From the editor’s desk
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.
LAST year, when people gathered to remember members of the armed forces who had lost their lives in conflict, not many would have imagined that a war would break out in Europe in the months that followed. The scenes we have seen from Ukraine serve as a stark reminder of the devastation that armed conflict brings. Millions of innocent people have had their way of life taken from them, and many lives – military and civilian – have been lost. Although British forces are not engaged in the fighting, the shock of a war being waged so close to home brings new significance to the acts of remembrance that will be observed this weekend. Sadly, violence and war are as much a reality in this century as in the last. Even though we do not have a war being fought in the UK, other types of violence are going on in the country. There is gang-related crime, structural inequality, racism, discrimination and bullying in schools. When confronted with these realities, it can be easy to despair. But we can make a difference to the part of the world in which we live. As we report in this week’s War Cry, tomorrow (13 November) is not only Remembrance Sunday but also World Kindness Day. It is a day that celebrates and promotes good deeds and encourages us to think how we can be kinder people. Cathy Le Feuvre has co-authored a book on kindness, and she tells us: ‘There are little acts of kindness that we can carry out. It can be as simple as letting someone pass through a door before you or giving someone your seat on the bus or the Tube. It’s just about being aware of maybe what people are needing rather than being totally engrossed in ourselves.’ Perhaps this weekend, as well as taking time to ad the War C remember, we can take time to look for ways in e re ry v ’ which we can be kind to others. u
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 7602
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Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN
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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 Mal Davies
FEATURES
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Of all people Festival celebrates the humanities
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‘He was brave and conscientious’ The story of one of the first black officers of the First World War
INFO
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Battle fatigues Film depicts the horrors of war
Published weekly by The Salvation Army © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 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 CKN Print, Northampton, on sustainably sourced paper
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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
All kinds of everything The importance of Kindness Day REGULARS
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War Cry World
12 Team Talk 13 Now, There’s a Thought! 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: REINER BAJO