The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church
What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
WAR CRY Issue No 7529
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Editor-in-Chief: Major Mal Davies Published weekly by The Salvation Army © The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell, on sustainably sourced paper
Your local Salvation Army centre
INFO 2 • WAR CRY • 12 June 2021
EDITOR From the editor’s desk
THE news last week that there are now fewer countries on the UK government’s green list was greeted with disappointment by holidaymakers hoping they would be able to have a break in the sun without having to quarantine on their return. The annual trip to a foreign country has been a regular part of many people’s lives for years and will be sorely missed if the Covid-19 pandemic means it cannot happen for another year. Although holidays are possible within the UK, often there is as much excitement in boarding a plane or a boat as there is in setting foot on a distant shore. Not all journeys from one country to another, though, are fun and carefree. Monday (14 June) marks the beginning of Refugee Week, and in this week’s War Cry we speak with Jonathan Hajebi, who moved from Iran to the UK with his mother when he was just two years old. They fled because of the persecution that they and other Christians were facing. In the interview, Jonathan describes the challenges that refugees can encounter. ‘They’re living in fear and surrounded by unknowns,’ he says, adding: ‘We need to support and look after our refugees, because they’re our neighbours.’ Jonathan also explains how he believes God looks on those who leave their homes in the hope of finding a better and safer life. ‘God’s love stays the same, wherever the refugees have come from,’ he asserts. People around the world experience God’s love every day, regardless of who they are or where they are from. One Bible writer put it this way: ‘God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die’ (John 3:16 Contemporary English Version). Anyone can experience God’s eternal love and presence. All we have to do is put our faith in him and follow his plan for our lives. If we do, every day can have hope, wherever we are and whatever we are doing.
FEATURES
CONTENTS
What is The Salvation Army?
3
On the record
Singer and radio station head on the music
that has moved him
5
Seeking sanctuary
Growing up in the UK as an immigrant
8
Injection of hope
Senior nurse describes the Covid-19
vaccination rollout in Somerset
REGULARS
12
Team Talk
13
Now, There’s a Thought!
14
Puzzles
15
War Cry Kitchen
5
8
15