War Cry 9 March 2024

Building for the future at Girls’ Brigade

Five stars

WAR CRY

Which of these women will win at the Oscars?

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THE women in films nominated for this year’s Oscars play a colourful array of on-screen roles. Carey Mulligan has been shortlisted in the best actress category for her portrayal of Felicia, the wife of composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, in the biopic Maestro. In the romantic drama Past Lives, nominated for best picture, Greta Lee is a playwright who still inspires devotion in a childhood friend. And in Barbie, Margot Robbie plays a fashionable toy doll.

With the unprecedented recognition of the role that women play as directors – three of their films being nominated for best picture – it has seemed like a notable year at the Oscars.

While the Academy is celebrating the roles of women in the film industry, this week’s War Cry highlights some of the other roles that they play in the world.

Our Team Talk takes a look at Mother’s Day, and ahead of yesterday’s International Women’s Day – which on 8 March every year marks the achievements of women and calls for equality – we spoke with the CEO of Girls’ Brigade in England and Wales, Judith Davey-Cole.

Judith tells us how the organisation changes lives by ‘helping girls build confidence, make friends, develop leadership skills and discover Jesus’. By showing how women in the Bible and Christian women leaders have brought ‘something additional and transformational’ to the world, Girls’ Brigade hopes to encourage young women today to follow the same path.

While Judith is heading up hundreds of Girls’ Brigade community groups, Bridget Callaghan is at the forefront of a business making a difference to young people in London. The restaurant that she helped to establish not only serves slices of pizza but also provides much-needed mentoring, training and employment opportunities.

Bridget was fired up to start the pizzeria by the same faith that motivates Judith. Jesus, says Bridget, ‘engaged with those on the margins and those that were suffering. His challenge to us is not to ignore what’s on our doorstep.’

Driven by their Christian faith, women are changing lives for the better. It’s something to celebrate.

INFO INFO

TIn it to win it

HERE will be lights, cameras and plenty of reaction when the world’s biggest film stars get together in Hollywood for the Oscars on Sunday (10 March). Celebrating the achievements of those working in the industry, the Academy awards pinpoint golden moments of cinema from the past 12 months.

This year, for the first time in history, three of the nominations in the best picture category have been directed by a woman. But Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Celine Song’s Past Lives are up against some tough competition, including Flowers of the Killer Moon, directed by Martin Scorsese, and Oppenheimer, which bagged seven Baftas last month, one of them best director for Christopher Nolan.

Women have also been making their mark as producers, having been officially listed for 6 of the 10 films up for best picture. One of them is the actress Emma Stone, who could be in for a busy night. Not only is the film she produced, Poor Things, up for best picture, but she is also in the running for best actress for the same film. It’s an award she has won before – for La La Land in 2017 – but does

Women are hoping to make their mark at the Oscars

past success give her an edge this time?

It’s hard to say. Fellow best actress nominee Annette Bening has been shortlisted in the same category four times before, most recently for The Kids Are All Right in 2010. An article on Vogue’s website argues that ‘if anyone was owed a statuette for their career more broadly, it’s surely her’.

In Nyad she plays real-life swimmer Diana Nyad, who, from 2010, made multiple attempts to swim 110 miles nonstop from Cuba to Florida. It was a feat no one had accomplished before, so it was unthinkable that a woman in her 60s could rise to the challenge.

soul ignited by a purpose, a mission?’

Perhaps that promise of life ‘fully awake’, rather than drifting without direction, is part of what captured the imagination of the Academy. Maybe it’s something that audiences can relate to as well.

Young or old, we need never feel that it’s impossible to find fresh purpose in life. When we make it our mission to follow God’s direction, our days can be more meaningful and fulfilling than we believed possible.

Days can be more fulfilling than we believed

In the film, Diana tells friend Bonnie (Jodie Foster, who is nominated for best supporting actress) about her determination to succeed. She tries to convince Bonnie to be her coach, explaining that age is no barrier to great achievement.

‘I’m not done,’ Diana says. ‘I have more in me and so do you. Come on – don’t you want to be fully engaged, fully awake, your

With God by our side, we can find a strength to make it through the most difficult episodes in life. We can receive his forgiveness for our less-than-honourable actions and show forgiveness to bring an end to recurring hurts. We can have a hope that nothing can keep down.

One Bible writer explained that God’s ‘power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine’ (Ephesians 3:20 Contemporary English Version). In other words, when we put our faith in God, what lies ahead is full of possibility.

Whatever our story, he can transform our future.

Emma Stone, Annette Bening, Greta Gerwig, Justine Triet and Celine Song are in the running for Academy awards

ALAMY

Team talk Team talk

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j TEA M TALK

Mother’s Day backstory is welcome

Claire Brine gives her take on a story catching the attention of War Cry reporters

IT’S hard to know what to think about Mother’s Day, which this year falls on Sunday 10 March. Many people enjoy a day of celebrating their mum – and it’s good that children of all ages can express gratitude for the women who helped to shape their lives.

But for others, a day focused on motherhood is difficult. Mother’s Day can cause feelings of longing, pain, sadness, loss and regret –and there’s no easy way through such emotions. Increasingly, as I get older, I find myself thinking: forget cards and flowers – perhaps the best gift we could take into Mother’s Day is sensitivity, because we never know what people are going through.

Over the past few weeks, it has been almost impossible to walk down the high street without seeing shop window adverts urging us to ‘give her the best Mother’s Day ever’. I find it interesting, because the origins of Mother’s Day are not only about the person that families refer to as ‘Mum’. Mothering Sunday, as it was first called, was tied up with going to church.

The best gift is sensitivity

Back in the Middle Ages, people who had moved away from their childhood home would return once a year to their home town to visit their ‘mother’ church. The custom always took place on a Sunday in the middle of Lent – and became an occasion for family reunions.

While Mother’s Day has evolved, with celebrations today looking very different from those of the Middle Ages, I like the idea of people paying a visit to the first church they ever encountered. For many of us with a Christian faith, our first church is where our story of getting to know God began. I am also reminded that, when church communities are fulfilling their nurturing role, they are always open to welcome people – with or without faith – who are seeking a new understanding of life.

They do so because they are reflecting God, who – on any day of the year – welcomes us all, whatever our failures or hurts.

When we build a relationship with him, we can encounter an everlasting love that never fails.

WAR talk talk

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Actor makes his Mark in churches

AN actor who has learnt the entirety of Mark’s Gospel is performing the text at churches across the UK in the run-up to Easter.

Matt Britton, an actor and teacher from Manchester, first staged the 16 chapters of Mark last year, performing in churches, schools, prisons, residential homes for elderly people and centres which host groups for those affected by homelessness.

He tells the War Cry that his one-man presentation of the Gospel features ‘no set, special lighting or gimmicks’, enabling him to perform in a variety of spaces.

‘It’s just me, inhabiting the characters and seeing what happens when I allow the power of the Gospel to speak for itself,’ he says. ‘The tour isn’t about taking the Gospel and “performing” it, but it’s about getting eye contact with people and telling them: “This happened.”’

Matt performing ‘Mark’s Gospel’

WAR CRY

Dan gets ‘sense of perspective’ from God

TELEVISION and radio presenter Dan Walker spoke to The Times about how his Christian faith influences the way he carries out his work.

‘It makes me better at my job,’ he said. ‘I’m a better listener because of it.’

The Channel 5 news presenter and host of Classic FM’s breakfast show went on to explain how his beliefs have also helped him to cope with the pressures and challenges that come with conducting news interviews.

‘People tell me horrible stuff every single day. They shout at you. They send you terrible messages. They tell you what they think of you particularly when you interview politicians, and it genuinely doesn’t affect me,’ he said. ‘I know I’m valued by God and that gives me a real sense of perspective. I don’t allow the praise to take me too high and I don’t allow the rubbish to drag me too low.’

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Parents want kids’ Jesus film

PARENTS who are not Christian would welcome the making of a film about the life of Jesus for their children, new research has found.

Jesus Film Project – an organisation that delivers the story of Jesus via film to countries across the world – ran focus groups internationally and found that non-Christian and nominal Christian parents in the UK appreciate religious films because they believe that they teach good values and educate children about other belief systems.

Parents of all religions felt that it was important to expose their children to Jesus so they can decide what to believe for themselves.

Silent discos are chic, say clergy

CHURCH leaders have defended the silent discos taking place in cathedrals across the UK, the BBC News website reported.

After a petition was launched against the hosting of silent discos in cathedrals such as Canterbury, the Rev Jessica Fellows, vicar of All Saints Church in Worcester, which hosts silent discos, said: ‘I love the idea of people dancing on a Saturday night and praying on a Sunday morning. I think we can do both. We need people to come in and have fun – it‘s not all boring and serious.

‘The church is meant to be a creative place. How could we host more silent discos or places where people could connect?’

The Rev Michael Darkins, the priest-in-charge for the parish of St Leonard in Hythe, Kent, has put on concerts at his 11thcentury church, as well as Warhammer game nights, where people play a tabletop battle game.

‘Anything that helps people feel comfortable and welcome in these spaces is going to have a positive effect,’ he said. ‘It’s reawakening that sense of churches as being community spaces that they historically always have been.’

Studies find faith has helped in pandemic

RELIGIOUS faith helps people cope with adversity, research into the Covid-19 pandemic suggests.

Studies conducted at the University of Cambridge found that people of faith may have experienced lower levels of unhappiness and stress during the UK’s lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 and after Covid infections in the US.

‘Selection biases make the wellbeing effects of religion difficult to study,’ said Professor Shaun Larcom, co-author of the latest study. ‘However, the Covid-19 pandemic was an extraordinary event affecting everyone at around the same time, so we could gauge the impact of a negative shock to wellbeing right across society. This provided a unique opportunity to measure whether religion was important for how some people deal with a crisis.’

In the UK study, survey data collected from 3,884 people during the first two national lockdowns was analysed and compared to three waves of data from before the pandemic.

It found that, while lockdowns were associated with a universal increase in unhappiness, the average increase was 29 per cent lower for people who described themselves as belonging to a religion.

Professor Larcom said: ‘It may be that religious faith builds resilience, and helps people cope with adversity by providing hope, consolation and meaning in tumultuous times.’

Girl power

Ahead of International Women’s Day (Friday 8 March), JUDITH DAVEY-COLE, CEO of Girls’ Brigade, spoke to us about the organisation’s work to empower girls and young women

Interview by Sarah Olowofoyeku

GENDER equality has come a long way, but there’s still a lot further to go, says Judith Davey-Cole, the new CEO of Girls’ Brigade in England and Wales. And her organisation wants to help society on that journey.

‘Girls’ Brigade has an awesome history in transforming lives by empowering girls and women to serve in their communities,’ she says. ‘That has included fundraising for projects, intergenerational work in care homes and local action to address issues such as climate change. Girls’ Brigade is foundational in helping girls build confidence, make friends, develop leadership skills and discover Jesus.’

While the organisation’s core mission is to encourage girls ‘to seek, serve and follow Christ’, Judith says that everyone is welcome, whatever their world view. Each Girls’ Brigade group is attached to a local church.

‘This is really a strength,’ she says. ‘Churches can support our ministry by collaborating on projects that meet the particular needs of an area and people. And we help bring girls who are in the

early days in their faith journey into the arms of the Church.’

Judith was appointed to Girls’ Brigade last year, and says that she hopes to ‘impact more girls’ lives, more deeply’. While she has seen progress being made in society, there are still issues that Judith wants to address.

‘If you look at the number of women in parliament at the moment, it’s nowhere near genderbalanced. There are still lots of blocks and barriers, there are opportunities that are more closed to women and girls, there’s the gender pay gap. So we want to create a space where we can build confidence so that girls can find a way forward.

Girls’ Brigade wants to transform more lives

‘I met a young lady, who was about 16 or 17, who was boxing professionally. That’s not a sport that women are typically associated with, but she’s got a very supportive family and she has been in Girls’ Brigade for years, so she is finding a way through challenging situations and succeeding. And she is motivated to share her story with other people. In doing so, she inspires and gives them confidence.

‘Girls’ Brigade wants to do more to create a platform for stories to be shared, to help transform more lives.’

One aspect of Girls’ Brigade’s work that Judith finds particularly exciting is building leaders of the future.

‘There’s tons of research about the

Judith Davey-Cole

value of women’s leadership and the benefit of gender-diverse boards or gender-diverse senior leadership teams,’ she says. ‘They bring better financial performance, better staff retention, better staff engagement. Women bring different perspectives on relationships and decision-making. Gender-balanced teams tend to be more innovative and creative.

‘Christian women leaders bring something additional and transformational. I love learning about women in the Bible. Their leadership roles are sometimes a bit harder to see, but they are there. At Girls’ Brigade we want to shine a light for the girls on that path that we all need to follow.’

Following Jesus has made a difference to Judith’s own life. She grew up in a Christian family, but her faith was tested a few years ago when her son died.

My faith is stronger than ever

‘It knocked me for six, and I really started to doubt,’ she says. ‘At the time, I thought I’d lost my faith, but looking back now, I realise that I hadn’t lost it, I just couldn’t see it. I was in such a black place, but the light and grace of the local church helped me through, and since then my faith is stronger than ever.

‘I now realise that blessings are like diamonds or coal. They’re formed under intense pressure. I wouldn’t wish my awful situation on anyone, but it has brought about blessings that I would’ve never imagined. The strength of my faith is one

of those things. I’m absolutely committed to the mission and ministry of Girls’ Brigade and to sharing my faith through enabling and equipping girls and young women.’

Judith’s faith affects the way that she leads too.

‘I’m a values-based leader,’ she explains. ‘I work with organisations whose values resonate with my Christian background. I try to love others as I do myself, as it says in the Bible. I try my best to be strong and courageous, to speak out for others and help others speak up for themselves, and to walk humbly with God.

‘It’s possible to do that in your professional life just as it is in your personal life. If we can live like that, God’s light will be reflected in us and help light the path for others.’

Girls’ Brigade young leaders engage in a team-building activity

A PIZZA THE ACTION

BRIDGET CALLAGHAN tells how she set up a sourdough pizza restaurant to help underprivileged young people find their feet in employment

Interview by Emily Bright

SUSTAINABLE sourdough is the order of the day at pizza restaurant and social enterprise Well Kneaded. Now situated in Earlsfield, southwest London, the business started in nearby Battersea in 2011 as a result of a desire to support the young people living on an estate.

Back then, Well Kneaded founder Bridget Callaghan was building bridges with young adults in the community as a church youth worker for St Peter’s Battersea. In a time of high youth unemployment, Bridget spoke with her future husband Laurence and with her university friend Bryony Lewis about creating a business to employ these young people.

‘We thought that food offered a low barrier to entry for people, and there

are lots of different roles in food,’ she explains. ‘We started it as a two-year project after talking to people within our church networks, who put up some money to start something low-cost.

‘We began with a street food van because that was the lowest-risk, lowestcost way. Although lots of my family are in hospitality, I hadn’t personally run a restaurant before, and that would have seemed like a big leap. The van’s first pitch was right behind Clapham Junction on the Winstanley estate.’

Continued funding and investment in the venture came from members of her church.

With a strong base of support, in December 2018, Bridget and Laurence were able to open a high street restaurant

in Earlsfield, using sustainably sourced ingredients.

Well Kneaded also now runs pizza workshops and caters for events with a wide range of dishes, including pizza, slow-roasted meats, pasta dishes and sharing plates. Most memorably, Bridget and her team once catered for a BBC wrap party, where one of Well Kneaded’s long-term staff, Carl, met his hero, Ian McKellen.

But food is only one slice of the business. Primarily, Well Kneaded is focused on the social impact it can have on young people, and it equips them for the future through mentoring, employment and training. The social enterprise receives referrals from churches and two youth charities, which work with the nearby Winstanley and Patmore estates.

Offering a 10 to 12-week programme for the young people, Well Kneaded teaches technical skills, explores the topic

CANDOUR CREATIVE

of sustainability and provides pastoral care. Some of the training takes place in a classroom, where the interns learn about customer service, food preparation, hygiene standards and management skills. To top it off, each intern is assigned a mentor to provide guidance, counselling and career advice.

The second stage of the internship offers handson experience. The young people have an opportunity to work in the restaurant or can source placements elsewhere in hospitality or farming through Well Kneaded’s networks. They can then try out different departments to get a fully rounded work experience.

Bridget. ‘We’re still in touch with almost all the young people that have come through our doors in one way or another. Some still pop back in from time to time. We want to offer young people a place where they know they can get support for as long as they need it.’

We began with a street food van

Bridget was also keen to expand the pastoral care offered and so set up a dedicated charity, the WK Foundation, to provide a greater focus on the mentoring of young people. A revamped training programme, which will be launched in the autumn, aims to take a cohort of up to 10 interns.

‘One guy had come out of prison, and the pastor of St Peter’s had somehow bumped into him. He started coming to church, got involved with our internship and was with us for a couple of years.

‘We offered him a job, but he struggled with the boundaries of work. We had to let him go at one point, as there are some boundaries that can’t be crossed for everyone’s safety and wellbeing.

‘But, with the support of his church, he found holistic healing, and has ended up running his own food and social media businesses in America. I wouldn’t think Well Kneaded alone could take credit for the transformation, but we did provide a platform.’

The support system for young people lasts long after the internship has ended –the restaurant’s doors always remain open to returning graduates.

Reviewing why her social enterprise’s mentoring of young people is so important, Bridget cites the example of someone who came to Well Kneaded and turned his life around.

Running a business while also catering to young people’s needs sounds like a tough juggling act – but Bridget takes heart from her Christian faith, which

‘We try to provide continuity,’ says Turn to page 10 f

Bridget making pizzas in the Well Kneaded kitchen

MILES WILLIS

From page 9

she has learnt to rely on since her university days. She believes that Jesus models what it means to connect with a community.

‘He engaged with those on the margins and those that were suffering,’ she says. ‘His challenge to us is to not ignore what’s on our doorstep.’

Even though her faith inspires her, running a social enterprise can take its toll, practically and emotionally. During her hardest days, Bridget has had to look hard to see where God is at work.

‘Occasionally we’ve gathered people to pray for Well Kneaded, specifically in challenging times, like during Covid or over the past two or three years where we’ve made losses,’ she says. ‘We’ve had to shut two sites because they weren’t performing. The business is now running well, but we’re paying back debts from Covid.

‘We want to be a place that employs people, but because of the problems we went through we don’t have as many jobs, which leaves me wondering: “God, are you really there? What’s going on? Do you want us to carry on or is this a sign that we should stop?” That’s been a

challenging question to reconcile.’

Yet even in the trickiest of times, she knows that God is in charge.

‘People say that cash flow is king. Thankfully, that’s not right –God is King. I need inspiration to keep me on track, and I find that in him. I also love partnering with God in prayer.’

One guy had come out of prison

Bridget has learnt that, as she turns to God for answers, he gives her the freedom to do what she thinks is best. He also invites her to put her faith in him when she doesn’t see a way forward.

‘Sometimes God speaks clearly, and other times he allows us to grow through us making our own decisions,’ she explains. ‘He says: “Trust me, keep going.” It has been a constant conversation, sometimes more of a wrestle and a wrangle, with lots of faithfulness along the way.

‘People who run a business, talk about strategic planning and forecasting, but the reality is that there are many unknowns. There have been many times where my faith is the only thing that has been sustaining me.’

Bridget’s first encounter with Christianity occured when she was a teenager at school. She used to have conversations about faith with her Christian friend while heading out for something to eat after playing sport together.

Then, while at Leeds University, she signed up to an Alpha course – a weekly programme that helps people to explore the Christian faith. ‘To this day, I don’t know how I ended up on it,’ she admits.

While on the course, she met Well Kneaded co-founder Bryony Lewis – and received an answer to prayer that would transform her life.

‘Through the course, I learnt more about who Jesus was,’ says Bridget. ‘But there was a particular day that my brother had had an accident. He had fallen off a roof and hurt his foot, to the extent that the medical staff thought they were going to have to amputate.

‘The Alpha session was on how and why we should pray, and they asked if anyone wanted prayer. Everybody was silent. I said: “OK, fine. You can pray

The Well Kneaded team outside the pizzeria in Earlsfield

for my brother.” I remember saying to Jesus: “I know you don’t have to heal my brother’s foot, but if you do, I’ll stop making all my excuses. I’ll give faith a go.’

A breakthrough in her brother’s condition followed.

‘When I picked up the phone at Christmas, my mum said: “It’s a miracle. The surgeon has said that the x-ray looks different to how it did the day before.”

That news was a huge turning point of God breaking into my reality and changing something very clearly, with somebody who I loved.’

Bridget decided that this was God at work in her life and became a Christian. But she was wary of what he might ask of her, so she issued a clear ultimatum.

‘My ultimatum was: “I’ll do anything but work for a Christian charity, and/or do youth work,”’ she laughs. ‘It is ironic that God has taken me down exactly the road that I requested not to go down.’

friend. Those plans were thrown into uncertainty when her friend revealed that she wanted to sign up for a year-long Christian internship.

Then, out of the blue, different people handed Bridget job application forms for a national youth mentoring organisation. The common theme convinced her that the role was worth pursuing, so she applied and was hired. A career in youth work followed, eventually leading to her current role as a restaurateur.

Jesus’ friendship has been a complete lifesaver

Some time after graduating, Bridget was making plans to work for a few months, save up and go travelling with a

From those early days at university –when she saw God at work in her brother’s life – to the present-day demands of running a high street restaurant, there has been one common denominator that has delivered Bridget through her biggest challenges. Her relationship with Jesus

has, she says, given her the strength to face each new day.

‘Jesus is steady and ever-present, unchanging but also unpredictable,’ she reflects. ‘His proximity and his friendship have been a complete lifesaver over the years. The mixture of his gentleness and challenge is inspiring.

‘My faith points me directly to God, who is somebody that I can trust. Faith doesn’t guarantee success, but it does guarantee that God will be with me.’

One of Well Kneaded’s trainees teaching a pizza workshop

YOUR prayers are requested for Carol, that she will heal and gain strength after her recent time in hospital.

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

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.

Andrew Stone looks at the Lord’s Prayer

Hands together, eyes closed And lead us not into temptation

‘MY boy’s not a bad lad really,’ explains a parent to the teacher. ‘He’s just got in with the wrong crowd and has been led astray.’

The teacher shifts uncomfortably in her chair. Others have said the same about their child during the course of the school’s parents’ evening. It is a standard excuse used to defend a child who is not behaving in class.

In many instances, there may be some truth in what those parents say. The friends that a child chooses can have a big effect on the way they behave. Even as we get older, we can be influenced by the company we keep.

We fail to see what is right or wrong

Certain friends may encourage us to make bad decisions that negatively affect us and, sometimes, our loved ones. And while it can be easy to be led astray, it can be hard to recognise when it is happening. We may be on such good terms with those who are having a bad influence on us that we fail to see what is right or wrong.

Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the

For ever and ever.

Amen

But God is on hand to help us stay on the right path. He will influence us only for good.

In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray: ‘Lead us not into temptation.’ The Bible also says: ‘God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else’ (James 1:13 New Living Translation).

Temptation does not come from God. If we follow his direction for our lives, we can be confident that he will never tell us to do the wrong thing. Following the crowd can lead us into trouble. But following God’s guidance will lead to a better life for us and the people we love.

Amen Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International

QUICK QUIZ

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In which year were women first allowed to vote in the UK?

Which singer-songwriter is the only woman to have reached No 1 with all her studio albums?

Who was the longest-reigning queen in world history?

Which actress won an Academy award in 2012 for her role as Minny Jackson in the film The Help?

In 2017, who played the first female Doctor in the TV series Doctor Who?

Who is the author of the novels White Teeth, Swing Time and NW?

Back with a bang

British Science Week challenges stereotypes

Feature by Emily Bright

AN exploration of the ways in which the subject of science shapes our lives is at the centre of British Science Week, which began on Friday (8 March). The annual event aims to help people develop a greater appreciation for science, technology, engineering and maths.

Organisers at the British Science Association are making a variety of activities and online resources available. Wildlife presenter Liz Bonnin features on a webinar that explores how our seasons are changing over time. Primary school students are invited to help two scientists solve an escape room by tackling invertebrate-themed tasks in a BBC Teach live online lesson. Plus, the National Farmers’ Union is hosting digital work experience sessions, where children can virtually follow a vet and a farmer as they go about their day.

Everyone has something valuable to offer

The diversity of activities reflects a wider aim: to break down stereotypes. British Science Week’s website lists more than 40 profiles of people from a wide range of backgrounds who work in sectors which are not traditionally associated with science but which have a scientific element. Among them are a chef, a video game developer, a motorsport team owner and an AI fitness app creator. Organisers hope to illustrate how science should be open to everyone, and that everyone has something valuable to offer.

Although the principle of encouraging diversity is highly valued today, some people have championed it for centuries. A Bible writer once used a biological concept to say that we should celebrate each other in all our variety.

He reflected: ‘It takes many parts to make a single body… If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honoured, the whole body will be happy’ (1 Corinthians 12:20 and 26 Contemporary English Version). He understood the importance of valuing one another to create a healthy culture.

The writer was inspired by the example of Jesus, who sought out even those who felt overlooked and taught them how much they were loved and valued by God.

Whatever our background, we can all encounter God’s love and acceptance today. That’s why it is worth exploring faith for ourselves.

Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the

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DIANE ABBOTT

EMMELINE PANKHURST

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

HARRIET TUBMAN

JANE AUSTEN

LEAH WILLIAMSON

MARGARET THATCHER

MARIE CURIE

MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS

MARY SEACOLE

MICHELLE OBAMA

MOTHER TERESA

ROSA PARKS

ROSALIND FRANKLIN

SERENA WILLIAMS

VERA ATKINS

MAKES 6

Bubble and squeak cakes

INGREDIENTS

1tbsp oil

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas Mark 6 and grease a baking tray.

1 red onion or some spring onions or shallots, finely chopped

450g leftover mashed potato

300g leftover mixed cooked vegetables (eg green beans, carrots and peas), chopped

25g hard cheese, grated

Salt and ground black pepper

Plain flour

25g butter, melted, plus extra for greasing

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

1 small lettuce (approx 150g)

1 leek

1.2l vegetable stock

150ml single cream

Heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the onion, spring onions or shallots until soft. Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the onions to a large bowl. Add the mashed potato, cooked vegetables and cheese to the bowl and season well.

Mix well and divide into 6 portions, then shape each portion into a round cake.

Sprinkle a little flour on a plate and coat each cake on both sides.

Place the cakes on the baking tray and brush with the melted butter.

Bake the bubble and squeak cakes in the oven for 25 minutes. Serve immediately and freeze any uneaten portions for later.

Lettuce soup

METHOD

Trim the lettuce and leek, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a large saucepan with the vegetable stock. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool a little, then transfer to a food processor or blender and whizz until very smooth.

Pour the soup back into the saucepan and stir in the

Prayer should precede every important decision that we make

Joyce Meyer