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

Issue No 7616

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

WITH its famous dome, St Paul’s Cathedral is an iconic part of London’s skyline. Since officially being declared complete in 1711, the current building has been a constant presence in the life of the capital and a venue for national services of thanksgiving, state funerals and even a royal wedding.

It was Sir Christopher Wren who designed St Paul’s, and, as the 300th anniversary of the architect’s death is marked today (Saturday 25 February), the War Cry looks back on his career. We speak to his biographer Adrian Tinniswood, who is keen to point out that Sir Christopher was not just an architect.

‘Wren was a genius,’ he tells us. ‘By the 1650s, he was internationally famous as a mathematician, an astronomer and an anatomist.’

However, it is for his work designing churches that Wren is often best remembered – and St Paul’s Cathedral in particular.

‘There are all kinds of social and cultural reasons we treasure St Paul’s,’ Adrian enthuses. ‘But the other reason for treasuring it is that it is so beautiful and an astonishing piece of work. I’ve been to St Paul’s hundreds of times, and never set foot in there without my heart doing a little somersault.’

Last year another social and cultural milestone in the history of the cathedral was reached when it hosted what is believed to be its first sermon delivered entirely in British Sign Language. It was given by minister-intraining Sue Whalley. In this week’s issue, Sue tells us about that experience and why she felt it was an important moment.

‘Seeing a sermon delivered in BSL first-hand reinforces Christ’s message that deaf people are also a part of God’s people and not in any way less included,’ she says.

Sue is right. It is important that deaf people are reminded of their value to God, because all people are equally loved by him – and that’s a truth everyone needs to know.