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 7635
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 THERE are not many weeks when the National Health Service – which celebrates its 75th anniversary this month – is out of the news headlines. As well as reports of the challenges it faces, there are the stories of how dedicated staff have saved lives and helped millions of people. In the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic, standing on doorsteps on a Thursday evening to clap NHS and other frontline workers was a tangible way for many of us to express our thanks to the people who look after our communities – people such as Vicky Gate, who in this week’s War Cry talks about her work as a nurse in a paediatric A&E department in Blackpool. ‘The NHS provides a place of healing – that’s how I see it,’ she says. In the interview, as well as talking through some of her work challenges, Vicky recalls how she felt drawn by God to nursing. She also explains how her faith now plays a role in her working life. ‘God gives me the courage and peace that I need. And I think my faith also helps me to be more understanding of patients and their families,’ she says. ‘I am grounded by my faith so that I can give the parents the reassurance they’re looking for.’ We don’t have to be working in the stressful world of the NHS to need something that gives us courage, peace and a sense of being grounded. The good news is that God offers all this and more to anyone who believes in him and is willing to follow his direction for their life. It’s unlikely we’ll make the headlines if we accept his offer, but it will make all the difference to the life that we live.
When you’ve read the War Cry, why not pass it on ➔ ➔ ➔
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: Brian Peddle 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
6 9 13
INFO 15 Your local Salvation Army centre
2 • WAR CRY • 8 July 2023
CONTENTS FEATURES
3
A tangled web ITVX drama examines the effects of lying
6
‘I lived with fear, anger and a sense of betrayal’ Rock bottom drove former criminal to seek healing
9
Nursing the nation Life working for the NHS
13 Time, please Why Alcohol Awareness Week matters REGULARS
4
War Cry World
14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page pictures: SHUTTERSTOCK, ALAMY AND VICKY GATE