What is The Salvation Army?
From the editor’s desk
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.
NOT only is this the final War Cry before Christmas, it is also the last issue of 2021 – a year that has seen more than its fair share of uncertainty and tragedy. Therefore, it seems almost as if it were inevitable that, as we go to press at the end of this turbulent year, the whole world should be holding its breath, waiting to see how the Omicron variant is going to affect the festive season and the months to come. The world has been living with Covid-19 for more than two years now, and it is still not clear how the pandemic will impact our lives in 2022. Since 2020, in the UK and Ireland, we have had times of relative freedom from restrictions and other times when it has felt as though most of society has shut down. It has not been easy for anyone. Through it all, the War Cry has continued to bring stories of hope and acts of outstanding kindness that have been underpinned by people’s Christian faith. In this week’s issue, we report on a Salvation Army centre in northwest London where hundreds of toys are being distributed to children who otherwise may not receive a Christmas present this year. ‘Some people in communities feel very alone, like there is nobody with them,’ Lieutenant Jenni Barker tells us in the article, before adding that providing these toys is ‘one of the ways in which we can make Jesus visible and help people to encounter him, but also show people that they’re not alone, that there is kindness and love in the world.’ The War Cry regularly tells the stories of times when that kindness and love is demonstrated. It also tells how, for those who believe, the Christian faith brings hope in even the most uncertain times. The best way to celebrate this Christmas would be to decide to follow Jesus and receive ad the War C e re ry v the strength that his presence can bring. ’ 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 7556
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Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk
CONTENTS
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 Mal Davies 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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INFO Your local Salvation Army centre
2 • WAR CRY • 18 December 2021
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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
FEATURES
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Delivering drama
Call the Midwife Christmas special
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Tuned in
Radzi Chinyanganya takes on a
musical number on ITV
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Toy story
How donated gifts are making kids happy
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Mother knows best
Joanna Scanlan on playing Ma Larkin
12 God in question
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Documentary examines role
of religion today
13 Hope is in season
A Christmas message from the
international leader of The Salvation Army
REGULARS
14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: HUGO GLENDINNING