From the editor’s desk
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.
MORE than 50 years ago, four singers in Sweden took a chance on recording a song about a War Cry seller. It proved to be a good move – the record reached No 1 in the Swedish charts. At the time, the quartet didn’t have their name. Today, however, Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid are known across the world as one of the biggest names in music history – Abba. Yesterday (Friday 27 May), at the purpose-built Abba Arena, the group’s first show in four decades took place – to the joy of thousands of fans who are looking forward to packing the venue over the coming months. And the first song they recorded together was about a member of The Salvation Army. In this week’s War Cry, Major Bert Åberg tells us about that song and the time that they sang it at a Salvation Army event. The role model for the song was said to be a man in Björn’s home town of Västervik ‘who was there selling the War Cry and collecting every day,’ Bert says. ‘In the song it seems that the singer has an affection for the old man, and that the man had a message that spoke to him.’ The War Cry was first published in London in 1879 and has continued to be sold ever since, with sister titles appearing in countries around the world. Week in and week out, members and friends of The Salvation Army distribute the magazine, helping to pass on the good news of God’s love. As a magazine, we are indebted to our ‘heralds’ who tell people about the positive impact that the Christian faith can have on them and their communities. We believe it is still a message that can speak to people and change lives for good. If you’ve not done so already, as you read through the pages of this issue, take a moment to ad the War C consider the difference God can make to your e re ry v ’ life if you allow him to lay all his love on you. 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 7578
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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 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
FEATURES 3
In full bloom Everything in the garden’s lovely at the Chelsea Flower Show
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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for the 21st century How did it all start? Abba’s early links with The Salvation Army 8
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Story branches out Enid Blyton classic is reimagined
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INFO Your local Salvation Army centre
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‘The experience of a lifetime’ Glyn Wise looks back on his time in the Big Brother house REGULARS
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War Cry World
12 Team Talk 13 Keys of the Kingdom 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: RHS/GEORGI MABEE