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 7629
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 marks the end of the football season for the Women’s Super League and the men’s Premier League in England and the Scottish Premiership. For those fans and players whose teams have struggled, the end of the campaign cannot come quickly enough. But for those players who are contemplating retirement at the end of the season, the games may seem to have been speeding towards the final whistle sounding on their playing days. In this week’s War Cry, we speak with former Premier League footballer Julio Arca, who explains the challenges players can face when they hang up their boots. ‘In football you see a lot of mental health issues, especially when footballers retire,’ he tells us. ‘People forget that footballers are still human beings and have problems. And people I know have gone through mental health issues.’ Because of this, Arca was keen to take up an invitation to support the work that The Salvation Army carries out at Swan Lodge, one of its centres in Sunderland which help people who are experiencing homelessness. As we report, Arca – who now manages South Shields FC – gives up his time every week to run football and fitness sessions for residents facing some of life’s toughest challenges. Jack is one of the participants benefiting from the sessions, and he says that they are helping his self-esteem. He also describes the other help he receives as a resident at Swan Lodge. ‘You get a basic room with a lounge and you get three meals a day and wi-fi and everything you need. I’m living there currently, but I’m looking to move on,’ he says. At Swan Lodge, and other centres across the country, The Salvation Army works tirelessly to help people move on in their lives. It has been doing so for more than 150 years, and that seasoned support will not be ending any time soon.
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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: 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
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INFO 15 Your local Salvation Army centre
2 • WAR CRY • 27 May 2023
CONTENTS FEATURES
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Driving force The Fast and Furious franchise is heading towards its final destination
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‘She was vibrant and bright’ Author’s take on a medieval mystic
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Game-changer Former Premier League player’s work with people who need support
13 Treasure hunt TV series explores National Trust gems REGULARS
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War Cry World
12 How to… 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: © UNIVERSAL STUDIOS