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 7642
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: Lyndon Buckingham
Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill
Editor-in-Chief: Major Julian Watchorn
THIS weekend heralds the last bank holiday before Christmas for people living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. So, the weather forecast for the next few days may be watched more closely than usual as they hope for some good weather.
Certainly those going to the many festivals taking place will want to be needing their suncream more than their wellies. In this week’s War Cry we report on the history of one such festival – Greenbelt, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Set in some fields in Northamptonshire, Greenbelt brings together thousands of people to celebrate music and the arts, encouraging them also to think about social justice and the Christian faith.
‘We have music, comedy, theatre and visual arts,’ says Paul Northup, the festival’s creative director in an interview. ‘We have panels and speakers looking at issues of social justice and activism. Together, the arts, faith and justice are what make up Greenbelt’s DNA.’
Paul describes how the festival engages with current social issues. This year, he says, there will be a particular focus on the cost of living.
‘It’s a huge issue for us all at the moment,’ he tells us. ‘This year we’ve invited a number of people with experience of poverty to come and share their stories with us, thereby challenging individuals and churches on how they can respond more effectively to this situation. It’s a problem affecting the whole country.’
Churches have a long history of taking action to help people who are facing tough situations. This week we also look back on the 1963 Bristol bus boycott and the discrimination faced by people of colour back then and since. As we speak to two church leaders, we discover the role the Church has played in the quest for justice.
Although the Church has sometimes got things very wrong, valuing and treating all people fairly is at the heart of the Christian message. And the offer of a new and eternal life is available to us all, whoever we are.
