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 7642
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 THIS weekend heralds the last bank holiday before Christmas for people living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. So, the weather forecast for the next few days may be watched more closely than usual as they hope for some good weather. Certainly those going to the many festivals taking place will want to be needing their suncream more than their wellies. In this week’s War Cry we report on the history of one such festival – Greenbelt, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Set in some fields in Northamptonshire, Greenbelt brings together thousands of people to celebrate music and the arts, encouraging them also to think about social justice and the Christian faith. ‘We have music, comedy, theatre and visual arts,’ says Paul Northup, the festival’s creative director in an interview. ‘We have panels and speakers looking at issues of social justice and activism. Together, the arts, faith and justice are what make up Greenbelt’s DNA.’ Paul describes how the festival engages with current social issues. This year, he says, there will be a particular focus on the cost of living. ‘It’s a huge issue for us all at the moment,’ he tells us. ‘This year we’ve invited a number of people with experience of poverty to come and share their stories with us, thereby challenging individuals and churches on how they can respond more effectively to this situation. It’s a problem affecting the whole country.’ Churches have a long history of taking action to help people who are facing tough situations. This week we also look back on the 1963 Bristol bus boycott and the discrimination faced by people of colour back then and since. As we speak to two church leaders, we discover the role the Church has played in the quest for justice. Although the Church has sometimes got things very wrong, valuing and treating all people fairly is at the heart of the Christian message. And the offer of a new and eternal life is available to us all, whoever we are.
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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 • 26 August 2023
CONTENTS FEATURES
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No tower of strength Do the police officers have what it takes in ITV drama?
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‘Jesus is depicted in four different ethnicities’ Church window marks Bristol bus boycott
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Arts and faith in a field of their own Greenbelt Festival celebrates 50 years
13 Dancing in the streets Crowds gather for Notting Hill Carnival REGULARS
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War Cry World
12 Moving Experiences 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: ITV