Homeless World Cup player on her goals
Surf contest makes waves
Competitors get on board with Christian-run event
Author explores the life after this life
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.
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
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major
Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow
Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku
Staff Writer: Emily Bright
Staff Writer: Claire Brine
Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk
Graphic Designer: Mark Knight
Graphic Designer: Natalie Adkins
Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk
The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 1 Champion Park London SE5 8FJ
Tel: 0845 634 0101
Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org
Founder: William Booth
General: Lyndon Buckingham
Territorial leaders: Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main
Editor-in-Chief: Major Julian Watchorn
Your local Salvation Army centre
From the editor’s
Surfer Phil Williams enjoys ‘a dawnie’ – paddling out to surf at sunrise. Actually, Phil Williams enjoys paddling out to surf full stop.
Phil is the national director of Christian Surfers UK, which organises the Jesus Surf Classic, an annual competition for surfers, whatever their world view. Phil’s view of the world, though, is shaped by his Christian faith. He sees the ocean as ‘God’s playground’.
In this week’s issue of the War Cry, he says: ‘Every single wave is different. There’s beauty everywhere too. While you’re looking out to sea, waiting for the next wave, you might see rainbows and dolphins and seals.’
He also finds, however, that while on the water his thoughts turn to tough situations. ‘Often you have time to think about the challenges of your life or to pray for people on your mind,’ he says.
Phil explains that the Jesus Surf Classic is ‘about serving the surfing community’. He says that he has had people ask him: ‘Phil, I’m going through something difficult – can you pray for me?’ Earlier this year he led the funeral of someone he knew in the surfing community.
Whatever community we live in, we know that life does not always go smoothly – people experience financial struggles, breakdowns in relationships, homelessness, unemployment, ill health and the ultimate pain of a losing a loved one.
Week by week, however, the War Cry carries stories of how, motivated by Jesus’ message of God’s love, The Salvation Army tries to bring hope and a better future to those facing difficult situations.
Author Mark Meynell, in an interview about his book Life after Life, talks about Jesus’ message as meaning that this ‘frightening’ world and even death need not ‘have the last word’. It’s a message that he describes as ‘both attractive and credible’.
It’s a message about hope – and everyone is invited to get on board.
INFO INFO
Gone missing
Mum’s disappearance highlights family’s problems in drama
TV preview: Apples Never Fall Saturdays BBC1 and iPlayer
By Claire Brine
Something’s not right. The Delaney kids can’t get hold of their mum on the phone – and their dad is acting suspiciously. Why does he seem totally unconcerned about the whereabouts of his missing wife? That’s the question facing US police detectives in the new drama series Apples Never Fall, based on the bestselling novel by Liane Moriarty.
When the Delaney kids meet up to discuss the disappearance of their mum, Joy (Annette Bening), they begin to fear the worst. She’s not replying to texts and nobody has seen her for two days.
Though the thought makes them uncomfortable, they wonder if their dad, Stan (Sam Neill), is hiding something from them. After all, they’ve witnessed tension in their parents’ relationship before. Once, after an argumentative family dinner, elder son Troy privately admitted to his mum that he was worried about her – but she appeared to brush off his concerns.
Although Joy had dreamt of spending lots of quality time with her kids after her retirement, the tension between her and Stan meant that the kids didn’t seem to want to spend lots of time with her. Suddenly, her life – which was once
active and fulfilling – felt empty and dull. Perhaps that’s why, when a wounded young woman knocked on the door late one night, claiming to be fleeing an abusive partner, Joy was quick to invite her in.
After helping Savannah (Georgia Flood) with her injuries, Joy found herself opening up about the hurts in her own life. Listening intently, Savannah showed compassion.
‘We all want to feel seen, loved, appreciated, otherwise you can just feel tossed away and lonely,’ Savannah said. ‘Next thing you know, you’re questioning everything.’
While the Delaney children have many questions about their mum’s subsequent disappearance (and Savannah’s possible involvement), there’s no doubting that Savannah’s observations are right: people do want to feel loved. We want to know that when we open up about our problems, we will be understood and supported.
Our families can be our biggest supporters through life – but sometimes our relationships with them are tricky. Perhaps we face times when we feel completely alone, because we find ourselves in a difficult situation that we
don’t know how to talk about. Maybe we fear that if our loved ones knew our past mistakes, they wouldn’t want to know us, so we hide who we are.
We don’t have to feel alone. Whatever we are going through, we can know God as a loving Father and trusted friend –and we can tell him everything that’s on our mind. When we confess our own wrongdoing to him, he always listens and offers forgiveness. When we don’t know what to do next, he can help us start a new chapter.
One Bible writer described God’s love as ‘infinitely long, wide, high, and deep’ (Ephesians 3:18 The Voice). It’s a truth which means that, whoever we are and whatever our troubles, we can turn to God and find acceptance.
We need not miss out – because of God’s concern for us, we can know that we are always seen and loved.
Joy treats Savannah’s injuries
j TEA M TALK
Young are finding help in old practices
Claire Brine gives her take on a story that has caught the attention of War Cry reporters
Growing up in a world that feels uncertain, ‘young people are looking to a higher power for comfort and guidance – and finding it online’, said an article in The Daily Telegraph
It explained that TikTok is ‘fast becoming the community hub for young Catholics all over the world to come together and connect’, with faith videos posted there known as ‘God Tok’. But, as well as appealing to believers, God Tok is attracting those who aren’t sure about faith.
A New York Catholic named Natalie, who had 3,000 followers on TikTok, spoke about how she was being messaged by a woman who had been raised with no religion and who wanted to know more about Christianity. Natalie had been ‘helping and guiding her’.
My faith has grown up with me
The article went on to say that young people’s interest in religion is also ‘having something of a renaissance’ offline. Chine McDonald, director of the religion and society think tank Theos, was quoted as suggesting why.
‘The young today have grown up in a time of perma-crisis, their formative years having taken place against a backdrop of a global pandemic, economic instability, the rise of populism, war and climate catastrophe,’ she said. ‘At times of uncertainty, it’s understandable that many would be drawn to the stability of ancient religious practice.’
What Chine says makes sense. And, as a Christian who found faith in my teens, I’m not surprised to learn that other young people are turning to it in their search for strength and meaning. When I was emotionally up and down in my teens and 20s, there was comfort to be found in a God who was unchanging, stable and ever-loving. It’s encouraging to hear that young people today are experiencing the same.
As I’ve grown up, though, I’ve found that my faith has grown up with me. Many of the questions and troubles of my youth have passed, but God continues to help me when I face new situations. He brings me peace and guides my next steps. And, whatever uncertainty lies ahead, I believe that he always will.
Homeless banking issue addressed
An HSBC banking scheme is allowing people who experience homelessness in north Wales to use a local Salvation Army’s address instead of a home address.
The Salvation Army in Wrexham and Rhyl has been referring people to the scheme, which is run in partnership with the charity Shelter.
One client, Steven, from Wrexham, found it difficult to apply for jobs when he was without a home for two years after the death of his partner from cancer. He had been their full-time carer, but was not on the tenancy agreement.
The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus team referred him to HSBC and two weeks later he found work at a local factory and now rents a room in a shared house.
Alyson Tindall-Read of the Employment Plus service in Wrexham said: ‘Having a bank account makes it easier to access the things people who are experiencing homelessness need to get back on their feet, including receiving benefits, getting paid a wage or salary and importantly paying rent and household bills.’
Wendy Morrice, local director for HSBC UK, said: ‘Our aim is to help customers to improve their financial stability and independence. Charities such as The Salvation Army and Shelter are key to this process.’
WAR talk talk Team talk Team talk ‘ ’
WAR CRYWnRLD
It’s Cold-pray
Coldplay have released a new song that has been ‘heralded as their most Christian offering to date’, reported Premier Christian News.
The band’s lead singer Chris Martin (pictured) is said to have grown up in the Church, and has written many lyrics with biblical imagery.
The news website said that the song ‘We Pray’ appears to ‘articulate a deep spiritual hunger’, with lyrics such as: ‘I pray that I don’t give up,/ Pray that I do my best’ and ‘so we pray/ For someone to come and show me the way’.
The track also includes a reference to Psalm 23, quoting its phrase ‘the valley of the shadow of death’.
Basket project shows baby love
A Salvation Army church in South Yorkshire has joined with other charities to provide baby essentials for new parents who are struggling financially.
Barnsley Baby Baskets, which operates out of Wombwell with Barnsley Salvation Army church, is supplying Moses baskets filled with babygrows, nappies, bibs, clothes, blankets and mattresses. It also offers toiletries for the mothers.
Midwives refer families to the project, which runs on donations from members of the public, knitting groups and from The Salvation Army’s trading arm, SATCoL.
Volunteer JC Trent, who co-ordinates Barnsley Baby Baskets, said: ‘When a midwife tells us, “This family has got nothing, so whatever you’ve got will help”, I say, “Fetch your car, because I can fill it for you”. We have midwives collecting things and they will be in tears because of what we can give. It’s amazing to be able to make a difference like this.’
Income ‘falls short of covering essentials’
More than a fifth of UK adults say that their income doesn’t cover the cost of core essentials, a Christians Against Poverty (CAP) report has revealed.
YouGov polling of 2,089 UK adults commissioned by the debt advice charity found that 22 per cent of people – equating to 11.8 million in the wider population – had a budget deficit.
The report added that, on average, CAP’s clients have a £273 monthly shortfall when it comes to affording basics such as food, energy bills and rent.
CAP wants the government to review the rate of social security and wages, to provide more support for church and charity initiatives such as warm spaces and fuel bank vouchers, and to promote better social housing and tenancy rights.
Stewart McCulloch, CAP’s chief executive officer, said: ‘This new report shows the brutal reality of living with a deficit budget. Whether it’s caring responsibilities, ill health or a lack of suitable work opportunities, many people have no or limited options in terms of increasing their income, which leaves them trapped in poverty.’
JC Trent (right) and her Barnsley Baby Baskets team
S U R F ’ S U P !
To mark the Jesus Surf Classic competition, which takes place in Croyde Bay this weekend, PHIL WILLIAMS of Christian Surfers UK reflects on his early years as a surfer and explains why he continues to see the ocean as God’s playground
Interview by Claire Brine
At the age of 14, Phil Williams would think nothing of hitchhiking from his home in Weston-superMare to Woolacombe Bay in north Devon, where he’d spend the daytime catching the waves on his surfboard, and the night sleeping under the stars in the sand dunes.
‘You probably wouldn’t get away with it these days,’ laughs Phil, who is the national director of Christian Surfers UK. ‘But back in the ’70s, that’s what we did. There were so few surf schools at the time, so I never had any lessons. I’m completely self-taught. And we didn’t have wetsuits back then either. When we went into the sea we just wore rugby tops and long johns. It was very cold.’
Now in his 60s, Phil remains an enthusiastic surfer (and skateboarder). He feels that there’s no better way to start the day than by ‘doing a dawnie’, which means paddling out to surf at sunrise.
‘The ocean is an incredible playground,’ he says. ‘And because I’m a Christian, I see it as God’s playground. Every single wave is different. There’s beauty everywhere too. While you’re looking out to sea, waiting for the next wave, you might see rainbows and dolphins and seals. Often you have time to think about the challenges of your life or to pray for people on your mind.
‘And on the days when the surf is particularly big, you get that excitement factor as well. I always feel better
after I’ve been surfing.’
This weekend, about 150 surfers will be heading to Croyde Bay in north Devon for a shortboard competition known as the Jesus Surf Classic.
Organised by Christian Surfers UK, ‘the Jesus’ is now in its 32nd year, making it one of the longest-running surfing competitions in the country. Although the event is run by Christians, anyone can enter or attend, regardless of their world view.
‘We have eight categories, ranging from the over-35s down to the under-12s,’ explains Phil. ‘Surfers in each category are assessed by a panel of judges, who decide their scores by looking at several key things, such as a competitor’s speed, power, flow and how in control they are. For example, if a surfer does a radical manoeuvre at the start of a wave, they will score much higher than if they were to execute it at the end of a wave, because the risk factor is so much bigger at the beginning.’
Over the weekend, while surfers are waiting to be called for their category,
many of them choose to take a break at the Christian Surfers UK marquee. There they have the chance to catch up with old friends, enjoy a barbecue and check out some of the Christian Surfers UK resources.
God loves surfers as much as he loves anyone else
‘This year we are launching our new Surfer’s Bible,’ says Phil. ‘It’s just like a normal New Testament, but inside there are QR codes which link readers to different surfers’ testimonies and videos. If any surfers don’t have a Bible, they are welcome to take one for free.
‘God loves surfers as much as he loves anyone else. That’s why we run the Jesus Surf Classic. It’s about serving the surfing community and sharing the gospel through words and action.’
Late on Sunday afternoon, once the
Phil Williams
Surfers take to the waves at last year’s event
competition has finished, all the surfers are invited to gather together for a final presentation, during which cash prizes and trophies are awarded to the winners of each category. A member of Christian Surfers UK also gives a short talk about their faith.
‘It’s not a hard-hitting preach,’ says Phil. ‘Often it’s a story of how someone came to faith. Sometimes, as a result of an individual sharing their testimony, we see surfers committing their lives to Christ, which is amazing. I’ve also had people reaching out to me, saying: “Phil, I’m going through something difficult –can you pray for me?” It’s a privilege to be asked.’
Earlier this year, Phil was asked to lead the funeral service of someone who was well known in the surfing community. The church in Newquay was packed.
‘I think a lot of surfers are spiritual people,’ he says. ‘There’s a phrase: “Once the surf gets over 20ft, there are no atheists.”
‘But, seriously, when you’re sitting on your board, watching the sun rise or taking in the beauty of the waves marching in, I think it’s only natural to question where it all comes from.’
While Phil hopes that this year’s Jesus Surf Classic will point surfers towards a God who loves them, he has found
that his own faith has been enriched by working in the surfing community.
‘After 32 years of organising the Jesus, my faith sack is full,’ he says. ‘Sometimes the weather has made it difficult to run surfing competitions, and I’ve faced situations without knowing how we are going to get through them. But at the same time, I always knew that, with God guiding me, by the time Monday morning came round, I’d be looking back and giving thanks for yet another wonderful weekend.’
CHRISTIAN
No more dead ends
No matter their social status, how successful or attractive they are, how much money they have or don’t have, how kind they are or how cruel, every human will face the same fate one day: death. For many people, that’s a fact that doesn’t bear thinking about; for others with serious health concerns or living in certain parts of the world, it’s a more present risk. But for everyone, its reality can be quite scary.
Mark Meynell, a former Whitehall chaplain, has written a book, Life after Life, which explains how death is not the end. As he speaks to me about what is often a taboo subject, he begins by explaining how death became a part of life.
Mark Meynell
In his new book about death, former chaplain MARK MEYNELL explains that, while dying is inevitable, we can still continue to experience life once our time on Earth is over
Interview by Sarah Olowofoyeku
‘God created life,’ he says, ‘and in the Bible that is symbolised by the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life. After they disobey God, the man and woman are thrown out of the garden to prevent them from getting to the Tree of Life. And that’s when death comes into the world – it’s a consequence of rejecting the God of life. This tells us that death is not how it’s meant to be.
‘That’s something we all instinctively feel. Even if somebody dies in their 80s or 90s, and you think, “Wow, they had a good life”, it still leaves a hole, there’s something still sad about it. Throughout the Old Testament, God shows that he hates death and is trying to provide a
way to overcome it.’
In his book, Mark explores passages in the Old Testament that refer to death not being the end. He writes about the practice of sacrifices, where animals were substitutes for humans, dying in their place to atone for wrongdoings. He explains that those sacrifices are hints towards what is recorded as taking place in the New Testament – Jesus’ death, which was the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s wrongdoing, and his resurrection, the pathway to eternal life.
‘Jesus’ death brings us life and his life brings us life,’ Mark tells me.
The impact of such a concept is farreaching, especially in the modern world.
‘The world seems to be getting crazier and crazier by the minute,’ he says: ‘You think: Where is God in all this? Why is this happening and how is it allowed to continue happening? It really throws your sense of security and stability. Everything seems to be in flux, there’s AI and there’s climate change. If you think the only thing we can do is try to close the ozone layer and replant the Amazon, you’ll throw everything into protecting the environment.
‘But that’s not very encouraging, because some good things are happening with the environment but most of the time things are getting worse. So it might be that this is the time to check out alternative beliefs to place your confidence in. Then you have to ask about each belief system: Is this attractive? And is there any evidence for it?
‘What’s amazing about the Christian message is that it’s both attractive and credible – that’s a very powerful combination. That’s what gives a degree of stability and confidence in the long term.
The message doesn’t necessarily tell me that everything’s going to be all right in the next week or in the next five years. It doesn’t promise an easy or safe life, but it gives something solid that outshines
everything else that is so flimsy. It offers an eternal confidence for life now. It changes everything and makes the world much less frightening because you can say: this doesn’t have the last word.’
Every good experience in life ends, but Heaven won’t be like that
Markexplains how the death and resurrection of Jesus can offer confidence for life in the present age and hope for what is after death.
‘The popular perception of eternity is that it must be boring,’ says Mark. ‘There’s this idea of Heaven as floaty, cloudy, open-toe sandals and guitars. It’s rather limp and unattractive. But there’s a verse in the Bible which talks about us having an inheritance that cannot spoil, perish or fade. That means it’s not going to stop, it’s for ever, but also the colours will be as bright after a millennium as they were at the start, if not brighter.
‘Every single good experience we have in life either ends, becomes boring or just stops working, but Heaven won’t be like
that. We can’t compare the reality of it to anything good we’ve experienced here.
‘And the most significant thing about Heaven is that Jesus is there. If you think about relationships with people you love, it doesn’t really matter what you’re doing together, you just want to be together.’
The miracle, says Mark, is that anyone can experience the hope of life with Jesus after this life.
‘There are no qualifications. You don’t have to be successful or good-looking. You just have to have the humility that says, “I can’t do it by myself.”
‘It’s the ultimate statistic: everybody dies. That’s why the Bible says death is our last enemy.
‘Nobody, not even tech gazillionaires in California, can defeat it. So why not put your stakes on the one who has already defeated it?’
Away for the football – but player is hoping for home advantage
As the Homeless World Cup begins in Seoul, Northern Ireland’s SORCHA McALEENAN talks about her goals and how The Salvation Army is assisting her
Interview by Philip Halcrow
After Euro 2024, the opening fixtures of the Uefa Nations League and the qualifiers for the Women’s Euro 2025, another regular international football competition gets under way today (Saturday 21 September). The Homeless World Cup is kicking off in Seoul.
It’s an Asian debut for the tournament and – after what was hailed as an exciting agreement announced last month –games are being streamed by Fifa.
It’s an exciting moment too for Sorcha McAleenan. The 24-year-old is a member of the squad representing Northern Ireland. Speaking just before going on a bonding trip with the other players, she described her hopes for the days ahead and told how the road to South Korea began when she spotted a poster at the Salvation Army accommodation for people experiencing homelessness where she has been staying.
‘We’ve got eight men and eight women going over,’ says Sorcha. ‘It’s four-a-side football. I’ve been looking forward to it.’
Since 2003 – when the first tournament was held in Graz, Austria – the Homeless World Cup has been aiming to change the lives of people who have been experiencing homelessness, giving people who have potentially felt isolated the opportunity to play together and represent their country. The annual tournament hosts two main competitions – one is made up of men’s teams and mixed men’s and women’s teams; the other is made up of women’s teams.
‘I played football when I was growing up,’ says Sorcha, who names Roy Keane as her favourite player and enjoys playing – as he did – centre midfield. ‘But I stopped when I was a teenager. Then I saw a poster that went up in the hostel and rang the number on it. It was only going to be little five-a-sides, so I thought I would go back and start enjoying
Sorcha McAleenan in her Northern Ireland kit
football again and see how it goes.’
It went well.
The sessions that Sorcha attends are run by Street Soccer NI, which was set up to help people make a positive change in their lives. Its philosophy is to use football to support people who are experiencing homelessness, who are trying to shake off addictions, who have been in prison or who are facing other obstacles that are preventing them making progress.
More than 200 people attend its weekly sessions in cities and towns throughout Northern Ireland, including Belfast.
‘We have good numbers there every week,’ says Sorcha. ‘Even people who aren’t going to the Homeless World Cup come along. It helps a lot of people, especially people who are homeless. It gives you something to look forward to and helps you just forget about your problems for a while.
‘To go to the Homeless World Cup, we had three trials, and I passed everything. Then we started training.’
Sorcha has been enjoying playing football at the same time as she works her
way to securing somewhere to live. She says she arrived at The Salvation Army’s Grosvenor House in Belfast just over a year ago, after a combination of ‘family issues’ led to her having to leave home. She moved in with her uncle but then, because there was no space, ended up at Grosvenor House.
We get all the support we need
‘We all have our own flats here,’ says Sorcha, who lives in one with her two young children. ‘I have basically everything in there – my own washing machine, my own cooking facilities. Everything I need.’
At the centre, staff liaise with the relevant people to help her in her pursuit of a permanent home. But their support goes beyond everyday practicalities. Sorcha speaks of how they hope to help residents’ wellbeing.
‘They arranged days out during the
summer and they have a little kids club every week with games. There’s also a chaplain we can speak to if we have any issues. We get all the support we need.’
Staff at Grosvenor House say they are proud at Sorcha’s selection.
Keyworker Joanne Wilson says: ‘When Sorcha told me that she was going training to see if she could be picked to go to Korea and play in an all-girls football team, I was delighted for her and said it could open many doors in the future with football.
‘Sorcha is an amazing mother and a brilliant football player.’
Joanne and the other staff will be keen to learn of Sorcha’s progress, as will her partner, who is taking on the childcare when she is away.
Looking forward to her time in Seoul, Sorcha says: ‘It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I want to make the most of it and enjoy it – and hopefully do well in the football.’
She also has goals that are much closer to home.
‘I just want to get settled into a house,’ she says, ‘and to start looking forward.’
The Northern Ireland squad at Windsor Park before heading off to the Homeless World Cup in Seoul
Your prayers are requested for Karl, who wants to receive mercy.
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
This week: Staines
with Major Val Mylechreest
We are open for conversation, enquiries and a listening ear every Monday to Friday. We’re the emergency food bank for the whole area.
We have close links with HMP Bronzefield, which is nearby. As people leave the prison, they pass the hall and when they come in, we’ll give them a helping hand rucksack with a starter kit. If they want company, somebody from the church will walk with them down to the train station.
Throughout the week, there are activities for all ages. For young children, we run Rainbow preschool, Butterflies toddlers group and Jingle Tots, a sensory music and movement group. For adults, we have Bible studies and a craft group.
At Christmas and Easter we have hundreds of students from local schools who come to the hall for Christian teaching. We also go into the schools to do assemblies. We hold community concerts every quarter, as fundraising events, but also to give people in the community an opportunity to get into the building. We’re really busy, but we are blessed with a team of volunteers who are motivated by their relationship with God and by the church being their spiritual home.
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.
Amen
Our worship service on Sunday starts at 10am. We have a brass brand, choir, children’s music groups and a praise team. Music is an integral part of our worship, but it’s not a performance. Part way through the meeting the children go out for their own age-appropriate teaching and there is a sermon for the adults.
There’s a quote that says, ‘The hope of the world is the local church’ and that’s really motivating to what we do at Staines. Making a difference here in a church setting is bringing hope, light and the reality of the positive message of the gospel where people need to hear it.
The three words I’d used to describe our church are: welcoming, intergenerational and multicultural.
Val was speaking to Sarah Olowofoyeku
To receive basic reading about Christianity and information about The Salvation Army, complete this coupon and send it to
War Cry 1 Champion Park London SE5 8FJ
Or email your name and postal address to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk
from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International
QUICK QUIZ
Which car manufacturer produces the Tucson? 1 2 3 4 5 6
Which British athlete won gold in the women’s 800m at this year’s Paris Olympics?
In what year did Abba have a No 1 hit with their single ‘Waterloo’?
Who played the title role in the sitcom Citizen Khan?
Who wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?
Which founder of a religious order won the Nobel peace prize in 1979?
John and Lisa
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Show serves up new recipes
TV preview: John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen Saturdays ITV1 and ITVX
By Claire Brine
Foodies, get ready! It’s time to enjoy some tasty treats in the new series of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen. Whether they are competent cooks or culinary novices, viewers are invited to try the fresh batch of recipes served up by John Torode and Lisa Faulkner. The celebrity cookery couple are promising their audience plenty of feelgood food – and fun making it.
‘We’ve got things like “top tray bakes”, “fake-away feasts” and “timesaving treats”,’ says Lisa, referring to what’s coming up in the series. ‘And we do “take five”, where we do dishes with just five ingredients.’
John – who is perhaps best known as a judge on BBC1’s MasterChef – says that variety is crucial when it comes to providing meal ideas.
‘People want stuff which is really simple, and stuff they can just chuck in the oven,’ he says. ‘But at the same time, we also know they want to be able to see a bit of glamour. So maybe something a little bit more fancy.’
However much effort we put into preparing our meals (and however much we enjoy eating them), the fact of the matter is our stomachs don’t stay feeling full for ever. At some point, we will be hungry again. That’s why eating regularly is important for staying healthy and why organisations such as The Salvation Army run food banks so that good food is more widely available.
But it’s also good to keep ourselves topped up in other areas of life. Back in Bible times, Jesus warned people of the dangers of becoming spiritually empty – feeling disconnected from God.
The way to feel spiritually satisfied, he said, was to follow him. His teachings about the love of God and how we can care for and forgive others are the richest source of nourishment.
Jesus explained: ‘I am the bread that gives life! No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who has faith in me will ever be thirsty’ (John 6:35 Contemporary English Version).
When we put our faith in Jesus, who points towards a God who loves us, forgives our mistakes and helps us become better people, then we need never feel empty again. A life filled with hope, strength, peace and joy is ours for the tasting.
Quick CROSSWORD
7. Given (9)
8. Hastened (9)
11. Kiosk (5)
12. Eminent (5)
13. Sum (5)
14. Container (3)
16. Watch (3)
21. Group of eight (5)
22. Arouse (5)
23. Gust (4)
24. Retained (4)
25. Note (4)
26. Song of praise (4)
ADVANTAGE CORNER KICK DEFENDER DRIBBLE GOALKEEPER HANDBALL HEADER KICK-OFF MATCH MIDFIELDER OFFSIDE PENALTY AREA PENALTY SHOOT-OUT STRIKER TACKLE THROW-IN TOUCHLINE YELLOW CARD
28. Fast.
Toe. 30. Omen.
Broccoli and cheese filo parcel
INGREDIENTS
350g broccoli
150g onion, chopped
100g cottage cheese, crumbled
200g feta cheese, crumbled
20g dill, chopped
1tsp nutmeg
4 eggs
Salt and ground black pepper
400g filo pastry
140g butter, melted
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 170C/Gas Mark 3.
Cook the broccoli, then crumble the heads and chop the stalks into chunks and place in a large bowl. Add the onion, cheeses, dill, nutmeg, eggs and some salt and pepper. Mix well until combined and the eggs are evenly distributed.
Lay 2 sheets of filo pastry on a tray and brush with some melted butter. Add another 2 sheets on top of the first 2, at an angle, and brush with butter. Place 2 more sheets over the previous sheets and brush with butter. Continue until you have 2 sheets left. Pile the broccoli mixture on to the pastry sheets and spread out to a rectangle.
Lay the reserved 2 sheets over the top of the broccoli mixture and fold the pastry up from the edges to cover the filling completely. Brush with butter and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and leave to cool, before serving.
Courgette, chilli and mint salad
INGREDIENTS
1kg courgettes, thickly sliced
80ml olive oil
½ tsp chilli flakes
1 lemon, juice and zest
Salt and pepper
50g rocket leaves
30g fresh mint leaves, torn, to garnish
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas Mark 6.
Place the courgettes on a baking tray and drizzle with 30ml olive oil. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until they start to soften and turn golden.
Meanwhile, to make a dressing, pour the rest of the oil into a bowl and whisk with all the remaining ingredients, except for the rocket and mint leaves, to combine.
Remove the courgettes from the oven. While still warm, add them to the dressing and toss gently to combine. Allow to cool and infuse.
Place the rocket leaves in a serving bowl and tip in the courgettes. Garnish with the mint leaves, to serve.
Rob Moye