Edward Stourton talks radio and religion
WAR CRY
28 October 2023 50p/60c
Beach-ready Marooned contestants prepare for challenges in Survivor
Time to change the clocks
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 7651
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
From the editor’s desk HAVING seemingly disappeared from British TV in the early years of the century, Survivor is back. The reality TV game show begins on BBC1 this weekend, welcoming two teams of contestants to beaches where they go head to head in physical and psychological challenges. After each task, the losing team have to vote off one of their own. As our preview notes, host Joel Dommett describes Survivor as ‘an intense game of trust and betrayal’. Survival of the fittest is the order of the day, the winner being the ‘sole survivor’. Away from reality TV, this week the War Cry also turns the spotlight on some real survivors. We report on how Salvation Army support worker Nigel Long has formed a singing group. Key to the group is that many of them are survivors of modern slavery and have been helped by The Salvation Army’s specialist support services. Some of the singers in ‘Dreams’ have told us about being members of the group, who during rehearsals not only sing together but also share food and talk about their experiences. ‘Singing helps me emotionally,’ says modern slavery survivor Bituin. ‘If I think about what has been happening to me, it makes me sad.’ But, she adds, ‘“Dreams” helps remind me that I shouldn’t be sad, because someone is out there for me. Someone loves me.’ Nigel says that the members ‘notice if someone is having some issues and not doing well’. He says: ‘They’re good at supporting each other.’ The Salvation Army too is looking out for the members of the singing group and hundreds of other people who have lived through modern slavery. Driven by its belief that all people are of great worth to God, it provides counselling, legal advice and help in securing housing to assist victims in moving back into society. Support is the order of the day. The goal is to enable people to say, as does ‘Dreams’ member Wendy: ‘Thank you so much to The Salvation Army for helping us to survive.’
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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
FEATURES
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Reality TV game show returns 5
‘Dreams’ do come true Modern slavery survivors sing out
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Tuning into religion Radio 4’s Edward Stourton
13 Back in time Clocks set for change
Your local Salvation Army centre
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Sun, sea, sand, survival
REGULARS
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War Cry World
14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: BBC/REMARKABLE
BBC/REMARKABLE
Joel Dommett with the ‘Survivor’ contestants
TRIBALISM TAKES HOLD Game show contestants take on challenges to survive TV preview by Emily Bright
C
AST away from their normal lives, 18 strangers are being pitted against each other in what host Joel Dommett describes as an ‘intense game of trust and betrayal’. The reboot of island-based reality TV series Survivor starts today on BBC1 (Saturday 28 October). Denied all home comforts, the contestants are divided into two tribes – living on separate beaches off the coast of the Dominican Republic – for a 34-day showdown. Named after the beaches where they’re living, orange tribe Caleton competes in challenges against blue tribe Le Nena. Members of the winning team in each challenge are awarded immunity from being voted off by their tribe-mates, while the losing team must decide who of their own to send home. The last contestant standing is the ‘sole survivor’ and takes home £100,000. In their first challenge, the tribes are invited to load as much food and supplies as they can from a boat on to a raft. It is
then a race to the shore. Once on the beach, each tribe must build a beacon and start a fire that can burn through a rope holding up their crate of kitchen utensils. The team whose crate crashes down first wins the utensils, a firelighter and the food and supplies they’ve carried on their raft. The losing tribe end up with none of that. While the winners are jubilant at their great start, the defeated team face a night with only basic rations and without the equipment that will help them to build a sturdy shelter and start a fire. Their situation looks bleak, and it will take all their mental strength to stay upbeat and compete in a gruelling challenge the next day. Though the challenges faced by the contestants on the show may look very different from our own reality, many of us will have faced bleak situations when it’s difficult
to stay positive. Sometimes, we may be left wondering how we’re going to survive the day, whether that’s because we’re struggling with our finances, the breakdown of a relationship or pressures at work. But the good news is that we don’t have to operate in our own strength. The Bible gives accounts of how people from all walks of life faced impossible odds but overcame them with God’s help. It’s the kind of experience that the prophet Isaiah talked about. Recognising the difficulties and dangers that he and his people were up against, he declared that God is ‘a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat’ (Isaiah 25:4 New International Version). God offers that same refuge to us today. We can seek emotional shelter in him. He can provide the comfort and strength we need to face each day. If we ask God for help, he won’t leave us stranded.
The defeated team’s situation looks bleak
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WAR CRY
WnRLD CRAIG MERCER/ALAMY
Young, gifted and Black British Christians SPORTS media outlet The Athletic has reported on the rise of Black British Christians in the Premier League. Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah – pictured making his England debut against Australia last week – spoke about his experiences of growing up as a Christian and attending church services. ‘We had to go!’ he said. ‘It was a rule: you had to attend church. And I love church, so I wasn’t complaining.’ He recalled how, while playing in a Sunday league, he would go to church at 10.30 in the morning then arrive on the pitch in his church clothes and change on the touchline in time for a 12.15 kick-off. His release from Chelsea at the age of 14 was a moment when he felt the importance of faith.
‘I remember being with my family and praying about it, believing in God that I’d have another opportunity to show the talents I’ve been blessed with,’ Eddie said. ‘That came across really quickly with Arsenal. That was a defining moment for me and a big step in my faith to know, that whatever happens, God has always got me and that there will always be another chapter.’ The article also mentioned Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling as other high-level footballers who have spoken about the value of their faith, concluding that ‘this generation of young Black Brits in elitelevel football is reaping the rewards of having something that helps give them purpose and peace of mind’.
Prayer call for Israel-Gaza peace
Library books returned at St Paul’s
THE international leader of The Salvation Army has called on members of the church and charity to ‘pray for peace’ in Israel and Gaza. General Lyndon Buckingham posted a message on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) referring to the region and the ‘many other places around the world where there is strife and war’, saying: ‘We particularly think of, and pray for, the innocent people who are caught up in the conflict – sometimes experiencing injury or even losing their lives.’ He quoted a verse from the Bible: ‘Let there be peace on the mountains and goodness on the hills for the people’ (Psalm 72:3 New Century Version).
ST Paul’s Cathedral has reopened its library, which dates back to the 18th century, after five years of restoration work. A team cleaned, recorded, packed, moved and returned more than 10,000 books. The shelves at St Paul’s library had not been emptied since the Second World War, when the books were transported to Wales to ensure their preservation during the Blitz. The library’s original collection was virtually destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666, but architect Sir Christopher Wren’s chamber of the library was
Church invests millions for zero emissions THE Church of England is investing £30 million in schemes to help it achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Churches, cathedrals, schools and clergy houses will benefit from audits to help them improve their energy efficiency and grants for making small changes such as installing alternative heating. The Right Rev Graham Usher, the Church of England’s lead Bishop for the environment, said: ‘The ambition to be net zero by 2030 is at the core of the Church of England’s response to the climate crisis – to help safeguard God’s creation and achieve a just world. ‘Climate change is hitting the poorest people of the world hardest. We are already seeing the devastating effects of climate change and we must act now. The Church is called to be a people of hope; to repent and live in harmony with our world; to treasure God’s creation and to love our global neighbours.’ 4 • WAR CRY • 28 October 2023
restocked with rare Bibles and liturgical texts after the cathedral was rebuilt. The dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Very Rev Andrew Tremlett, said: ‘The cathedral library is a remarkable room, and remains one of Sir Christopher Wren’s great achievements. It is fitting that, as we mark 300 years since his death, his library is able to reopen. ‘The newly restored library will provide visitors and researchers with a deeper insight into church history and theology, inspiring new generations to engage with their relationship with the Christian faith.’
Do you have a story to share? a warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk @TheWarCryUK TheWarCryUK
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‘Dreams’ take to the stage just before their concert in London
I will survive Survivors of modern slavery reveal how an opportunity to sing is a dream come true Feature by Simon Hope
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ITH a long history of working to promote social justice, The Salvation Army is inspired to fight human trafficking and support survivors of modern slavery. It holds the UK government’s modern slavery victim care contract for England and Wales, which over the past 12 years has enabled The Salvation Army and its partners to help 22,000 people rebuild their lives. One small but shining example of the help that survivors of human trafficking receive can be seen in ‘Dreams’, a London-based singing group made up of people from round the world. The singing group started two years ago. Its leader, Nigel Long, saw it as a way to help clients and staff within The Salvation Army’s London outreach service for survivors of modern slavery get to know each other while having some fun –
and it was a massive hit with members. ‘We would often be singing for hours,’ he laughs. ‘Once we started, it was hard to stop.’ However, the group’s success doesn’t rest solely on its music-making. Nigel explains that he sees it as much more than a singing group. Food, for instance, plays an important role in the weekly practice sessions. ‘Food therapy goes well with music therapy,’ he says. ‘People bring some amazing food, which is stretching our sessions even longer now.’ Currently, the group is made up of some 17 people from 7 countries and includes survivors of modern slavery singing alongside Salvation Army support workers, such as Nigel. The practices are open to any client or staff member who
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28 October 2023 • WAR CRY • 5
From page 5 wants to sing, with no pressure to take part in performances. The group’s most recent performance was a concert which took place in London earlier this month to celebrate those who had survived trafficking. Organised by The Salvation Army, the event brought ‘Dreams’ together with all-female a cappella quintet Black Voices and a Salvation Army choir to raise awareness of the church and charity’s #WeAreNotForSale campaign against modern slavery. For ‘Dreams’, the concert was an opportunity to push their boundaries with a performance in front of a very appreciative audience, including Princess Eugenie, co-founder of the Anti-Slavery Collective. The princess was moved
by the songs and personally congratulated the singers after the concert. ‘After the show the princess came backstage and hugged us,’ says Bituin, a group member and survivor of modern slavery. She adds: ‘I felt relieved and proud because the princess appreciated our songs and everyone who passed by congratulated us.’ ‘I think we were all nervous,’ Nigel confesses, reflecting on the fact that for some of the concert ‘Dreams’ joined with Black Voices to sing songs from the tradition of African-American spirituals. ‘It’s not like we were performing a whole bunch of songs that we can do with our eyes closed. We were singing new songs and in a style we were not familiar with, so it was definitely stretching our horizons – but stretching us in a good way. And
We try to help each other
The Salvation Army produced a temporary tattoo for supporters of its #WeAreNotForSale campaign against modern slavery
6 • WAR CRY • 28 October 2023
Nigel Long learning a different style of singing is helpful.’ The choir’s current repertoire – described as ‘some golden oldies with a few newer ones’ – includes songs by Abba, Ed Sheeran and Jessie J. There are also plans for the group to write their own piece, which will be based on their collective and individual experiences. One song that the group especially love to sing is the title song from The Sound of Music. ‘That musical reminds us of our experiences, and the words relate to us so much,’ explains Wendy, a group member and survivor of modern slavery. ‘It was not easy to learn, but we were being challenged, and that’s the main thing. And we are happy, because we’re able to do it. ‘We are not perfect, and sometimes we can make mistakes. But we try to help and correct each other in a nice way. What we know we share.’ This sense of helping each other fosters an atmosphere of safety and solidarity among group members, which goes deeper than the songs they sing. ‘Checkin’ time at the start of each session offers the opportunity for them to talk with each other about their thoughts, feelings and experiences from the week. ‘They’re very sensitive to each other,’ Nigel comments. ‘They notice if someone is having some issues and not doing well. They’re good at supporting each other. Usually, I find that they like to share and, whether they’re feeling good or bad, they can feel validated.’ Validation is important in the group. Members of ‘Dreams’ have a variety of faiths and world views, and The Salvation Army believes in serving all people without discrimination. ‘Me and Jasmine are Muslim,’ says Bituin. ‘Here, it’s not: “You are Muslim. You are Christian.” Here everybody is equal, and no one judges you about your religion. We are not arguing about our religion. Because of the music, we connect with each other. That’s why we love it. ‘For me, singing helps me emotionally. If I think about what has been happening
to me, it makes me sad and then makes me always crying. I feel hopeless. But, when coming here, I feel joy. I feel lightened up. ‘I miss my family. Before, my loneliness was 100 per cent. Now it’s becoming, like, 40 per cent, because every time I come here, I’m smiling. I’m happy and I’m talking to everyone, especially Nigel. ‘In this way, “Dreams” helps remind me that I shouldn’t be sad, because someone is out there for me. Someone loves me and someone cares for me, asking me weekly: “How are you? How is your life?” I feel very happy to be joining this music. I feel no more sadness in my heart. It wouldn’t be possible if not for The Salvation Army.’
As well as addressing issues of loneliness, the group has helped to rebuild members’ self-confidence. Group member and survivor of modern slavery Jasmine says: ‘When Nigel asked us if we can join the group to sing, I was happy. I feel comfortable every time I come here. This is my comfort zone. Before, I was shy. With the help of Nigel, this is a place to not be scared. ‘When I saw the standing ovation at the concert it gave me energy. It gave me strength to follow my dreams because of the support I saw and felt. I’m very grateful to The Salvation Army.’ Wendy adds: ‘I am a Catholic Christian. When I started singing with “Dreams”, it
Singing with ‘Dreams’ gave me confidence
gave me more confidence and courage to go to my church to participate in that singing group as well. ‘The concert was my first time in front of a large audience. Even though it was terrifying it was also inspiring when the people were cheering for us, and it gave me strength to carry on. ‘I just want to say thank you so much to The Salvation Army for helping us to survive. We’re just so happy and thankful for everything.’
l Some names have been changed. For more information on how The Salvation Army is fighting modern slavery visit salvationarmy.org.uk/modern-slavery
28 October 2023 • WAR CRY • 7
Radio, religion and real people Radio 4 presenter EDWARD STOURTON reflects on his broadcasting career, the people he loves to interview and why he believes Jesus was a revolutionary
COLIN THOMAS
Interview by Emily Bright
Edward Stourton 8 • WAR CRY • 28 October 2023
‘P
OPPING into the White House whenever you wanted was good fun,’ recalls broadcaster Edward Stourton, who was a founding member of Channel 4 News and became their first Washington correspondent in 1986. ‘As my first correspondents’ job, it was a thrill. I went everywhere and did everything.’ To get a better understanding of Edward’s journalistic career, it’s worth considering a potted history of his various postings. His work in broadcasting began when he joined a trainee programme with ITN after graduating from Cambridge University. By his mid-20s, he was regularly reporting from the Middle East for Channel 4 News, before covering the last years of Ronald Reagan’s presidency in Washington. In 1988 he joined the BBC as its Paris correspondent. He was appointed as ITN’s diplomatic editor after the fall of the Berlin Wall, covering the end of the Cold War and conflicts such as the Bosnian and Gulf wars. ‘The real thrill of broadcasting and journalism is that feeling of being there when history is being made,’ he says. ‘But highlights can also be lowlights. ‘For example, covering the siege of Sarajevo in Bosnia back in the early ’90s, which was utterly terrifying and completely miserable in terms of what you saw, taught me a lot. It was a deep experience. It changed me.’ In 1993 Edward secured a presenting slot on the BBC’s One O’Clock News. As the decade came to a close, he switched from TV to radio, joining the team on Radio 4’s current affairs programme Today, which he presented from 1999 until 2009. Later that year,
AMANDA HANCOX
Edward has presented Radio 4’s ‘Sunday’ programme for more than a decade
he became a presenter on the network’s Sunday programme, which covers current affairs through the lens of religion and ethics. He has now written a book, Sunday, to celebrate the five decades since the programme was first aired in 1970. The book includes interviews with Archbishop Desmond Tutu – who was at that time South Africa’s first Anglican black dean – as well as Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and author and avowed atheist Philip Pullman. Over the years, the programme hasn’t shied away from the big issues of the day, including sexuality, women’s ordination in the Church of England, bioethics and nuclear weapons. In writing the book, Edward enjoyed delving into the radio archive, finding
hidden gems from interviews down the years. ‘One of the nice things in the archive was finding a little clip of Desmond Tutu, talking right back in the 1970s, when he first got a senior position in the church in South Africa. You can immediately recognise from the way he talks that he was somebody who was good at communicating and a leader that you really listened to. ‘The late Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks had an extraordinary record of bringing religious issues home to an audience that was non-Jewish and very secular. That came across in the archive. There are a few people like that who really stand out.’ Edward attributes the programme’s longevity and success partly to the fact that it spans religion and current affairs,
We give people a full picture
providing a distinctive perspective. ‘What Sunday can do – and I hope it does do – is to fill in that dimension of news coverage. If we don’t try to fill in the religious background, it leads to misunderstanding of important stories. Our aim is to give people a full picture and the religious and spiritual dimension to big stories, because they won’t understand them properly if they don’t have that.’ Edward believes that the medium of radio is especially good at offering space for informative discussions about religion. ‘The conversational nature of radio is much better at dealing with ideas than telly is. Telly is good at telling stories in an impactful way, but it’s not so good at coping with thoughtful discussion
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28 October 2023 • WAR CRY • 9
From page 9 working, which makes it difficult. But if I’m clever, I can leave the BBC studios in London and get to my local parish in time for the 8.30am Mass.’ He also finds himself engaging with his faith in the everyday, through the nature that surrounds him. ‘We have a house in southwest France, where we go whenever we can,’ he says. ‘The mountains, rivers and lakes there do inspire a sense of wonder that’s sustaining. That’s where I most obviously connect with my faith.’
While Edward prides himself on impartiality during interviews, regardless of the interviewees’ religious background, he believes that his Christian beliefs shape the way he goes about his work. They give him ‘the realisation that values matter’. He says: ‘That sounds a rather trite and obvious thing to say, but it’s quite an easy thing to forget, and I think that’s why broadcasters sometimes get into trouble in terms of how they get scoops and twist the truth.’ Edward seems to revel in championing the ordinary people rather than
Religion is a powerful motivator
DAVID COOK
and abstract ideas. ‘The great delight of radio is that it can do that, making something like the Sunday programme particularly well suited for radio. It is interesting that Sunday has gone on and survived, and all sorts of religious shows on telly over the years have fallen by the wayside.’ He believes that, in a secular society, the centrality of religion in major news stories is often overlooked. ‘By and large the people who work in the media tend to be more secular than the population as a whole. I think that has led to a lack of appreciation in media coverage – not of whether religion is a good or a bad thing, but of the fact that it’s a powerful motivator for most people on this planet.’ Edward is aware of a wide audience who don’t have a faith, but who still want to understand the world around them. ‘We get all sorts of responses from people who listen,’ he says. ‘Often, people who are agnostic or atheist say: “I really enjoy your programme because it tells me about things I didn’t know about, and it makes me understand things in a different way.”’ And, of course, there are also people of faith who listen. ‘One listener’s response that I like is from a priest who has told me: “I always wait to hear your programme before I write my Sunday sermon.” That’s rather nice praise from the traditional audience – in its early days, Sunday was a very Christian-focused programme, although it isn’t today.’ Edward is himself drawn to trying to understand the world around him. ‘Natural curiosity is at the heart of all journalism, and wanting to know stuff is hugely important. But it’s also about not assuming that every religious person is completely mad. I can think of one or two of my colleagues on news programmes to whom the idea of religion is red rag to a bull, and they’ll bring that assumption with them. ‘And, while you certainly don’t need to be a believer to do the show, you do need an appreciation of the value of believing and to be sympathetic towards it. But you still need to combine that with a rigorous mind and interviewing skills.’ Edward acknowledges the value of believing. He grew up attending a Catholic boarding school, and his faith has remained a part of his life ever since. ‘I wouldn’t claim to have had a life of untrammelled, easygoing faith from beginning to end,’ he says. ‘But, broadly, I would never have said I’m not Catholic. I just am.’ One of the ways in which he connects with his faith is through attending Mass. ‘I enjoy it,’ he says. ‘I like the sense of community that you get and the prayerful space in your week – a sort of rhythm. I don’t go every Sunday, because I’m often
Edward awaiting the arrival of Pope Francis in Philadelphia in 2015 10 • WAR CRY • 28 October 2023
Natural curiosity is at the heart of all journalism
establishment figures in his storytelling on Sunday. ‘Jesus was a revolutionary,’ he says. ‘He absolutely wasn’t part of the establishment. He was speaking for the little people. He was radical. Those are all things that come to mind particularly when you are interviewing church leaders and people in authority.’ When questioned on his personal highlights, he says: ‘I started as a reporter in broadcasting, and I still find that when you’re out and about and talk to real people in the field, as it were, that’s often much more interesting and exciting than talking to archbishops, chief rabbis and so forth.’ In a reflective mood, he reveals a particular perspective on his professional and personal life. He was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer seven years ago, but his faith remains unshaken. ‘My faith has much more to do with a way of looking at the world and living than it does about giving me promises for the next world,’ he says. ‘You would have thought I ought to start thinking more about the pearly gates. But to be honest, I don’t. It hasn’t really changed the way I think about my faith. ‘I’ve seen so much suffering in my work as a journalist that what I’m going through is pretty mild compared to what a lot of people go through. It hasn’t made me rage against God in any way. My faith chunters on as it always has done.’
l Sunday is published by SPCK
28 October 2023 • WAR CRY • 11
Prayerlink 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’.
j
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.
Now, ther NOW, THERE’S
a thou A THOUGHT!
by Jane Ayamba
The weight of waiting EARLIER this month, Mail Online carried a story about an heir to the Spanish throne who had joined the military, as is apparently typical of young royals. Describing her as a ‘queen in waiting’, it shared photos of Princess Leonor attending a royal event, dressed in ceremonial wear and seeming proud to be carrying out her present duties. The article gave such a flattering context to the subject of waiting that it made me think: Why does waiting get such a bad rap? Why does any form of waiting feel so intolerable? Some may argue that the uncertainty we feel and the fear of the unknown are reason enough. But then, we struggle to wait even when the outcomes are certain. We want the queue at the checkout to move more quickly and webpages to load faster than the speed of light. We count down at the traffic lights. We debate giving up altogether when vital answers to emails do not come on time. We want to eliminate the powerlessness we feel when we wait for things and to regain that precious sense of control. The Bible makes a bold case for waiting. Anyone who decides to put their trust in God is promised strength when they grow tired of waiting. Whatever they may be waiting for, the Bible assures everyone that ‘those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength’ (Isaiah 40:31 New International Version). We don’t have to pretend that things will be rosy as time passes, but God will give us the power to wait well when we put our hope in him. The Bible passage continues by saying that people who trust God while waiting ‘will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint’. God wants us to know that waiting is sometimes part of the process. We can trust his timing and plan for our lives, even if we have to hold on for a while. And we can be encouraged, because God makes fresh strength available to everyone who waits on him.
We want to regain a sense of control
Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen
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Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International
Or email your name and postal address to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk 12 • WAR CRY • 28 October 2023
QUICK QUIZ 2 3 4 5 6
How many players are in a cricket side? Earlier this year, which feminist writer published the book What About Men? Which national daily newspaper was founded in Manchester in 1821? Mount Kilimanjaro is in which African country? Dermatology is the scientific study of what? Who directed the film Oppenheimer?
ANSWERS 1. 11. 2. Caitlin Moran. 3. The Guardian. 4. Tanzania. 5. Skin. 6. Christopher Nolan.
1
The times they are a-changin’ As clocks go back, BST turns to GMT Feature by Claire Brine
A
LL change! It’s time to put the clocks back one hour, meaning that those who love their beds are treated to a little extra shut-eye. At 2am tomorrow (Sunday 29 October), British Summer Time (BST) clocks off until spring, and the UK enters Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). According to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich – home of GMT – it was in 1907 that keen horseman William Willett began campaigning to advance clocks by one hour so that he could make the most of the spring and summer mornings. He believed his proposal offered multiple benefits. ‘He cited many factors that are still relevant,’ Royal Observatory curator Louise Devoy tells the War Cry, ‘such as reducing energy consumption, saving money and improving health through better sleep and more daylight hours for outdoor exercise. ‘Also, his concern about “not wasting time” resonated with the centuries-old awareness of how human lifetimes are fleeting and precious, as shown by the various mottos on historic sundials.’ Despite Willett’s campaign, it wasn’t until 1916 that Britain finally introduced its daylight saving time, having noted that Germany had put its clocks forward to maximise productivity during the First World War. Today, the UK’s annual reversion to GMT is even under question. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has been campaigning to follow BST all year round, arguing that turning back the clocks each October increases the risk of road accidents because of ‘the sudden onset of darkness’ during the autumn commute. Whatever our view, the fact is that sources of light – whether natural or artificial – are invaluable. We need light to live. Which is why Jesus explained that whoever follows his teaching of loving God and loving their neighbour will ‘not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12 New International Version). That light brings joy in bleak times and comfort when our way ahead isn’t clearly visible. If we want to see the world in a whole new way, putting our faith in Jesus proves illuminating – time and time again.
Sources of light are invaluable
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PUZZLES Quick CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Earnest request (4) 3. Acquire (3) 5. Dross (4) 7. Gaiety (9) 9. Teller of untruths (4) 10. Smirk (4) 11. Fire (5) 14. Establish (3, 2) 15. Restore (5) 17. Last letter of Greek alphabet (5) 18. Explode (5) 19. Tooth (5) 20. Inundate (5) 23. Unofficial ticket seller (4) 25. Inflamed eyelid (4) 27. Oil (9) 28. Exist (4) 29. Haul (3) 30. Gone before (4) DOWN 1. Bucket (4) 2. State (4) 3. Thickness (5) 4. Rate of movement (5) 5. Ballad (4) 6. Intend (4)
Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9
2 1
5 9
8 5 3 7 9 5 7 3 8
4
1 6 9
7. Domineering (9) 8. Interpret (9) 11. Picks out (5) 12. Musical drama (5) 13. Walk noisily (5) 14. Cry (3) 16. Armed conflict (3)
21. Least good (5) 22. Parrot (5) 23. Labour (4) 24. Melody (4) 25. Pace (4) 26. Compass point (4)
M O HONEYC B Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number
4
ANSWERS
7
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W RDSEARCH
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1. Holiday cabin 2. Catch fire 3. Machine that generates motion 4. Part of a television 5. Straightforward 6. One or the other
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4 9 3 5 7 8 1 2 6
6 8 7 1 2 4 3 5 9
3 5 9 7 8 2 6 1 4
8 6 1 4 9 3 5 7 2
7 4 2 6 1 5 9 8 3
5 3 4 8 6 7 2 9 1
6 9 4
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9 2 8 3 5 1 4 6 7
1 7 6 2 4 9 8 3 5 3 5
HONEYCOMB 1. Chalet. 2. Ignite. 3. Engine. 4. Screen. 5. Direct. 6. Either. QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Plea. 3. Get. 5. Scum. 7. Merriment. 9. Liar. 10. Grin. 11. Shoot. 14. Set up. 15. Renew. 17. Omega. 18. Burst. 19. Molar. 20. Swamp. 23. Tout. 25. Stye. 27. Lubricate. 28. Live. 29. Tow. 30. Past. DOWN: 1. Pail. 2. Aver. 3. Girth. 4. Tempo. 5. Song. 6. Mean. 7. Masterful. 8. Translate. 11. Spots. 12. Opera. 13. Tramp. 14. Sob. 16. War. 21. Worst. 22. Macaw. 23. Toil. 24. Tune. 25. Step. 26. East.
14 • WAR CRY • 28 October 2023
SUDOKU
BACON ROLL BAGEL BAKED BEANS BLUEBERRY MUFFIN CEREAL CROISSANT
FRENCH TOAST GRANOLA BAR HASH BROWN MARMALADE OATMEAL PORRIDGE OMELETTE
ORANGE JUICE PANCAKE SAUSAGE SCRAMBLED EGG SMOOTHIE YOGURT
MAKES 4
Chicken pittas INGREDIENTS
METHOD
2 large chicken breasts, on the bone, trimmed
Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas Mark 5.
4tbsp olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1tsp dried oregano 4 wholemeal pittas Handful frisée lettuce, leaves separated
SERVES 4
Make a few incisions in the skin and flesh of the chicken breasts with a sharp knife. Rub with 2tbsp olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place in a roasting dish and roast for 30-35 minutes, until the juices run clear from the thickest part of the chicken. Remove from the oven and leave to rest for 10 minutes, uncovered. Remove the skin from the chicken and cut the meat away from the bones. Cut the breasts into slices and toss with the oregano and the remaining olive oil in a mixing bowl. Fill the pittas with the lettuce leaves and the cooked chicken. Serve warm or cold.
One-pot peanut ramen INGREDIENTS
METHOD
250g ramen noodles
Soak the ramen noodles in warm water for about 15 minutes, until soft.
150g button mushrooms
Meanwhile, slice the mushrooms and cut the chilli into rings.
1 red chilli
Mix the curry paste, peanut butter and coconut milk in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
1tbsp red Thai curry paste 3tbsp peanut butter 2 x 400ml cans coconut milk
Add the drained noodles and mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and lime juice. Cut the limes into quarters. Ladle the soup into bowls, then arrange the lime and chilli pieces over the top and garnish with the coriander.
Salt 2tbsp lime juice 2 limes Coriander leaves, to garnish
28 October 2023 • WAR CRY • 15
Not arms, but love, understanding, and organised goodwill can cast out fear Martin Luther King Jr
WAR CRY