War Cry 31 October 2020

Film-maker draws on her beliefs in new animation

31 October 2020 20p/25c

Tackling tough times as Six Nations reaches finale

Up for the challenge ‘My faith helped me through my cancer’

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 7498

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

Your local Salvation Army centre

INFO 2 • War Cry • 31 October 2020

EDITOR

From desk From the the editor’s desk

THE rule of thumb within many media outlets is that bad news sells.

Despite the is fact thatfor many they would prefer hear more SINGING good you.people So saysay scientists quoted onto the positive news, website. research The has experts suggested wesinging are more BBC Future saidthat that cannaturally boost drawn to negative stories. our moods and sense of social connection.

There are, of exceptions. coverage of Captain Tom Perhaps it iscourse, with these benefitsThe in mind that people haveSir been Moore’s inspiring efforts to raise money for the NHS stole the headlines joining online choirs during lockdown. In this week’s issue, the from the other stories during peak of the first coronavirus Warsome Cry’s of Sarah Olowofoyeku joins athe virtual rehearsal of the London wave earlier this year.

During that time, our news feeds were dominated International Gospel Choir to discover for herself the pleasures bypeople reportshave of rising infections, hospital deaths claims about found of singing alone,admissions, yet together with and others. people in the public eyeHardwick not adhering to the similar lockdown restrictions.

Meanwhile Austen has found value in running.

It could be argued fascination with negativity be seen This week’s War Crythat alsoour includes an interview with thecan marathon beyond our preference for news stories.

This weekend includes two runner who found that his sport helped him to regain his life after notable days in the strokes calendar.

Tomorrow (Sunday 1 November) is All he suffered three while in his early forties.

Saints’ Day, when some in therunning Christian those saints However, it was not only thatChurch helpedremember Austen’s recovery.

– His good people –faith whoplayed have died and gone to Heaven.

Christian a vital part in him taking a positive Today is Hallowe’en, originally approach to all that he faced. a day to prepare for All Saints’ Day but which has come associated withsays, ghost and ghouls and ‘things ‘When I was to in be hospital,’ Austen ‘I asked God to take what that go bump in the night’ – and Hallowe’en will capture far more I was going through and to transform me through it.’ people’s attention thanthat All Saints’ Day. Christians believe God can take any situation or anything As War Cry team member Linda this week’s issue, that they do or face and use it to McTurk make a reflects positive in impact in others’ Hallowe’en hasown. also That become with fun and dressing up and lives or their has associated been the experience of painter Oliver with a community interaction that in normal times is certainly to be Pengilley. encouraged.

But what does it say aboutcareer human that thissome takes Oliver had developed a successful asnature an artist with place on a day seen as being connected with the scary rather than of his work selling for significant sums of money. But, as he tells the next to good, godly people? theday Warwith Cry its thislinks week, he grew frustrated.

The Bible says: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever ‘I didn’t see the meaning of it,’ he says. Now he travels to is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever admirable – churches all over the world to paint pictures duringisworship if sessions anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about suchpeople things’in and his faith-based artwork –has helped other (Philippians 4:8 New International Version). their own faith journey.

Our aim to do that each week the War that the It is anisamazing truth that Godin can takeCry. any We skillhope a person hasstories weortell shine athey lightare on facing the excellent, praiseworthy anywill situation and canadmirable transformand it into something impact thechange Christian faith makes lives every around day. them. that can their lives and on thepeople’s lives of the people

Contents

What is The Salvation Army?

FEATURES 3

Six of the best Rugby’s international tournament concludes

5

Digging deep Festival of Archaeology celebrates the past

6

Lights, camera: action!

How a film-maker is standing up for freedom of belief

8

‘I needed God in order to get out of bed’ A breast cancer survivor’s story

REGULARS 4

War Cry World

12

Team Talk

13

Now, There’s a Thought!

14 Puzzles 15

War Cry Kitchen

6 Front-page picture: PA

8

15

PA

SPORT

Rugby in trying times

I

Josh Adams scores a try for Wales in their Six Nations win over Italy

As the Six Nations Championship comes to an end, Wales defence coach BYRON HAYWARD gives Philip Halcrow his perspective

T comes to the crunch today (Saturday 31 October).

Rugby’s Six Nations Championship is set to reach its conclusion, seven months after it was suspended as a result of coronavirus lockdowns.

A lot has changed since 1 February when defending champions Wales kicked off the tournament with a 42-0 win over Italy. Wales will not be able to retain their trophy after losses to Ireland, France and England.

But more notably their players – like and we won’t be going home until we those of the other teams – have had to get off the plane from Paris. When we spend a lot of time off the pitch. Even had a day off from training, we weren’t as they return, their match at Parc y allowed out of our hotel. We wear Scarlets against Scotland today is masks and we’re tested every week.’ taking place during another lockdown.

Even though the players have been Wales defence coach Byron playing regional rugby in crowdless Hayward is one of the players and staff grounds, Byron admits getting to grips with international rugby that it will still be different during a pandemic. not playing a Six Nations Speaking from south Wales ahead match in a packed of their warm-up match in France last Principality Stadium, weekend, he says: ‘We’re in a bubble, ‘which is usually like an extra player for us’.

Rugby currently looks unusual, but Byron, who played the sport before and after it turned professional, hopes it can always be enjoyable.

‘I’ve always loved being on the field with the boys and building those relationships,’ he says. ‘Yes, there are pressures to get results and we work hard, but it’s important to keep that perspective and make sure you enjoy what you’re doing.’

Byron’s perspective on life has been shaped by his decision to become a ‘fully committed’ Christian.

‘I was in and out of faith all my life,’ he says. ‘I went to Sunday school, my grandparents took me to church, but from the age of 11 or 12, I was just obsessed with sport until I finished playing.’

However, after being treated for an Byron Hayward

eye cancer in 2013, he felt he should go to church.

‘I got to know a few people there, and I enjoyed the feeling I had when I went – that feeling of love. Now faith is the most important thing in my life.’

He is certain that his faith has improved his coaching.

‘It has helped me be more empathetic.

When we finish playing, we can forget that we used to make mistakes.

Players don’t miss tackles on purpose. I try to find out the reasons for it, and help them out.

‘I see my job as a coach to do everything I can to help players become better and have better experiences in rugby, which gives you better life experiences.’

Faith has also shaped Byron’s perspective off the pitch. Recently, he has been helping a church deliver food parcels to people in the community.

‘That’s real pressure, when you can’t put food on the table for your children,’ he says.

And during a time of worries, he has found encouragement in the Bible – in particular passages showing how God helps people in their toughest times.

‘It can give us courage,’ says Byron.

‘When we are going through storms, we can know that Jesus is by our side.’

It’s important to enjoy what you’re doing

31 October 2020 • War Cry • 3

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WAR CRY

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THE Church of England co-owns numerous hits by artists including Beyoncé (pictured), Justin Timberlake and Rihanna, the BBC has reported.

‘Single Ladies’, ‘Sexyback’ and ‘Umbrella’ are among the songs that have been bought

by Hipgnosis, whose investors include the Church of England.

When songs are played on the radio or featured in films or TV shows, Hipgnosis receives royalty fees, with profits passed on to its investors.

To date, Hipgnosis has spent more than £776 million on music from artists including Mark Ronson, Barry Manilow and Blondie.

Hipgnosis founder Merck Mercuriadis explains: ‘If you take a song like the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams” or Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”, you’re talking three to four decades of reliable income.’

Churches provide billions in community support Charlie Clift

THE UK’s churches provided £12.4 billion worth of essential social and economic support to communities during the 12 months to May this year, according to the National Churches Trust.

In a new report, The House of Good, the trust says that the figure is ‘roughly equal to total NHS spending on mental health in England in 2018’.

The report reveals that churches contribute £8.3 billion in ‘wellbeing value’ to the hundreds of thousands of people who benefit from social and community services provided in them, or with their help, every year.

Describing the figures contained in its report as ‘a conservative evaluation’, the trust – which works to support churches throughout the UK – notes that the £8.3 billion includes £7 billion generated through the distribution of food to people in need. ‘There are more food banks than McDonald’s in the UK,’ it points out. ‘Most are linked to a church building.’

But the trust is anxious that local and national government should continue to support church buildings. It estimates that every £10 invested in church buildings creates a return in value equivalent to £37.40.

‘During the Covid-19 pandemic, churches were placed in the same category as gyms and cinemas, and forced to lock down,’ says the trust.

‘But for the most vulnerable in our society, the support church buildings offer is not a recreational choice – it’s an essential need.

‘Covid-19 has made us all familiar with the term “key workers”. We believe it’s time to identify the “key places” where we will start to rebuild our communities and look after our most vulnerable people.’

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A volunteer at the South London Warehouse food bank, run from a Streatham church

4 • War Cry • 31 October 2020

ATHLETE Daniel Rowden has told BBC Sport: ‘God is in control. I live my life to please him.’

The 23-year-old won the 800m at a meeting in Zagreb last month. His time put him joint-ninth on the top ten list of the fastest British 800m runners in history. He told the BBC, however, that his achievement was due to things out of his control, such as genetics and opportunities and was ‘not down to me’.

The perspective stems from his Christian faith. ‘For some athletes, athletics is everything and their whole level of success as a person revolves around their performances,’ he said.

‘For me, my faith and how God views me is so much bigger.’

FEATURE

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CHRISTIAN Aid is one of several charities to warn that the G20 – the 20 countries which represent 80 per cent of the world’s economic output – must take action to compel private creditors to cancel debts of developing countries ‘to avoid the loss of many more lives’.

In a report, Under the Radar, Christian Aid, Cafod, Oxfam, Jubilee Debt Campaign and Global Justice Now highlight that many low and middleincome countries have less money to meet the immediate needs of their population during the coronavirus pandemic because of their debt payments to financial institutions.

The briefing outlines the detrimental effect foreign debt has had on the public finances of five African countries, including Kenya, whose government has spent £2.1 billion this year in debt payments.

Matti Kohonen, Christian Aid’s private sector adviser, says: ‘It’s outrageous that private sector banks like HSBC and investment funds managed by Blackrock are still – six months into the crisis – being paid in full, while debt owed to donor governments will now be on hold until the end of June 2021 and possibly longer. Even before the pandemic a total of 64 developing nations spent more in debt servicing than on public health.

‘To protect the poorest and those most impacted by the crisis, we must see the cancelling of all debt payments – government and private sector – extended until end of 2022.’

Do you have a story to share? a warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk @TheWarCryUK TheWarCryUK

B salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

ALL IN THE PAST But archaeology festival also encourages us to look to the future, writes Claire Brine

D

PA

IG deep – it’s time to excavate your inner archaeologist. The Festival of Archaeology, which concludes tomorrow (Sunday 1 November), has been encouraging people to get their hands dirty to explore historic sites and the stories behind them.

This year, armchair archaeologists can log in to the festival’s website and find a range of talks and virtual events, including a tour of Fulham Palace, hosted by its community archaeologist Alexis Haslam.

Those feeling a little more active have been able to get outdoors and head to their local burial ground. Festival organisers the Council for British Archaeology are asking visitors to collect and submit data as part of a national effort in graveyard memorial recording.

As well as looking backwards, the festival is encouraging people to look to the future by considering the theme of climate and the environment. It suggests that when we gain a greater understanding of our changing environment, we will be better equipped to protect our archaeological sites from deterioration, decay and erosion. The survival of our history depends on our action in the present.

Whether we are budding archaeologists or not, most would agree that ancient remains and artefacts all around the world are precious. Not everything on this Earth lasts for ever. Anything that can survive through the ages is rare – and remarkable.

But that’s the case with the message of God’s love. While the Bible tells us that it was first experienced by people living thousands of years ago, it has spanned centuries and continues to influence people today.

One Bible writer who recognised the infinite nature of God’s concern for humankind declared: ‘His love endures for ever’ (Psalm 136:1 New International Version).

Despite the passing of the years, God’s love never decays with time. It’s a love that pieces us back together when we hit rock bottom; that offers unlimited forgiveness when our behaviour damages others; that promises the hope of eternal life in Heaven.

Surely that’s a treasure worth discovering.

Ancient remains and artefacts are precious

31 October 2020 • War Cry • 5

Drawing on human rights MARAL KARAEE tells Sarah Olowofoyeku about the inspiration behind her animated short film on the freedom of belief

‘I

MAGINATION in animation is endless,’ says Maral Karaee, a storyteller and film-maker based in Canada. In her award-winning short animated film, District 18, she imagines a world in which people are segregated by their differences.

The three-minute film’s protagonist is not happy about it, however, and no one else seems to be enjoying life all that much either. She is in the red group, and can only work with other red people and buy red groceries with red money. She dreams of a less monotonous life – one where she is allowed to buy yellow and green groceries or support a blue person who is need.

One day, she inadvertently mixes with a creature from another colour group. She is ostracised, and ends up alone and sad – until she hears the sound of laughter coming from a nearby park. She moves

6 • War Cry • 31 October 2020

closer and discovers a utopia where all four of the colours can mix. The sign at the entrance is District 18.

Maral explains that the film is based on Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which says that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

‘The film’s main subject is religious freedom. I want my audience to understand that having tolerance towards each other is important.’

Maral was, in part, inspired to make the film by her own experience in her home country.

‘I came from a Muslim background,’ she says. ‘As a child in Iran, I grew up with a lot of fear of what was going to happen, what I was going to be blamed for. I lived with a constant feeling of guilt.

‘I moved to the Netherlands, and after a few years I learnt more about

Christianity and became interested in it. I realised that the feelings I had about God were not true. A relationship with God is more about love than fear. The moment I realised that, I decided that that was what I wanted to have. I gained a feeling of peace, joy and hope.’

While Maral’s own family allowed her religious freedom growing up and she was not pushed towards a specific belief, she says that such freedom is not experienced

INTERVIEW

Maral’s short film depicts a world in which people are separated by their differences by many people in Iran.

‘I cannot go back to my country, because of my faith,’ she tells me. ‘So many are suffering right now in Iran as a result of their faith, and lots of persecution is going on – not only of Christians, but also of other minorities. So I always think about them, and I don’t take for granted that I’m in a free society, where I can talk easily about my faith.’

She wants to use her creative talents to make a difference and raise awareness.

‘I’m not a religious freedom expert,’ she says. ‘I’m simply a storyteller, and I’m trying to use my skills to be the voice of the voiceless and to bring hope through my art, especially to children and the next generation. Sometimes people might not know that these topics exist, so the stories are a hint to get them curious.’

District 18 was certainly a success in that regard, and has pointed audiences to the plight of those people persecuted in Iran. Earlier this year, Maral was recognised for the short film and won the grand prize in the animation category of the Short Film Competition run by Empower Women Media and the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation.

Maral began working on the idea for District 18, which was her first short film, last year.

‘That was preproduction, when I was working more on the story and trying to figure how I wanted to show the topic.’ she says. ‘The brainstorm session was longer than the production itself because it’s difficult to get such a big idea into a

short film format. The main production took place during the lockdown.

‘In a sense it was a blessing because I had a few other projects that got paused, so I was able to concentrate on this film full-time. It was like art therapy for me. I did everything myself – creating the characters, doing the illustrations, the background design and the animating part of the film. It was like a one-man show.’

Maral studied graphic design and animation, and taught herself about the foundations of storytelling and film-making. She thinks animation is a good medium for getting across big ideas because of what it allows the animator to do.

‘You can create or go to places that in real life you might not be able to,’ she says.

‘Animation gives you the possibility to be creative and you can use it to communicate with any age group. It’s unlimited.’

I’m trying to bring hope through my art

l Watch District 18 at maralkaraee.com

Maral Karaee 31 October 2020 • War Cry • 7

I wasn’t alone In Breast Cancer Awareness Month, LIZZI YENTUMI tells Sarah Olowofoyeku about how she faced the disease while in her twenties

I Lizzi Yentumi

Lizzi receiving chemotherapy 8 • War Cry • 31 October 2020

N the summer of last year, Lizzi Yentumi was in bed, praying, when she found a lump on her breast. ‘I wasn’t really worried when I found it,’ she says. ‘Women tend to have a lot of benign lumps and bumps, but because I already was aware that I had a gene called BRCA1 – a cancer gene – I knew it could be a bit more serious.’

In 2017, Lizzi got tested to see if she was at risk, because her mum, Katherine, who lives with her in south London, had had breast cancer. She learnt that she had the gene, which meant that she had a higher likelihood than most of developing breast cancer.

‘Breast cancer is rare in people my age,’ she explains, ‘so my consultant said that I wasn’t going to be tested in any way until I was 30, in about four years. I was told not to worry.’

Two years later, however, after a visit to the doctor to check on the lump, Lizzi was told that she had breast cancer. ‘I was oddly very calm,’ she recalls. ‘I felt like God was with me. Gracefully, it was stage 1, but it was a grade 3 tumour, which is the fastestgrowing type. So it was a bit of good news and bad news all in one.’

After the diagnosis, Lizzi underwent some more tests and she had some decisions to make.

She remembers: ‘There were lots of meetings in the following week, phone calls with my consultant to decide what surgery to have. I had the option of a lumpectomy to remove the tumour and the surrounding area, a single mastectomy to get rid of my whole breast or a double mastectomy for both breasts, which is the safest thing to do in a way but also the biggest amount of trauma on the body. Three days after my diagnosis, I decided on a single mastectomy.

‘It was overwhelming. There

INTERVIEW

when I had cancer

Lizzi’s mum, who has had breast cancer herself, was Lizzi’s main source of support throughout her treatment was so much information to read, but my hospital was incredible. I also had to tell my family members. I have a huge family in Ghana, so I had lots of Whatsapp and Skype calls with them. My parents were incredibly supportive. As were my mum’s sister and her daughter, who are both doctors, so they also knew their stuff.’

Lizzi also felt supported

by God. After an examination that followed her diagnosis, she says, ‘the doctor was on one side of the curtain, and I was on the other side where he had left me to put my clothes back on. I remember sitting down and there was a chair next to me. My mum didn’t come into the office with me as I thought it would be too hard for her, so she was in the waiting room. As I put my clothes back on, I felt God asking me, “Who do you think the second chair is for?” as if to say he was with me. I really appreciated that.’

Lizzi’s naturally positive outlook and faith helped her through a tough time, but a friend reminded her of the truth that, just because she was a Christian, she didn’t always have to remain positive.

‘I was at a 72-hour worship event in

Sussex and was speaking to a friend of mine there,’ she explains. ‘When I told her about the cancer, she was in bits. But I was cheerful and said God was going to use it for his glory. I was being far too optimistic I think.

She told me that just because God was going to be glorified through it, didn’t mean he was not mourning the fact that this was happening to me. I was irritated that she had reacted that way.

‘For about 60 of the 72 hours of the event, I denied that I was grieving, or that I was upset or angry. Then on the last night, I was in the middle of a crowd, and I lost it.

I don’t think I have cried like that before.

The grief hit me and I was weeping. But it felt like God was with me in the grief. It felt like he was giving me permission to be honest. I think I had been trying to

I denied that I was upset or angry

Turn to page 10

➥ 31 October 2020 • War Cry • 9

From page 9 do the brave face thing, and give some purpose to the struggle I was about to experience, but I had forgotten that I could just be real with God.’ Lizzi has believed in God all her life, but her faith deepened when she went to university. ‘I started uni trying to be known for being funny and attractive, but when I found a church that I enjoyed, met some wonderful people and realised that I didn’t have to be anyone other than God’s kid, my relationship with him went up a gear,’ she says.

That relationship is what sustained her during her cancer. Before her treatment began, she had to make another decision, about her fertility.

She says: ‘I was going to be having a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is basically a cocktail of drugs that kills all cancerous cells, but it can’t differentiate between them and healthy cells, so it kills all of them, including the ones in your ovaries. I was single so I was given the option to freeze my eggs. That would mean, if my fertility didn’t return after chemo, I’d still have some healthy eggs if I ever wanted to have children. It was a big decision, but I decided to freeze my eggs. I had to give myself lots of injections and I was in and out of hospital, three or four times a week. That was really stressful and a long, difficult process.’

O

Lizzi outside the hospital after finding out the mastectomy had been successful

10 • War Cry • 31 October 2020

nce that was done, and after the successful mastectomy surgery, she began a course of chemotherapy.

‘Every week for ten weeks, I had different cocktails of drugs pumped through my body for three to four hours. I had to take a blood test the day before to check that my body could handle it. A couple of times I was going for a test and they’d tell me that I couldn’t have chemo, because if I did, my body’s defences would be so low that someone sneezing on me could give me pneumonia. It was winter and the flu season, so I had to be extra careful.

‘I finished on 15 January. Eight months later, I had an MRI scan to check there were no visible tumours, and I will have one every year until I’m 40.’

Lizzi describes the weeks after the chemo ended as ‘some of the hardest of my life’. She says: ‘Everything catches up with you almost overnight, because you’re out of hospital and sort of have to go back to normal life.

But it just hit me, repeatedly. I’d cry on the Tube, on the train, on the bus, but

INTERVIEW

Lizzi on holiday in Ghana after ten weeks of chemotherapy, and (left) cheering on colleagues who ran for Cancer Research after hearing about her diagnosis

I didn’t know why, because everyone was saying: “Congratulations, you’re done!”

But I was so low and upset all the time.

‘I didn’t reach out very much, and isolated myself, probably at a time when I did need people. I’ve learnt the lesson that just because something looks like it’s over, there’s still a mental battle going on. If I’m honest, I complained my way to God through that time. I started asking “why me?”. I didn’t spend as much time with God, I had a lot less joy.’

However, thanks to help from two cancer charities, a trip to visit family in

sunny Ghana and her belief that God is always with her, Lizzi came through that rough time.

‘It’s annoying but true that going through difficult times is what makes your faith and your reliance on God stronger,’ she says.

‘I needed God to get out of bed, to stand up in the shower, to go to the loo.

I needed him to maintain my hope and my joy.

‘If someone told me I had to go through all of this again to have the relationship I have with God now, I would. He showed up so powerfully for me in so many ways.

God showed up so powerfully

‘Undetected, that tumour would have killed me, so me finding the lump during prayer was God saving my life.’

After her experience, she is passionate about people checking for lumps. Her advice for Breast Cancer Awareness Month is: ‘Check your breasts every single month, at about the same time. It’s easy to do and can save your life. And that applies to men – it can happen to men too.’

Now on the other side of having cancer, Lizzi reflects on why she held on to her faith: ‘Having a tumour in my body, as a healthy, active, slim 28-year-old, was a huge blow – or it could have been. But I had people reminding me that God was going to get me through it. And he showed me his goodness through the NHS doctors and nurses who were so kind to me, family members who crowded round to support my mum and me, and through my friends who exceeded themselves.

‘Life can be really hard, but God promised us that he has overcome those struggles, and what that means to me is that he will never ditch us or leave us to do life alone.’

31 October 2020 • 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. Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk or to War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, Lon­don SE1 6BN. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.

j

talk ‘ ’

Team talk

EXPLORE

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.

Team talk

A word of advice

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

WHEN a group of elderly people were asked to share some pearls of wisdom with the younger generations, their words made national headlines. Staff at the Yelverton Residential Home in Devon asked the obliging pensioners to write their pieces of advice on a whiteboard, with which they were then photographed. Their offerings – posted on Facebook – made for interesting reading.

Margaret wrote: ‘Spend all your money. Enjoy yourself while you’re young.

Have some cheek. Don’t be pushed around. If you’re nice to people, more often than not they will be nice to you.’

Coral’s advice focused on relationships, with the pointer: ‘Never go to bed without apologising for an argument.’ Betty’s words were short, sweet and made good sense: ‘Help others if you can.’

According to Metro.co.uk, the aim of the exercise was simply to ‘lift spirits during the coronavirus pandemic’, and manager Peter Gaffney was surprised at the media attention. ‘But,’ he said, ‘our residents have made a few wise comments that have made people laugh.’

Funny or not, advice that carries wisdom is bound to be noticed. It’s something many of us seek at difficult times in life. It’s something many of us offer to others when they are struggling. Good advice can bring us comfort when the sentiment behind it says: ‘I’ve been where you are, and here’s how I got through it.’

If any of us have ever collected words of wisdom to help us through tough times, then surely 2020 is the year to reflect on them.

I can’t ignore that the Bible is full of good advice. Much of it, I notice, has been paraphrased over the years – some of it even by the Yelverton residents.

Don’t worry, said Jesus, because you can’t change anything by worrying about it. Treat others how you would like to be treated. Help those who need it. Don’t hold on tightly to money. Make peace with your enemies.

Again and again, he invited people: ‘Follow me’ – which this year, full of its uncertainty and sadness, is surely good advice for all generations.

Surely this is the year to reflect on words of wisdom

Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever.

"

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Amen

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

12 • War Cry • 31 October 2020

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Or email your details and request to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk

EXPRESSIONS

Now, there’s a thought!

q

quick quiz 1

The TV series Spooks was

about the missions of which British organisation?

2

What are the three main

a colours of the national flag of Bolivia?

3

Who is the chief medical officer

4

What are a porcupine’s spines

5

Who wrote the musical

6

How many dice are used in

for England?

called?

Hamilton?

the board game Yahtzee?

ANSWERS

by Linda McTurk

Hallowe’en doesn’t have to be scary G

ROWING up in the USA, I never considered Hallowe’en as ‘a celebration of evil’ or as having any deep meaning to it. Far from it being intimidating, many of my memories of Hallowe’en celebrated in the States are filled with fun and laughter.

When I was little, I went to great lengths to join my cousin Diana, who is three years younger than me, on her Hallowe’en adventures.

One year, my auntie wrapped me in toilet paper so that I could pretend to be a mummified statue. Another year, I wore Diana’s lamb costume from the Canadian-American 1990s children’s show Lamb Chop’s Play-Along. Much to my horror, the costume was not a great fit, only going down to my shins. It was much more embarrassing than scary.

I can understand some people’s hesitation when it comes to celebrating Hallowe’en. The day as it now appears in the UK is a relatively new import from the States, and so it isn’t a given that it will be light-hearted or positive. Sadly, some people have used the occasion as an excuse to behave recklessly and perform malicious pranks on others. But in my experience, they tend to be the minority.

For me, Hallowe’en has been more about gathering together with other people to share funny moments rather than celebrating any deeper purpose. And let’s admit it, during this time of a global pandemic – which is actually quite scary – we could all do with laughing together more, although it may have to be virtually.

The Bible does not mention Hallowe’en specifically, but there are plenty of references to the importance of loving people and living peacefully with others. Jesus commands: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mark 12:31 New International Version). I’m not sure what Jesus thinks about Hallowe’en. But it seems to me that, whether or not we dress up for it, the real trick to building a caring community is to treat others as we would like to be treated.

The costume was not a great fit

31 October 2020 • War Cry • 13

1. MI5. 2. Red, yellow and green.

3. Professor Chris Whitty. 4. Quills.

5. Lin-Manuel Miranda. 6. Five.

CROSSWORD CROSSWORD

PUZZLES

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. First appearance (5) 5. Gem (5) 8. Greeting (5) 9. Toadstools (5) 10. Employing (5) 11. More pleasant (5) 12. Pour down (4) 15. Securely (6) 17. Waterway (5) 18. Idea (6) 20. Prejudice (4) 25. Trainer (5) 26. Scope (5) 27. Shining (5)

28. Food carriage on train (5) 29. Squander (5) 30. Blended (5)

DOWN 1. Flaw (6) 2. Botch (6) 3. Cogitate (5) 4. Bar (5) 5. Newspaper (7) 6. Complain (6)

7. Bequest (6) 13. Self-esteem (3) 14. Pale (3) 15. Tree juice (3) 16. Meadow (3) 17. Yield (7) 18. Not wide (6) 19. Items (6) 21. Flowing in (6) 22. Packed (6) 23. Stain (5) 24. Allure (5)

SUDOKU

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

HONEYCOMB HONEYCOMB

1 4

2

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

Answers

5 4 3 6

8 1

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

Wordsearch AGATHA CHRISTIE

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE GK CHESTERTON GILLIAN FLYNN IAN RANKIN

JAMES ELLROY JAMES RUNCIE

JOHN GRISHAM

MICHAEL CONNELLY PD JAMES

PAULA HAWKINS RUTH RENDELL

SOPHIE HANNAH

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Debut. 5. Jewel.

8. Hello. 9. Fungi. 10. Using. 11. Nicer.

12. Teem. 15. Safely. 17. Canal.

18. Notion. 20. Bias. 25. Coach.

26. Range. 27. Aglow. 28. Diner.

29. Waste. 30. Mixed.

DOWN: 1. Defect. 2. Bungle. 3. Think.

4. Block. 5. Journal. 6. Whinge.

7. Legacy. 13. Ego. 14. Wan. 15. Sap. 16. Lea. 17. Concede.

18. Narrow. 19. Things. 21. Influx.

22. Stowed. 23 Taint. 24 Charm.

HONEYCOMB 1. Nipper. 2. Spleen. 3. Agenda.

4. Bridge. 5. Birdie. 6. Letter.

6 2 9 5 1 7 8 4 3

STIEG LARSSON

7 1 5 4 3 8 2 9 6

8 3 4 2 6 9 5 7 1

5 8 6 3 4 1 9 2 7

1 9 3 7 5 2 4 6 8

4 7 2 8 9 6 3 1 5

3 6 7 9 2 5 1 8 4

2 5 8 1 7 4 6 3 9

9 4 1 6 8 3 7 5 2

SUDOKU SOLUTION

VAL MCDERMID

3

7 8

14 • War Cry • 31 October 2020

6

ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch

1. Child 2. Abdominal organ 3. List of items to be discussed 4. Upper bony part of the nose 5. Golfing term 6. Written communication

8 6 3 3

9

Look up, down, forwards, backwards 6 diagonally 7 8 5on the 1 grid 4 to3find2these 9 and crime and mystery authors

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

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

7

8 2

6 4 3 1

5

4 3

D Meat-free cottage pie Ingredients

Method

600g potatoes, cut into chunks

Cook the potatoes and butternut squash in a large pan of boiling water for 20 minutes or until tender.

500g butternut squash, peeled and cut into chunks 1tsp vegetable oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 carrots, chopped 300g vegetarian mince 400g can chopped tomatoes 150ml reduced-salt vegetable stock 2tsp curry powder 100g closed-cup mushrooms, sliced SERVES

1 courgette, grated

4

Ground black pepper 2tbsp cornflour 1tbsp cold water

Raspberry, orange and apple refresher Ingredients

Method

200g frozen raspberries

Tip the frozen raspberries into a blender and add the apple juice, water and orange juice.

200ml unsweetened apple juice 200ml water 200ml freshly squeezed orange juice

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan and gently fry the onion, garlic and carrots for 2-3 minutes, until softened.

Add the vegetarian mince, tomatoes and stock. Stir in the curry powder, then add the mushrooms and courgette.

Bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with a pinch of black pepper.

Preheat the grill. Warm a large baking dish underneath it for a few moments. Meanwhile, drain and mash the potatoes and butternut squash in a bowl.

Season with black pepper.

Combine the cornflour with the water and add it to the mince mixture, stirring until thickened.

Transfer the mixture to the warm baking dish and spoon the vegetable mash on top.

Grill for 8-10 minutes until browned, then serve.

Whizz together for a few seconds until smooth and blended, then pour into 4 glasses. Serve at once.

SERVES

4

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

31 October 2020 • War Cry • 15

A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it GK Chesterton