War Cry 27 June 2020 by The Salvation Army UK and Ireland

27 June 2020 20p/25c

AS FANS LOOK BACK, GLASTONBURY FOUNDER REFLECTS ON 50 YEARS OF THE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Fields of gold

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church

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 7480

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 UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888 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 Territory with the Republic of Ireland 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 Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell, on sustainably sourced paper

ONLINE a warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk @TheWarCryUK TheWarCryUK

salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

2 • War Cry • 27 June 2020

EDITOR From desk From the editor’s desk

POSSIBLY thegood biggest waste money this year was buying SINGING is for you. Soofsay scientists quoted on the a 2020 diary. enteredThe lockdown March, occasions BBC Since Futurewe website. expertsinsaid thatcountless singing can boost have been cancelled. their big day, holidaymakers our moods and Couples sense ofhave socialpostponed connection. have unpacked and in milestones as birthdays Perhaps it is their with suitcases, these benefits mind thatsuch people have beenand wedding anniversaries have not been celebrated as planned. joining online choirs during lockdown. In this week’s issue, the Public also beenjoins called off. The mainstays of London the War Cry’sevents Sarahhave Olowofoyeku a virtual rehearsal of the summer sporting calendar not happening. There be no tennis International Gospel Choirare to discover for herself thewill pleasures atpeople Wimbledon, football’s Euro 2020 off in 2021 and Tokyo’s have found of singing alone,will yetkick together with others. Olympics haveAusten also been delayed. Meanwhile Hardwick has found similar value in running. Fans of music not bean pitching up with this summer. Among This week’s War festivals Cry alsowill includes interview the marathon the organisers who that havehis had to cancel Michael who runner who found sport helpedevents him toisregain his Eavis, life after was expecting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Glastonbury Festival. he suffered three strokes while in his early forties. InHowever, this week’s Warnot Cry, though, Michael looks Austen’s back at how the it was only running that helped recovery. small event that he played startedahalf century agotaking has grown into the His Christian faith vitala part in him a positive institution today. Thefaced. festival is such a draw to music lovers approachittoisall that he that,‘When despite thisinyear’s festival beingsays, cancelled, the BBC filling its I was hospital,’ Austen ‘I asked God to is take what airwaves withthrough hours ofand highlights from previous years. I was going to transform me through it.’ But it is notbelieve only thethat huge public events big personal occasions Christians God can take anyand situation or anything that coronavirus lockdown. Everyday thathave they been do orimpacted face and by usethe it to make a positive impact in others’ activities, suchown. as going to school or work, have stopped forOliver many lives or their That has been the experience of painter people, too. That includes toddler groups. Pengilley. However, Salvation Army officer Catherine has been Oliver had developed a successful career Wyles as an artist with running some aofFacebook toddler group. Insums this week’s issue, War staff his work Live selling for significant of money. But, asCry he tells writer Claire and her join Catherine online. the War CryBrine this week, he daughter grew frustrated. ‘We wantsee the the children to enjoy andhe their parents ‘I didn’t meaning of it,’the he singing says. Now travels to to feel connected,’ says. to It ispaint one pictures of the ways Theworship Salvation Army churches allCatherine over the world during has helpedand people who are struggling the other cancellations sessions his faith-based artwork through has helped people inand loneliness their own that faithlockdown journey. has brought. Claire and her daughter loved singinghas with It is an amazing truth that Goddancing, can takeclapping any skilland a person the other online participants. It wasn’t quite a musicitfestival, but it or any situation they are facing and can transform into something made the change Tuesdaytheir morning sessions a date for the diary. that can lives and the lives of the people around them.

Contents

What is The Salvation Army?

FEATURES 3

You’re a vision Film puts song contest in the frame

Baby steps for social media Toddler group goes online

Sleep is not a sweet dream Living with narcolepsy

Memories take to the field Glastonbury founder looks back on past 50 years

10 Art forms faith Author on seeing God in paintings REGULARS 12

Team Talk

Faces of Faith

14 Puzzles 15

Front-page picture: BBC

War Cry Kitchen

FILM

DUO FACE THE MUSIC D

RESSED in striking Viking attire and eyes streaked with silver make-up, Lars (Will Ferrell) provides the backing track to his friend Sigrit (Rachel McAdams) as she sings against the backdrop of Iceland’s volcanic landscape. In the new comedy film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, released on Netflix yesterday (Friday 26 June), the fictional duo are seeking to emulate the success of their fellow Nordics Abba. Suddenly, though, small-town musician Lars is jarred out of his daydream by his father, Erick (Pierce Brosnan). Erick is frustrated that his middle-aged son is still living at home and remains obsessed with his dream of winning Eurovision with Sigrit. Lars and Sigrit, who have been friends since childhood, call themselves Fire Saga and are laughed at and frequently criticised for their performances. Undaunted, they submit an audition tape to an Icelandic TV network in a bid to become the nation’s entry to the Eurovision Song Contest. Somehow, despite the overwhelming odds stacked against them, they succeed and head to Edinburgh, the host city. As the competition draws on, Lars becomes wrapped up in all aspects of it. He takes

Emily Bright sees if aspiring Eurovision singers have met their Waterloo advice from pretentious producers and seeks adulation from other performers. Meanwhile, Sigrit simply wants to perform alongside her best friend. She is left perplexed by the theatrics of the big stage. The lavish Eurovision lifestyle and Lars’s relentless desire to win the

Lars and Sigrit want their performances to ring true contest threaten to push the duo apart. However, Lars gradually learns that there is much more to the competition than winning and fame. He is drawn back to his love of performing with Sigrit, and reflects that ‘the perfect song is not the winning song, but the song that comes from the heart’. Both performers learn to guard themselves against all distractions, even risking their chances of winning the contest by singing the song that

strikes a chord in their hearts rather than the track that would bring them fame and fortune. Lars and Sigrit realise that what’s most important is that their performances ring true to who they are. The cautionary note sounded by the film is that it can be easy to become distracted by the desire to achieve popularity, success or wealth. People may be tempted to lose or downplay their identity to win it. In good and bad times, many people have anchored themselves to their true identity through a relationship with God, who loves them unconditionally and knows them completely. Christians believe that by following God’s teachings and staying focused on him, we can live life to the full. One Bible writer urges: ‘Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life’ (Proverbs 4:23 New Living Translation). We can guard our hearts by investing in a relationship with God, who is righteous, loving, forgiving and full of grace. If we take our lead from him, we can tune into all that we were meant to be.

Elizabeth Viggiano/Netflix

Lars and Sigrit dream of performing at Eurovision

27 June 2020 • War Cry • 3

e n i h s suStn reaming e n i h ssuunnshsine online In celebration of World Social Media Day next Tuesday (30 June), Claire Brine and her daughter log in to a Salvation Army toddler group singalong on Facebook

T’S Tuesday morning. It’s approaching 10.30. Nearly time to switch on my laptop, log in to Facebook and sit with my little girl on my lap for our weekly singalong, led by Major Catherine Wyles of Rutherglen Salvation Army. Every week since the government asked the country to ‘stay at home’ in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Catherine has been inviting parents and their children to sing together online. Her live-stream videos – on the Sunshine Corner Toddler Group’s Facebook page – follow a simple format: there are songs, a story, more songs, then a prayer. The whole thing is short and sweet. The nursery rhymes are fun and familiar. It’s the perfect entertainment for my 18-month-old, who doesn’t understand why she can’t attend her usual toddler groups. And it has become a lifeline for a frazzled mum like me. Before we log in, I give Catherine a quick call. She tells me that her last video had clocked 268 views. Not bad, she laughs, considering that before lockdown the Rutherglen toddler group would usually welcome about 20 parents and their kids each week. ‘The reason we started making the videos was that the toddler group leader was concerned about losing

touch with the families,’ Catherine explains. ‘She asked me if I would lead a weekly singalong on Facebook so that the children and parents would have something to do. I thought it would be fun. ‘We want the children to enjoy the singing and their parents to feel connected rather than isolated. As long as people are logging in, I’ll keep doing it.’ On that note, it’s time to get singing. My daughter, Emmeline, is sitting on my knee, eyes fixed on the screen. When Catherine appears with a beaming smile on her face, Emmeline smiles back. Before we crack on with the singing, several messages of ‘hello’ pop up at the side of the screen, written by parents and children who are watching. Catherine welcomes these children by name and lets them know she is glad to see them. Then it’s time to wake up Tommy the Turtle. ‘I think I saw him in the garden this morning,’ says Catherine. ‘Shall we call for him? Tommy? Where are you?’ At home, Emmeline watches me as I join Catherine in calling out for Tommy. He is nowhere to be seen. Catherine tells her viewers that we all need to shout a bit louder. We do, of course. Eventually, Tommy the Turtle makes an appearance. (I think he looks a bit like a puppet on Catherine’s left hand,

We want the children to enjoy the singing and their parents to feel connected

4 • War Cry • 27 June 2020

but Emmeline is sure he’s not.) Today Tommy has shown up wearing a knotted handkerchief on his head to keep cool. Catherine removes the hanky and asks if she can apply some sun cream instead. ‘It’s really important to put sun cream on your face when it’s sunny,’ she explains. Now it’s time for the first song. It’s one of Emmeline’s favourites: ‘The Wheels on the Bus’. Catherine sings, Tommy helps her with the actions, and Emmeline and I join in with the beep, beep, beeping. She’s loving it. At the end of the song, Catherine makes my morning by commenting: ‘I’m sure I could hear you singing, Emmeline!’ I feel as if we’ve had a shout-out on national radio. Next we wind the bobbin up, then we zoom off to the moon. After a rhyme about three naughty monkeys, followed by ‘Incy Wincy Spider’, we are ready for story time. Emmeline’s

FEATURE

Claire and 18-month-old Emmeline sing along with Catherine and Tommy the Turtle over Facebook

eyes are glued to the screen as Catherine tells a story about a farmer. I recognise it immediately as Jesus’ parable of the sower from the Bible – but Catherine’s version is simpler. She uses words that are easy for children to understand. Her homemade props and pictures keep

Emmeline gripped. However much or little she understood, my heart is touched to watch my little girl listening to a story that Jesus told. Catherine says we have time for two more songs before we need to say goodbye. So we start with a song which

reminds us that God made the weather. Then we move on to ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’. Emmeline and I are up on our feet, dancing, clapping and stamping. It’s lovely to be doing this together. Before Catherine and Tommy sign off, we say a final prayer rhyme together, asking God to bless our hair, nose, fingers, toes and every other part of us. It’s a simple and innocent prayer, and I love how it’s being prayed aloud by those with the purest of hearts. ‘Have a great day everyone and I’ll see you next week,’ says Catherine, before logging off. You most definitely will.

27 June 2020 • War Cry • 5

‘Sleeping was A chronic illness means that there have been times when RUTH CHIPPERFIELD has felt constantly exhausted and would involuntarily fall asleep during the day. But faith and jewellery have helped her to cope, as she explains to Emily Bright

‘I

used to collapse all the time, and was sleeping 18 hours a day,’ remembers Ruth Chipperfield, a jewellery designer who was diagnosed with narcolepsy while studying chemistry at the University of Warwick. ‘Sleeping was not a luxury for me, especially when I was hallucinating. I was very poorly, couldn’t leave the house, and my husband, Paul, became my full-time carer.’ Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that disrupts the brain’s sleep cycle. Nighttime sleep is disturbed and individuals involuntarily fall asleep during the day. The condition affects about 30,000 people in the UK. Associated symptoms include cataplexy, which can cause sudden muscular weakness, slurred speech and collapsing. Sufferers may also experience sleep paralysis, in which they wake up and cannot move, a state that is sometimes accompanied by frightening hallucinations. Ruth cannot remember a time when she did not feel tired, but says that it worsened over the years. ‘In sixth form I fell asleep in a couple of mock exams,’ she recalls. ‘By my second year of university, I couldn’t sit still for more than 30 to 60 seconds without falling asleep. ‘I went to every lecture and don’t remember a single one, despite trying to take notes again and again. I taught myself the material and did relatively well.’ Everyday activities, such as shopping or visiting friends, became challenges for Ruth. ‘I’d collapse in public, and people would expect Paul to fuss over me,’ she says. ‘However, I wanted him to leave me be, as it was disorientating when people

I couldn’t sit still for more than 60 seconds without falling asleep

Ruth Chipperfield 6 • War Cry • 27 June 2020

touched me during a cataplexy attack. ‘Subconsciously, I’d be screening for safe spaces where I wouldn’t bang my head if I had an attack. I’ve had times where I’ve been at a friend’s house and had to say: “My legs aren’t working, I’m not going to be going yet.”’ In late 2012, Ruth received funding for new medication, and she hoped normality would follow. The reality was completely different. ‘My mental health dived due to the side-effects, and my weight dropped to six stone,’ she says.

luxury

not a luxury’

INTERVIEW

My core beliefs are about making people feel valued and good about themselves A morganite ring designed by Ruth

‘I experienced depression, anxiety and paranoia.’ Ruth turned to her Christian faith to sustain her. She says: ‘I had to dig deep, and my faith played a huge role. It diminished my fear and offered me purpose in my most challenging times. I’m a lot better now. I’m managing on a much lower dose than I should be, which has reduced the mental health side-effects. Is that because of prayer, medical care or therapy? It’s probably some of all of it.’ She also found solace in another source: jewellery design. ‘I’ve always loved making things,’ says Ruth. ‘I think in three dimensions, so I deconstruct stuff, figure out how it works and put it back together. When I was diagnosed with narcolepsy, I couldn’t do a lot of things, but I could make jewellery.’ She has now set up her own business, Ruth Mary Jewellery. Her commissions arrive in all forms, including requests for anniversaries, birthdays and weddings. She has even designed her sister’s engagement ring. ‘It’s an honour to be part of people’s precious moments,’ she says. ‘Over time,

I’ve developed a knack for knowing what people want. ‘I’m inspired by anything that’s sculptural or 3D, whether that’s buildings, carvings or furniture. Old architecture in particular has been created to stand for hundreds of years, so the design has been really honed.’ Ruth seeks to address not only material wants, but emotional needs too. ‘My core beliefs are about making people feel valued and good about themselves,’ she says. ‘I’m doing that with the best of my ability and creativity.’ She feels that one of her roles is to support bereaved clients, who often ask her to restore or adapt jewellery of a loved one into a wearable keepsake. ‘People don’t always get to talk about death and what they’ve lost,’ she reflects. ‘So coming to have the jewellery made can be a healing process for them. But sometimes if the grief is still too raw, I suggest we chat in a few months’ time.’ One of Ruth’s most memorable pieces emerged when a widow asked her to adapt her husband’s wedding ring into something that she could wear. ‘I used a fine golden wire and woven

details in the middle to turn it into a necklace,’ Ruth remembers. ‘I didn’t polish her husband’s ring properly, because they’d been married for 44 years and I didn’t want it to look like he’d never worn it. I sent it back to her and she phoned me up and said: “I’ve been in tears. I’m so pleased.”’ Looking back over her life so far, Ruth can see the parallels between her jewellery work and her Christian faith. ‘My signature style is hand-stitched lace, where I press the lace into a mould to create a design template,’ she explains. ‘Although the lace is destroyed from compression in the mould, you create something much better from it. ‘Equally, although life’s curveballs can bring destruction, they can also make us stronger. That is echoed in the message of my faith: God turns life’s muck into fertiliser.’

l For more information visit ruthmary.com 27 June 2020 • War Cry • 7

f o k c Ro

ages

Michael Eavis tells Claire Brine how his Glastonbury Festival is founded on Christian principles

ACK in 1970, dairy farmer Michael Eavis decided to hold a pop, folk and blues festival at his farm in Pilton, Somerset. About 1,500 people rocked up to catch Marc Bolan, Keith Christmas and Al Stewart belting out their tunes onstage. Entry to the twoday event cost just £1. Free milk was available to all. It was out of these simple beginnings that Glastonbury Festival was born. This summer marks 50 years of the rock and contemporary arts festival, which still takes place at Worthy Farm. But earlier this year, like thousands of other events, the festival had to be cancelled because of the outbreak of coronavirus. Michael was disappointed to call off the anniversary celebrations, but music fans will be able to relive past Glastonbury highlights courtesy of a weekend of broadcasts by the BBC. Speaking to me on the phone before the UK went into lockdown, Michael explained what makes Glastonbury Festival so special. ‘It’s a big mix of music, pleasure and fun,’ he says. ‘As well as the bands, we have theatre, circus, dance, films and demonstrations on green issues, all of which take place on our 20-odd stages. We’ve spent the past 50 years collecting all these ideas together, so it’s a magical event.’ Michael tells me that staging

Glastonbury costs in the region of £42 million. A huge slice of the budget goes on securing the music acts, who this year were scheduled to include Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift. Back in 1970, Marc Bolan agreed to perform a set for £500. ‘I could afford that,’ Michael laughs. ‘The festival started off as something very simple. We didn’t have lots of flashing lights, nor was it a big rock’n’roll thing. But I guess the public must have thought I was a half-decent, half-reasonable bloke, and then the bigger bands wanted to come and play. The whole idea just caught on. ‘Every time we held the festival, I enjoyed putting it together. A lot of dairy farmers are depressed and lonely, working seven days a week, but I was surrounded by all these lovely young people who made me laugh. I enjoyed the camaraderie. I don’t know why Glastonbury became so successful though. It’s quite extraordinary.’ After meeting some of the biggest and best musicians on the planet, Michael says that he no longer gets star-struck when coming face to face with his headline acts. He cites his work as being the key to keeping his feet on the ground. ‘Until I was 65, I used to keep on with milking the cows while the festival was going on,’ he says. ‘I’m 85 now, so I don’t do that any more. But I’m still fully involved in the festival, because I love

The festival started off as something very simple

8 • War Cry • 27 June 2020

every second of it. I make sure I go and say hello to Mick Jagger and that sort of thing.’ In 1999, Michael’s daughter Emily began assisting her dad with the running of the festival. It gave him more time to pursue another of his interests: church. ‘I’m really involved with the Methodist chapel in Pilton,’ he says. ‘I go to the service every week, except on festival weekend. I love singing the hymns. And I pick up the local kids to take them to Sunday school. I think Methodism is a great moral code to live by. ‘When I was little, my dad was a Methodist preacher and he was such a good role model for me. He was very friendly and always helping people. He put Christian teachings into practice.’ The more Michael attended church as a young man, the more he found the message of the Gospels appealing. ‘At first I used to challenge the preachers and say: “How can this be true?” But then I picked up Jesus’

INTERVIEW

JASON BRYANT

The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival

Michael and his daughter Emily

teachings in the Sermon on the Mount and saw them as the key to everything. I began to understand the values of Methodism, founded by John Wesley. All the things Wesley stood for – such as being antiwar and paying fair wages – rubbed off on me as being the right way to go. ‘Despite my criticism of some of the Old Testament Bible stories, I still think

Christianity is a good way to live Christianity is a good way to live.’ So good, in fact, that Michael has a poster of John Wesley’s Methodist principles displayed on the wall at the Glastonbury Festival offices. They include: reduce the gap between rich and poor, empower individuals to feel they can make a difference, and promote tolerance. ‘Those values underpin what I do,’ he says. ‘The festival is all about giving

something back to society. That’s why for the past 40 years we’ve been using the money we’ve made to build social housing in the area. The more I can help society to work a bit better, the happier I am. ‘The whole Christian message is about loving one another and doing what you can to help those less fortunate than yourself. My faith in those teachings is what motivates me and keeps me going.’ 27 June 2020 • War Cry • 9

Matters of the RICHARD HARRIES talks with Sarah Olowofoyeku about his new book and how it invites readers to get a picture of faith

I Richard Harries

‘Seeing God in Art’ highlights 30 works with Christian themes

10 • War Cry • 27 June 2020

T was during a road trip round Europe with friends, travelling in an old, borrowed car and sleeping on the ground in camping sites, that Richard Harries had one of his most significant encounters with a work of art. ‘We spent the whole month or so touring museums and art galleries,’ he says. ‘And I still remember a vivid experience I had in Milan, seeing Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. It’s a vast painting on the wall of a monastery’s refectory, and I felt totally overwhelmed by it, as though I was there at the event.’ The former Bishop of Oxford writes about the painting in his new book, Seeing God in Art, in which he reflects on 30 works of art with Christian themes. ‘It’s a very personal collection,’ he says. ‘They are pictures that have meant and continue to mean a lot to me. I would have loved to have been able to choose 300, but I used criteria to break them down. There was to be only one image per artist. There should be ancient art and modern art, and if possible art from almost every age. Then I wanted to draw on the Eastern Orthodox church tradition through icons, as well as the western tradition. And I wanted to show relatively unknown works as well as famous ones.’ The book is divided into three main sections, which take readers through the whole Bible. The first deals with the creation stories. A second section explores the experiences of the Jewish people and their

INTERVIEW

art

deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the giving of the law, the wisdom literature, the prophetic literature and the life of Christ. The final section moves on to life ‘in Christ’. Richard hopes that the book will introduce people to the Christian faith in an accessible way. For each painting, he has written a brief commentary in which he explains why he thinks the work is important, what is in it and the ‘fundamental Christian truth it is trying to convey’. At the end, he writes a short prayer. He tells me: ‘I’m hoping that people will be led through the visual stimulus of the art into some intellectual reflection upon what it is about, and that the reflection will take them into a desire to pray.’ His own reflections in the book focus on some of the questions that may arise in our sceptical age. One of the fundamental questions, he says, is ‘the extent of evil and suffering in the world and how far this is compatible with the belief that there is a good Creator’. He considers the issue by looking at And the Lord Lifted up Job’s Face, a 1995 work by Roger Wagner. ‘It depicts Job sitting, bowed down by human suffering. And Christ is kneeling beside him, lifting up his head. That’s a wonderful Christian understanding of God. Not just a God who made the Sun, the Moon and the stars and this whole extraordinary expanding

universe, but actually a God who comes and kneels beside us and lifts up our head.’ Other issues he explores include the relationship between science and religion, and how we are to understand the whole creative process. He agrees that, for both sceptics and Christians trying to wrestle with such questions, there is room for both intellectual grappling and creative engagement with faith. ‘I believe that all of us human beings have a creative spark within us. It is part of being made in the image of God. People express this creativity in different ways – for instance, through cooking, through gardening. The major arts play a very important role in faith and have done throughout history.’ The painters featured in the book – which includes works from the 6th to the 21st century – have used art to express their faith. But they have also used art to explore faith. ‘I imagine artists don’t always start with a clear idea of what they want to express,’ says Richard. ‘They have a general feeling, and the work unfolds as they go about it, emerging with greater clarity as they pursue it.’ Richard argues that all the artists, in their explorations and expressions of faith, have created works of art that are powerful and can lead people to something greater – the Christian story, which he says is a ‘sublime story’. ‘If you’re attracted by its beauty and truth, it draws you into it and takes hold of you. You see what the meaning and purpose of human existence is and how one should lead one’s life.’

The major arts play an important role in faith

Richard considers questions of our sceptical age, including the problem of evil and suffering

l Seeing God in Art is published by SPCK

27 June 2020 • War Cry • 11

Team talk

EXPLORE

Prayerlink THE War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their circumstances. Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk or to War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.

Becoming 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

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.

talk

Team talk

‘

Claire Brine gives her take on a story catching the attention of War Cry reporters

His own story is motivating him to help

Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen

" Tick one or more of the options below, complete the coupon and send it to

War Cry 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN

Basic reading about Christianity Information about The Salvation Army

Looking for help?

Contact details of a Salvation Army minister Name Address Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International

Or email your details and request to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk 12 • War Cry • 27 June 2020

’

IT started with a tweet from a thoughtful 22-year-old. ‘Anyone know who I can talk to about the government food voucher scheme?’ Then came the follow-up question: ‘Who in the government is responsible for the scheme?’ Many of us know what happened next. Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford urged the government to extend its free school meal voucher scheme through the summer holidays. He achieved his goal. Now, the 1.3 million kids who have been relying on meal vouchers during term time will continue to be fed this summer. But while they’re enjoying their summer break, the footballer plans to use the six-week holiday ‘to figure out what’s next’. He wants children to have enough to eat, not only over the summer, but always. He cares about the issue deeply because he understands. In interviews, Marcus has talked about experiencing hunger as a child growing up in a low-income family. He sympathises with parents who lose sleep over how to provide for their children, because his mum was exactly the same. After weeks of hearing depressing news, I love how this star has looked for a way to do something positive. I love how his own story is motivating him to try to help others. But what I love most is his sense of responsibility. Because when Marcus asked who was responsible for the government food voucher scheme, the answer was: not him. He’s a sportsman. People expect him to score goals for Man U and England because that’s his job. Just as it’s someone else’s job to manage the food vouchers. But Marcus made the plight of struggling families his responsibility. He couldn’t bear not to. Using the platform he had, he spoke up – not with an aim to shame those who planned to end the scheme, but with a drive to take action. Because of his efforts, there will hopefully be thousands of parents able to sleep a bit better this summer. Imagine how different the world would be – even our communities – if we all took responsibility for something that wasn’t our job. Imagine the solutions to problems we might find if, instead of just calling out failings, we did something to help fix them. Surely it’s worth a shot.

EXPRESSIONS

FACES OF FAITH

Q&A

ANDREA KITE from Canterbury on maths, the film Midway and her children moving out

What’s your typical day? I’m a maths teacher. So on weekdays before lockdown, I’d be at my desk by half-past seven, do prep before the kids came in and then spend the day teaching. Since lockdown, I’ve been on a rota to go into school. Weekends are usually a time to spend with my hubby and our offspring.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to do something with maths. I loved it from an early age, and I still get excited when I discover something new. There can be something beautiful about an answer to a maths problem. Then there’s that whole Fibonacci sequence – named after the Italian mathematician – which can be found in so many places in nature: the petals on a flower are usually one of the Fibonacci numbers, as are the spirals round a pine cone and the seeds on a sunflower.

What was the last film you saw? Midway, about the naval battle between the US and Japan in the war. It was not really my kind of thing, but I didn’t know anything about that event in history, and it’s always good to learn something new. It may have been from a bit of a biased perspective. My youngest is doing film studies, so he’ll tell me all about the unreliable narrator and that kind of thing.

How did you become a Christian? When I was about eight years old, growing up in Leigh, I went round to see if my friend was coming out to play. She was about to go off to Sunday school. Then her mum asked if I wanted to go with them. I went, enjoyed it and kept going. The message of Jesus dying for me resonated with me. As I got older, my belief grew stronger that, in God, I have someone who cares for me in all situations. In 1965, who became the first person to walk in space?

qa 1

quick QUIZ

Which king issued Magna Carta in 1215?

Who sang the 1986 hit song ‘Absolute Beginners’?

The Trevi Fountain is located in which European city?

Who wrote the novel True History of the Kelly Gang?

What is the smallest independent country in the world? ANSWERS

What one question would you ask God?

Why wasps? I don’t see the point – although I heard a radio programme about wasps burrowing into figs to pollinate them. So they do have a purpose. But we can get by without figs.

What do you pray about? My children are all moving out this year, so I’ll definitely be praying a lot more for them as they go out into the big wide world.

27 June 2020 • War Cry • 13

1. Alexei Leonov. 2. King John of England. 3. David Bowie. 4. Rome. 5. Peter Carey. 6. Vatican City.

CROSSWORD CROSSWORD

PUZZLES

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Invoice (4) 3. Boy (3) 5. Harvest (4) 7. Captivate (9) 9. Virtuous (4) 10. Spindle (4) 11. Amend (5) 14. Under (5) 15. Vigilant (5) 17. Concede (5) 18. More recent (5) 19. Delicious (5) 20. In good time (5) 23. Breeze (4) 25. Keen (4) 27. Ensure (9)

8. Dear (9) 11. Mindful (5) 12. Hourglass (5) 13. Irate (5) 14. Rubbish DOWN container (3) 1. Boast (4) 16. Plaything (3) 2. Heavy 21. Dart (5) package (4) 22. Spear (5) 3. Regional (5) 23. Summons (4) 4. Move to 24. Overcast (4) music (5) 25. Very long 5. Job list (4) period (4) 6. Unadulterated (4) 26. Silly (4) 7. Coming after (9) 28. Of great height (4) 29. Grief (3) 30. Tidy (4)

SUDOKU

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

HONEYCOMB HONEYCOMB

Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number

Answers QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Bill. 3. Lad. 5. Reap. 7. Fascinate. 9. Good. 10. Axle. 11. Alter. 14. Below. 15. Alert. 17. Admit. 18. Newer. 19. Tasty. 20. Early. 23. Wind. 25. Avid. 27. Guarantee. 28. Tall. 29. Woe. 30. Neat. DOWN: 1. Brag. 2. Load. 3. Local. 4. Dance. 5. Rota. 6. Pure. 7. Following. 8. Expensive. 11. Aware. 12. Timer. 13. Ratty. 14. Bin. 16. Toy. 21. Arrow. 22. Lance. 23. Writ. 24. Dull. 25. Aeon. 26. Daft. HONEYCOMB 1. Double. 2. Supper. 3. Borrow. 4. Remove. 5. Listen. 6. Polish.

1 7 8 6 2 9 5 3 4

3 9 2 5 1 4 8 6 7

4 5 6 3 8 7 1 9 2

7 2 5 8 9 3 6 4 1

6 4 9 1 7 5 3 2 8

8 1 3 2 4 6 7 5 9

2 3 1 9 6 8 4 7 5

5 8 4 7 3 2 9 1 6

9 6 7 4 5 1 2 8 3

SUDOKU SOLUTION

Wordsearch AS YOU LIKE IT HAMLET

HENRY V

JULIUS CAESAR KING LEAR MACBETH

MERCHANT OF VENICE OTHELLO

RICHARD III

ROMEO AND JULIET

TAMING OF THE SHREW TITUS ANDRONICUS

TROILUS AND CRESSIDA TWELFTH NIGHT WINTER’S TALE

7 8 1 1 6 7 2 5 1 8 5

14 • War Cry • 27 June 2020

3 8 7 1

ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch

1. Twice the amount 2. Light evening meal 3. Take something with the intention of returning it 4. Get rid of 5. Give attention to a sound 6. Make shiny by rubbing

6 2 9 2 4 5 3 1 9 4 7 6 8 1 6 7 2 5 1 8 5

Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on the grid to find 3 4Shakespeare 7 6 8plays 2 5 9 these

1 7 9 5 2 4 1 3 8 6 U Q T Z X J P S O T V N I Q N B X J 8 2 6 5 9 3 1 4 7 Q J J H C U B L U K Z W V V U P N W 6 5 3 8 1 2 9 7 4 P R K H L L Z A G O K W E L U T N E B F W K H I A V B K V W Y 2 1 8 9 7 4 6 I 3I R S R 5 U A S Y O U L I K E I T Z T O G L H 9 4 7 3I N E Q U M 5 6 8 M R H S 2 1 Q Q S B R S U H C B U H Z C F K T R Q S E Q Z R E E 5 8 1 6 3 7 4 9 2 M X R W Q A L E I V A O Y Z M O N H 3 6 9 4 2 5 7 1I O R T 8 A D I S S E R C D N A S U L R N I O X S H S D N G U H F T G Y F 4 7 2 1 8 9 5 6 3

M H H H T A I R D Q I L T H N G V O K Q Z A R R O J Y P R U E F E P L G D D L D M N U D U V T L B A E L G N Q E I W I L F X C R L G C L R A I I W I E C I N E V F O T N A H C R E M I T U E P E F T H D D X M Q Z E B A Q S T W E L F T H N I G H T I E Q T Z B N Q M F G S C I L Q T N Q O Z K

D Mediterranean medley sandwiches Ingredients

Method

1 pepper, deseeded and chopped

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6.

1 courgette, sliced

Put the vegetables on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the oil. Add the rosemary and season with a pinch of black pepper. Roast for 25 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

1 small red onion, chopped 8 cherry tomatoes, halved 2tsp olive oil 2tsp fresh rosemary, chopped Ground black pepper 8 slices wholemeal bread 3tbsp reduced-fat hummus

SERVES

100g skinless and boneless roast chicken breasts, sliced

100g mixed salad leaves

Spread each slice of bread with hummus, then top 4 slices with the chicken. Share the roasted vegetables between them and add some salad leaves. Top with the remaining slices of bread and cut each sandwich in half, to serve.

Sweet potato chips with salsa Ingredients

Method

4 medium-sized sweet potatoes, scrubbed

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6.

2tsp vegetable oil

Slice each sweet potato lengthways into 6 wedges and place them in a roasting tin. Add the vegetable oil, season with a pinch of black pepper and toss to coat. Roast in the oven for 40 minutes or until tender, turning them halfway through cooking.

Ground black pepper 2 tomatoes, finely chopped 1 small red onion, finely chopped ¼ cucumber, finely chopped 4tbsp tomato purée

While the sweet potatoes are roasting, mix the tomatoes, onion, cucumber and tomato purée in a small bowl to make the salsa. Serve the sweet potato wedges with the salsa on the side.

SERVES Recipes reprinted, with permission, from the Public Health England website nhs.uk/change4life

27 June 2020 • War Cry • 15

DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED AND DO NOT BE AFRAID John 14:27 (New International Version)