Court up in the action
Tennis stars have it all to play for at Wimbledon
Salvation Army wants to be ‘critical friend’ to MPs
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
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major
Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow
Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku
Staff Writer: Emily Bright
Staff Writer: Claire Brine
Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk
Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston
Graphic Designer: Mark Knight
Graphic Designer: Natalie Adkins
Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk
The Salvation Army
United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 1 Champion Park London SE5 8FJ
Tel: 0845 634 0101
Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org
Founder: William Booth
General: Lyndon Buckingham
Territorial leaders: Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main
Editor-in-Chief: Major Julian Watchorn
weekly by The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory ISSN 0043-0226
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.
As it finally starts to look as if summer is arriving, the sporting world is springing into action.
The next few days will bring the start of tennis at Wimbledon, cycle racing in Florence and athletics in Manchester. July will also include a tour of England by the West Indies cricket side, the final of football’s Euros and the start of the Olympic Games in Paris.
One race that’s coming to an end, though, is that for the keys of 10 Downing Street. At 10pm on Thursday (4 July), the broadcasters’ exit poll will be predicting the overall result after the public have voted in the general election.
Whatever that result may finally prove to be, The Salvation Army will be looking to be a ‘critical friend’ to the 650 members of the new parliament, as Major Nick Coke, who heads The Salvation Army’s public affairs work, explains.
‘We want to work with those that have the levers of power to make the lives of the most marginalised and vulnerable better,’ he tells us in an interview this week.
It is the Christian faith that motivates the church and charity in carrying out its work in the corridors of power. But in a world that often appears divisive and confrontational – particularly during election campaigns – Nick also believes that The Salvation Army can bring reconciliation and unity.
‘We don’t want division,’ he says. ‘Politicians – and those who involve themselves in politics – can become peacemakers, working together with others to bring peace, to make sure our societies are run in the best way we can.’
Working to bring peace and assistance to others is something The Salvation Army does every day of the year – whether that be to someone experiencing homelessness, a survivor of modern slavery, a parent struggling to feed their children or an older person living with dementia. And it is something it will continue to do whatever the season.
by CKN Print, Northampton, on sustainably sourced
INFO INFO
Your local Salvation Army centre
Last year’s Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz returns to the tournament
In or out?
The ball is in the player’s court
Feature by Sarah Olowofoyeku
It’sgame time. But not for every player. In the weeks leading up to Wimbledon, news and sports publications have been lobbing speculations as to whether certain tennis stars will play at this year’s championships, which begin on Monday (1 July).
The 14-day tournament, which has an average attendance of half a million people, is one of the four major annual events in tennis. Fans flock to the courts or tune in to the television coverage of the fast-paced and often intense games. The two weeks offer a chance to enjoy strawberries and cream, rally round favourite players, and soak up the drama.
Days before the matches are set to begin, most players, including favourites Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz, will be working out their game plan while pundits speculate about who will end up as champions. But anything could happen between now and first serve.
One player who won’t be a part of such discussions this year is Rafael Nadal.
The two-time Wimbledon men’s singles champion has said that he will not play in SW19 so that he can focus on the Olympics in Paris later in the month.
At Wimbledon, the game is played on grass but clay courts will be used in Paris. This led Nadal to say: ‘We believe that the best for my body is not to change surface and keep playing on clay until then.’
While it must have been a tough decision to make, and fans may be disappointed, Nadal believes he knows what will offer him the best chance of success in the future.
Many of us have to make decisions that will affect our future – and while they are unlikely to make the headlines, they will have a big impact on our lives.
Having to make choices in areas such as what career path to take, where to live and who to marry can be crippling, because often it is almost impossible to know what the outcome will be. We want to do what is best for us or for our loved
ones, but there is always an element of risk. We don’t want to be at fault, or ruin our lives – or the lives of others – because of the path we have chosen to follow.
But people who have put their faith in God have found that he helps them in their decision-making. They are able to trust him because they know that not only does he love them and want what is best for them, but he also – as the Creator of the universe – truly does know what is best.
A proverb in the Bible says: ‘Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way’ (Proverbs 3:6 Good News Bible).
To ‘remember the Lord’ is to invite him into our lives and make him part of our every day. We can do this by choosing to put our trust in him, praying to receive his guidance and thanking him for the good things we have.
If we do, he promises that he will help us make the right choices and reveal what’s best for us. Are we game?
j TEA M TALK
May contain strong language
Claire Brine gives her take on a story
catching the attention of War Cry reporters
Plonkers are on the decline, according to research agency Perspectus Global. A survey that asked 2,000 Britons if they had heard a range of ‘classic insults’ revealed that terms such as ‘scallywag’, ‘numpty’ and ‘ninny’ were ‘among the most likely to die out’, along with Del Boy Trotter’s favourite: plonker.
While some people may object to these words, the article in Waitrose’s free Weekend paper said that 54 per cent of Generation Z – those born between 1997 and 2012 – did not know that an annoying person could be referred to as a ‘blighter’.
‘Language changes, evolves and moves on,’ explained Harriet Scott of Perspectus Global. ‘Interestingly, the research highlights the extent to which Brits feel some of the more traditional jibes are softer and less severe than some of today’s more controversial ones.’
Language changes, evolves and moves on
Growing up in the ’90s, I would often hear terms such as ‘twerp’ and ‘plonker’ in the playground. Sometimes, these words were said as a joke and I watched fellow pupils laugh them off. But other times, they were said with the intention to upset. And, no matter how much we all tried to convince ourselves that ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’, there were occasions when the retorts of another did hurt.
I think that, however old we are, insults and unkind words always have the potential to cause upset or offence. It may take two seconds for us to lash out at someone verbally, but the pain caused by what we have said can last a lifetime.
That’s why it’s worth considering doubling up on the effort we put into speaking words of kindness and praise – because building people up is far more likely to help them thrive than criticising, sneering or mocking. The Bible helps me to watch what comes out of my mouth with one single sentence: ‘Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you’ (Ephesians 4:29 Good News Bible).
It couldn’t be clearer. What we say and how we say it matters. Always has. Always will.
Residents transform garden space
Residents at a Salvation Army centre in Sunderland have been transforming its garden into a picturesque and peaceful place to socialise.
The garden at Swan Lodge Lifehouse – which provides supported accommodation for people experiencing homelessness – used to be a muddy patch of grass, but now has decking, plants, an insect home, a small stage area, solar lighting and seating areas.
Plans for the space include social events such as barbecues. Residents will also be able to retreat to the garden to enjoy the sunshine or have times of personal reflection.
Tonk, a 40-year-old resident who came up with the idea for the garden transformation, said: ‘Before, people didn’t enjoy coming out into the garden, but now residents have been helping out, which helps with their mental health.’
WAR talk talk Team talk Team talk ‘ ’
WAR CRYWnRLD
Pharrell’s faith story piece by piece
Pharrell Williams says God is at the centre of his forthcoming Lego biopic.
The trailer for the film Piece by Piece, inspired by the artist’s own experiences, was released earlier this month. Pharrell, who has worked with many artists including Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake since his career began in the early 1990s, told entertainment news platform Variety: ‘The film is about my life and how God is continuing to give me the pieces that put it together – piece by piece.’
He chose to use Lego to tell his story because of the freedom it offered.
‘We wanted it to be a medium for anyone that just wanted to hear a good, aspirational story told vividly, in a way that felt like it could apply to them personally.’
The 13-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and producer has written two new compositions for the movie, one of which he says ‘is made for a specific scene but tells the story; it’s like my thesis – [which is] that God is the greatest, that awareness, just understanding that that’s the story’.
Sky’s the limit for survivors
Two survivors of modern slavery are skydiving to raise funds for The Salvation Army.
Lima and Fauzi, who are receiving support at the church and charity’s safe houses, hope that their skydive challenge next month will highlight The Salvation Army’s work in supporting people who have been through experiences similar to theirs.
Lima’s childhood was cut short when her parents arranged her marriage to a man who was emigrating to England. In the UK, he locked her in the house, forced her to do all the household chores, attacked her and isolated her from her family. He also threatened to kill her if she escaped.
Eventually she sought help and was referred to The Salvation Army. She is now exploring options for further study.
Fauzi was offered well-paid work in Qatar, which would help finance his family in Uganda. But he ended up working 18-hour shifts in factories and construction sites day in, day out. He had no breaks in which to eat or drink, he lived in a filthy, overcrowded camp and his wages and documents were withheld.
Despite his ill health, he managed to get his passport back and to escape to the UK as a volunteer with the international scouting movement. Eventually, he told someone about what had happened to him, and he was referred to The Salvation Army. One of the church and charity’s support workers is helping him to recover from the toll that modern slavery took on his mental and physical health.
Details on how to support the two survivors, whose names have been changed for their safety, can be found at salvationarmy.org.uk/news.
‘We’ll work with ever ybody to make the world a bet ter place’
Ahead of the election on Thursday (4 July), Major NICK COKE and RYAN GOW of The Salvation Army’s Public Affairs Unit reveal how the non-partisan church and charity engages in politics
Interview by Emily Bright
Politics. Love it or loathe it, it’s hard to ignore its pivotal role in shaping society, particularly as the general election takes place in the UK on Thursday (4 July).
Whoever forms the new government, the decisions that it makes will affect people’s day-to-day lives and the direction of the country – which is why The Salvation Army believes that exercising the right to vote is an important way to shape the future.
It may seem unusual for a church to take an active interest in politics, but The Salvation Army’s stance is based on the Christian belief that every person is important and should have their voice heard. One way for people to voice their opinions, the organisation says, is
through voting in elections.
Throughout its near 160-year history, The Salvation Army has engaged with politics at both grassroots and national levels, even after elections have come and gone. Today that work is carried out through its Public Affairs Unit (PAU), which champions causes close to the church and charity’s heart.
Major Nick Coke, who heads The Salvation Army’s public affairs work, explains: ‘I’d call The Salvation Army non-partisan. I think we are political –and should be – but with a small ‘p’, because we don’t back any particular party. We’ll work with everybody to make the world a better place.
‘It’s integral that we maintain our position as a critical friend. We want
to work with those that have the levers of power to make the lives of the most marginalised and vulnerable better, and we do that through our Christian values.’
Public affairs manager Ryan Gow adds that his team ‘channel the work and voice’ of The Salvation Army into the rooms and corridors of power, whether they be in central, local or devolved governments.
‘Our organisation is held in incredibly high regard,’ he says. ‘That opens doors for us to have conversations, because people recognise the value that we bring to communities and day-to-day life in the UK and Ireland.’
Nick agrees. ‘Our longevity, our stability and the fact that we’re in 600plus communities around the UK and Ireland mean we are able to speak
uniquely into certain issues. We also work with key leaders and supporters of The Salvation Army to advocate for people in their communities and to advance social justice issues.’
Lots of our churches are engaging with their local authorities
The pair explain what political advocacy looks like in practice, starting from grassroots engagement.
‘Lots of our churches are engaging
with their local authorities and MPs,’ says Nick, ‘and PAU looks to support those doing that work.
‘An example of that would be from my own experience, when I was working at a Salvation Army church in Raynes Park, London. We worked with the local politicians for our council to become a borough of sanctuary for asylum seekers and refugees. We worked with other churches and organisations in our locality to lobby our politicians to make that commitment, and that was very effective.’
Ryan adds: ‘The PAU also looks at the funding of local services and engages in the budget process at all levels.’
The Salvation Army team also operates on a national level, helping to shape the legal framework of the UK, most recently
in speaking up for victims of modern slavery as legislation went through parliament. It played a leading role in the campaign against the Illegal Migration Act – which sought to remove many of the rights and support available to survivors of modern slavery – and worked with partners on broader aspects of the legislation relating to asylum seekers.
In such times, Ryan believes that collaboration with other organisations provides greater political clout.
‘Some of the biggest challenges that we face can be overcome by working with partners, whether in the faith community or other sectors. It’s
Nick Coke Ryan Gow
important that we work in coalitions to amplify the core message or argument.’
In an era of heightened political division, co-operation seems more essential than ever. And The Salvation Army hopes to be a unifying force in the political debate, says Nick, who takes inspiration from his Christian faith.
‘We want reconciliation between people, we don’t want division. Sometimes we might want to voice anger about some issues, but generally we try to do it in a way that builds relationships between people and communities.
‘Jesus says in the Bible: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” I think a peacemaker isn’t just somebody who calms down a situation. Politicians – and those who involve themselves in politics – can become peacemakers, working together with others to bring peace, to make sure our societies are run in the best way we can.’
This desire for a better world has been a driving force of The Salvation Army since its inception in 1865. William Booth, its founder, felt compelled by his Christian faith to offer practical help to those who most needed it.
‘From the early days,’ says Nick, ‘The Salvation Army realised that part of sharing the good news of Jesus with people was more than a spiritual thing –it was also about the material, physical
world of the now. We need to find ways in which we can make change in the world. We’re compelled to do it because we want people’s lives to be better.
‘We talk about having fullness of life for all with Jesus. That involves spiritual change, but it is also about supporting people who are suffering injustice because they are excluded. We want to make space for people to have their voice. Jesus did that, in natural, normal ways with the leaders of his day. We’re trying to do the same.’
We’re constantly looking to a better world
And, in a time of popular cynicism, Nick retains a steadfast belief in the power of politics to bring about positive change.
He explains: ‘People generally seem to have a negative picture of politics and political engagement. They think: “Oh, isn’t it all terrible, and it’s getting worse. What’s the point of getting involved?” I don’t feel that. Our work is hopeful because we’re constantly looking to a better world.
‘As Christians, as a church and as people who walk alongside some of the most marginalised people, we need to be having a voice around the table with
decision makers. Politics is a fantastic place to be able to make change and influence things.’
With an election and a new parliamentary term approaching, Ryan hopes that the highest priority of whoever forms the next government will overlap with the mission of the church he works for – ‘to make sure the most vulnerable are supported and protected’.
Freedom, by whatever beans necessary
Dai Hankey
From bean to brew, a coffee business in Cardiff has eliminated exploitation in the supply chain while employing modern slavery survivors. Manumit – a Middle English word meaning ‘to release from slavery’ – is transforming lives through its roastery.
‘The ethical side of the non-profit business is three-prong,’ explains Dai Hankey, who set up the company with co-director Nick Davis in 2017. ‘It’s about providing support for survivors in-house; ethically sourcing our coffee; and giving our profits to anti-slavery projects such as International Justice Mission.’
Dai says that an important part of employing modern slavery survivors is creating a supportive environment. ‘If someone has got problems with the job centre or with their refugee status, we have a pastoral support
The founders of a coffee roastery explain how it is tackling exploitation and modern slavery, one cup at a time
Interview by Emily Bright
worker who will help them out in as many practical ways as she can.’
The company also models a healthy working culture to empower its employees – who are almost exclusively women.
‘We seek to ensure that we don’t raise our voices, and that we speak with dignity and respect to those that we’re working with,’ explains Dai. ‘We want survivors to know that all the staff here – especially the men – are safe to
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Nick Davis
be around. That needs to be experienced.
‘We also tell them that they are inherently precious, regardless of what they may think or have been told about themselves.
‘And they are free to dream. Our job as a business is to try to help them explore their interests and passions. For instance, we’ve got one woman, once trafficked from Albania, who is a really gifted artist. We use her artwork on all our packaging now.’
However, given the trauma that the modern slavery survivors have experienced, recovery can be a complicated and emotional process. Gentle empathy is essential.
‘We’re constantly having to remind ourselves where certain problematic behaviours might be coming from,’ says Dai, ‘because so often they are coming from a place of deep pain.
‘For example, the first survivor that we
employed was a woman from eastern Europe. I asked her to do something in one of the first weeks that she was with us. I said to her: “Can you please do what I’ve already asked you to do?” She shouted at me: “No. I won’t do it.”
‘There was a frosty pause in the roastery. I calmly said to her: “OK well, I am your boss, and it’s a perfectly legitimate request. I’m not going to make you do that right now, but we need to discuss what that means if someone asks you for something reasonable.”
‘She was previously trapped in sexual exploitation, and I dread to think how many men she wanted to say no to but couldn’t. The fact that in that moment she had the agency to say no to me, as a man in authority, was really significant and I didn’t want to crush that.’
Crucially, Dai – who is also a church
pastor – explains that Manumit’s entire approach ‘is grounded in a logical outworking of a compassionate faith’.
He continues: ‘The onus on us in the Scriptures is to pursue justice and mercy. Faith informs everything we do in the business.’
Coffee roasting is a controlled and safe environment
The enterprise itself emerged through a monthly prayer gathering in Cardiff, which began in 2013. A group of people across south Wales, who wanted to tackle modern slavery, were looking for answers on where to start. Nicknamed ‘redemption’ sessions or ‘red’ sessions for short, the prayer meetings gave rise to a charity called Red Community.
‘Red Community exists to raise awareness about modern slavery within a Welsh context,’ says Dai. ‘We set up a befriending project called Embrace, training up men and women from churches in south Wales to support people who have been trafficked.
‘We also assessed whether we could provide employment opportunities. One of the trustees I was working with said to me: “What about coffee roasting? It would be a controlled and safe environment.”’
Around that time, Dai came across a coffee shop owner who was using a 1950s-style German roaster in his garden shed. He was looking for a safer location to use the equipment in.
Dai offered to find a coffee warehouse for the shop owner in return for the use of his German coffee roaster. A deal was struck, and Manumit began. The fledgling coffee company also connected with Bawso, an organisation which supports black and ethnic minority women caught up in violence and modern slavery, and it signposted Manumit to potential employees.
Next, Manumit had to locate suppliers who were in line with its ethics.
‘If we say we’re selling slavery-free coffee but people aren’t being well looked after who are growing it, that’s rank
Manumit Coffee has run a roastery since 2017
hypocrisy,’ asserts Dai.
Co-director Nick set about sourcing beans. He came across a charity called Jenga, which had created a Ugandan coffee company – Zukuka Bora – which began in Mbale, a city next to Mount Elgon – a mountainside primarily home to subsistence farmers.
‘The farmers had almost given up growing coffee beans because they were being taken advantage of,’ says Nick. ‘People were taking away the coffee and promising to come back and pay them once they themselves were paid. That was the last the farmers heard of them.
‘Zukuka Bora wanted to use a different model, paying these farmers on the delivery of their crop, not on its sale. They were also determined to get the best
quality and pay the best prices.
‘Also, there are a couple of months where there’s nothing actually growing that’s ready to eat. Zukuka Bora recognised this, so they thought: “If we pay a bonus then, it’s available for the farmers to buy food on the market.”
‘In addition they wanted to keep jobs within the community, so they set up drying and washing stations and processing plants that are actually on the mountain.’
Nick, who has worked on the ground in Uganda alongside Zukuka Bora, can testify to its transparent and fair production methods.
‘I’ve met many of the farmers, I know all the people working in the washing stations and processing plants, and I can vouch for
the supply chain all the way through.’
From an ethos of ethical sourcing through to its care for the wellbeing of employees, faith is the cornerstone of all Manumit does. Dai sees parallels between the freedom that the business brings to modern slavery survivors and how he has found freedom in his relationship with Jesus.
‘He is the one who redeemed me from slavery to sin,’ he explains. ‘What I’m doing with this ministry is seeking to put on display what Jesus has done.
‘He has been very gracious. Through his death and his resurrection on the cross, he broke the chains of slavery that I was bound to – chains of anger, rage, and addiction to sin. Because he set me free, my job is to live to honour him.’
Your prayers are requested for Frances, that the problem in her community will be dealt with.
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’.
jBecoming 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. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever.
Thank you, Lord Jesus.
Amen
Wisdom in the words
Andrew Stone explores song lyrics that have a note of truth about them
First record of freedom
I love streaming music through the app on my phone. It means that within minutes I can be listening to any song or piece of music that I think of. But, for me, there is also a downside to streaming.
People of a certain age had a rite of passage that streaming has done away with – buying your first record. In my case, that consisted of my 12-year-old self walking into Woolworths and purchasing a seven-inch vinyl disc by Toyah Willcox, the A-side of which had her singing ‘I Want To Be Free’.
I can’t remember what song featured on the B-side, but ‘I Want To Be Free’ will always hold a special place in my heart – even though my tastes in music have changed in the decades since.
The song itself was one of rebellion. According to the lyrics, wallpaper was going to be torn down, TVs blown up and suburbia turned upside down. ‘Don’t want someone living my life for me,’ Toyah sang, adding: ‘Want to be free.’
The record was released at the time when I was beginning to wonder if my parents ever knew best and I thought that my schoolteachers were no more than killjoys and generally best ignored. (My thoughts about my parents, teachers and authority figures in general have also changed in the years since.)
However, the appeal of being free has never been lost on me. Like many people, I don’t like the idea of being overly constrained in what I can and can’t do. So when I read in the Bible that Jesus said he had come to ‘proclaim freedom’ (Luke 4:18 New International Version) it caught my attention.
Jesus even went further. Referring to himself as the Son with God as his Father, Jesus said: ‘If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed’ (John 8:36).
Over the years, I’ve learnt that the freedom Jesus gives us isn’t the freedom I craved as a youngster – that is, to do what you like. Instead Jesus gives us the freedom to live life to the full by following his lead. Following Jesus can turn our lives upside down – but in an amazing way. If we really want to be free, he can show us how.
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Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International
QUICK QUIZ
1 2 3 4 5 6
Who played Neo in the 1999 sci-fi film The Matrix?
In which US state is Chicago?
What is the largest zoo in the UK?
Who wrote the children’s book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland?
In British Sign Language, what does waving a hand left and right with the palm open mean?
What is the capital of Finland?
Get set for a sporty summer
Feature by Claire Brine
What a result! For fans keen on following games, sets and matches across a variety of sports, there’s plenty to choose from this summer.
As the excitement builds for football supporters approaching the halfway mark in the Euros, other sports are drawing near to their start time. Over in Florence, teams have been gearing up for an Italian start to the Tour de France, the gruelling 21-stage cycle race, which gets under way today (Saturday 29 June). For the first time since 1905, the competitors will be speeding towards the race’s finish line in Nice, rather than its usual home of Paris, as the French capital is busy making its final preparations for the Olympics next month.
On this side of the Channel, a number of sport stars who are dreaming of Olympic glory will head to the Manchester Regional Arena this weekend for the UK Athletics Championships. The track and field events serve as valuable preparation for athletes who’ve set their sights on representing Team GB in Paris.
Perhaps equally exciting – though less likely to make headline news –is the fact that thousands of pupils across the UK are about to enter into the school sports day season. Wherever we look, it seems that sport is in the spotlight.
However physically active we are (or not), references to sport and fitness often crop up in conversation. People talk about overcoming hurdles, doing something off your own bat or achieving goals at work.
Many Christians reflect on their life as a race in which they are running, fuelled by their faith. Any time the path ahead becomes tough, they find strength by trusting in Jesus to help them.
One Bible writer outlined his strategy like this: ‘I run towards the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to Heaven’ (Philippians 3:14 Contemporary English Version
When we strive to live our lives as followers of Jesus, we are able to experience his love in this world and celebrate with eternal joy in the next. Though we may not have yet reached our personal best, the invitation to join his team is always open.
PUZZLES
Quick
ACROSS
1. Bantered (5)
5. Fraudster (5)
8. Interior (5)
9. Provide food (5) 10. Upper air (5) 11. Ornamental headwear (5)
12. Cistern (4) 15. Coerces (6) 17. Lesser (5) 18. Uproar (6) 20. Pay (4) 25. Whinny (5)
Abrupt (5)
Normal (5)
Vapour (5)
Flowers (5)
Concise (5)
Coat (6) 2. Baby cat (6)
Filthy (5)
Relative by
(2-3)
Inventor (7)
Racial (6)
Pulsates (6)
Consumed (3)
CROSSWORD
14. Energy (3)
15. Proverbially cunning animal (3) 16. Laid by a bird (3) 17. Frenzy (7)
18. Acrimonious (6)
19. Rubbish (6)
21. Kidnap (6)
22. Use (6)
23. Broader (5)
24. Fool (5)
Enchiladas
INGREDIENTS
For the sauce
2 garlic cloves
60g onion, chopped
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp chilli flakes
½ tsp dried basil
½ tsp ground cumin
100g chopped tomatoes
For the filling
10ml vegetable oil
100g carrot, diced
150g onion, diced
2 peppers, diced
1tsp smoked paprika
400g chicken thighs, diced
80g tomato puree
200g chopped tomatoes
20g fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper
4 wraps
150g cheddar cheese, grated
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 160C/ Gas Mark 3.
Place all the sauce ingredients into a blender and whizz until smooth.
To make the filling, heat the oil in a large pot and sauté the carrot, onion and peppers for 5 minutes. Add the smoked paprika and chicken pieces, then stir. Cook for 5 minutes over a medium-high heat, stirring regularly, until the chicken is browned.
Add the tomato puree and chopped tomatoes, then stir well. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Add the parsley and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
To assemble the enchiladas, lay the wraps on plates and split the filling equally between them. Roll them up tightly. Pour the sauce into an oven dish and lay the four wraps, seam side down, on top. Cover with the grated cheese.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbling.
Honey cornbread muffins
INGREDIENTS
250g polenta
250g gluten-free self-raising flour
2tsp gluten-free baking powder
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 eggs
250g plain yogurt
250g clear honey, plus extra, to drizzle
250g butter, melted
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas Mark 5. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.
Add the polenta, flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda to a large bowl and whisk together.
Break the eggs into a separate bowl. Add the plain yogurt, honey and butter, then whisk together.
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until fully combined. Divide the batter evenly between the paper cases and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown, risen and set in the middle. Remove from the oven and leave to cool a little. While still slightly warm, drizzle some of the extra honey over each one,
Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. All things are passing; God never changes
Teresa of Avila