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 7643
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 WITH access to the internet, children have an unlimited resource of information and entertainment that their parents and grandparents could never have dreamt of when they were young themselves. Sadly, that treasure trove of possibilities can also be full of danger. There are unscrupulous people who want to abuse and take advantage of youngsters online. The potential for harm means that it’s important for young people to learn how to use the internet safely. As they settle into the new academic year, some pupils will benefit from a drama staged by theatre company Saltmine. As we report in this week’s War Cry, the company is touring schools and presenting Blast Off, a play that introduces the themes of being safe and keeping to the rules and is then followed up with workshops that apply those themes to staying safe online. ‘We’re all about preventative education at Saltmine,’ the play’s director Ben Kessell tells us, ‘and how we can use story and theatre to connect with children and teach them a really important thing.’ While parents at the schools will no doubt be pleased that their child is learning how to surf the net safely, they may not have expected Saltmine to be a Christian organisation. But Ben believes that helping in such a practical way is a natural thing for Christians to do. ‘We’re following the example of Jesus,’ he says. ‘He was the ultimate storyteller. He captured people with a story, but within that there was a message he wanted to communicate. He talked about things that people related to – sheep, trees, neighbours – and it’s the same for us. ‘We believe in the value of every human being and every child. That’s why preventative education is such a big part of what we do. We want to look after these young people.’ Caring for others, whether young or old, is one of the core principles taught by Jesus and, as we report every week in the War Cry, it’s the reason why Christians are helping people in ways that otherwise may not have been dreamt of.
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Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org Founder: William Booth General: Lyndon Buckingham Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Editor-in-Chief: Major Julian Watchorn Published weekly by The Salvation Army © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by CKN Print, Northampton, on sustainably sourced paper
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INFO 15 Your local Salvation Army centre
2 • WAR CRY • 2 September 2023
CONTENTS FEATURES
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Many happy returns? Cindy and Ian are back in Albert Square
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Safety first Drama takes internet lessons into primary schools
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‘Llamas relate in a different way’ How people are being helped by some furry friends
13 Choice drama Interactive show premieres on Netflix REGULARS
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Team Talk and War Cry World
12 Now, There’s a Thought! 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: BBC/JACK BARNES/KIERON McCARRON