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 7636
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
LAST week the world’s average daily temperature exceeded 17C three times, having never reached that high before.
While scientists believe that the natural weather phenomenon El Niño is partly responsible, they also highlight the impact of emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – emissions that are a direct result of human activity.
With experts predicting that the average global temperature will increase even more in the coming weeks, the need for us all to do more to look after the Earth couldn’t be more pressing. The good news is that, however daunting and out of control the climate emergency may seem, there are things that we can do to help the situation.
One scheme that is playing a part in helping the planet is being run by HMP Five Wells in partnership with The Salvation Army. Prisoners are recycling items that otherwise would probably have gone to landfill by creating bags and refurbishing furniture, which are then sold in Salvation Army charity shops.
‘It’s an excellent example of circular economy partnership,’ says Bernie Thomas, the circular economy and sustainability manager of the Salvation Army Trading Company, in a feature in this week’s War Cry ‘Items that had been written off and would otherwise be disposed of are being reclaimed and lovingly restored into new and appealing products. It is a regenerative business – we’re helping people gain new skills and helping protect the planet.’
Regeneration, restoration and renewal are all central to the Christian faith that is at the heart of The Salvation Army. As Bernie tells us: ‘We can be too quick to write off people and stuff.’
Christians believe that no one is beyond being transformed by Jesus Christ. His offer of love, acceptance and change is available to everyone – whatever our past activities may have been.