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 7612
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 ACTIONS, so it is said, speak louder than words – something for which mime artist Steve Murray is no doubt grateful. In an interview in this week’s War Cry, Steve tells us about his 25 years of performing Christian-based mimes in theatres, churches and schools. He explains that mime has the ability to make people laugh and cry, and he believes this emotional connection enables him to teach people more about the faith. ‘My work is about helping the audience to see the Bible in a new way and find healing from the things that trouble them,’ he says. ‘I want people to see Jesus.’ There are other actions that Christians take to help people see the love Jesus has for them. In Blaydon in Tyne and Wear, a Salvation Army church is supporting people in a practical way. As we report this week, the Victory Programme teaches people how to cook economical meals and then gives them the ingredients to take home so they can make the meals for themselves and their families. To help War Cry readers with the cost of living crisis, for the next few weeks we’ll be running a Money-Wise Meals series, featuring some of the best recipes from the Victory Programme. As in Blaydon, Salvation Army centres all over the country are supporting people in the current crisis through community food larders, the provision of school uniforms and heating and fuel aid. Alison Dare, team leader of the Victory Programme, explains how she is motivated by her Christian faith. ‘We want these people to feel loved and to know they’re worth something,’ she says. Whatever circumstances we may be facing at the moment, it is good to be reminded that we are all loved and valued by God.
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
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 • 28 January 2023
CONTENTS FEATURES
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Counting crows… etc The Big Garden Birdwatch is under way
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Bricks and altar Church uses Lego to appeal to families
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Actions speak louder Mime man talks about his art
10 Food, glorious food Project helps people to cook good low-cost meals 13 Tell tale Storytelling Week celebrates the power of words REGULARS
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Team Talk and War Cry World
12 Walking with Jesus 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen: Money-Wise Meals Front-page picture: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM