When I was in my twenties, I lived in Kings Cross in London and was a member of a local church. There, I got to know a man who was a former crack addict. We'll call him Ian. He was doing his best to put his life back together and get work as a painter… Continue reading The need for grace and truth: the complexity of compassion #1
Empowering change: carrying the burdens of others so each can carry their own load
I sat in a church listening to a woman tell me about the horrific domestic violence that she had experienced from her former partner. It had left her so scared that even when she had moved out she slept in the wardrobe of her new room to try to feel safe. But she then told… Continue reading Empowering change: carrying the burdens of others so each can carry their own load
Doing is a tricky thing – by Alan Carson
St Francis may have said “You do not know, what you have not practiced” I say may because I can only find it referenced in the writings of Dorothy Day but if it’s only her quote that’s still good enough for me. By the standards of St Francis, or at the very least Ms Day,… Continue reading Doing is a tricky thing – by Alan Carson
‘Guard your heart: the wellspring of life’
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 Our physical hearts are… Continue reading ‘Guard your heart: the wellspring of life’
Lineker & refugees: politics, punditry & polarisation
Popular communication today thrives on polarisation. Social media channels are not neutral carriers of unbiased opinion, they are shaped to stoke strong opinions which fuel the shallow politics of our age. The current controversy surrounding Gary Lineker, the BBC and his social media comments on the government’s refugee policies is a perfect example. The government… Continue reading Lineker & refugees: politics, punditry & polarisation
What can students actually do about homelessness?
Adapted from a talk given to Just Love at Oxford University, 20/2/23 When I was a student in Hull in the early 1990s, I volunteered every week at a drop in centre for ‘homeless and rootless’ people called Dock House. It was organised through the student-run community action group, HUSSO, based in the Student Union… Continue reading What can students actually do about homelessness?
Lent: giving up ‘malicious talk and the pointing finger’
I see Lent as an opportunity to realign ourselves. A time to re-commit to an integrity between who we are on the outside and who we are on the inside. To seek a wholeness between the person that we present for the world to see, and the person we are when no one sees. Whilst booze… Continue reading Lent: giving up ‘malicious talk and the pointing finger’
A spirituality for reality: saying what we mean and meaning what we say
Adapted from a talk at ‘Beer and Theology’ at the Angel Pub, Rotherhithe on 17/2/23 I like both beer and theology. Whilst I have seen plenty of problems associated with alcohol addiction, I have always appreciated the good things that beer can bring. A few drinks can give us ‘Dutch courage’ to be more real… Continue reading A spirituality for reality: saying what we mean and meaning what we say
Confessions of a recovering perfectionist – by Paul Jordan
This article almost wasn’t written because I’m a perfectionist. Well, a recovering perfectionist actually. Most of my adult life I’ve been nurturing, embracing and wielding perfectionism. Courting it under the misapprehension that it was a positive character trait. Who wouldn’t want to be perfect, right? Come on admit it. You’ve probably dabbled in a little… Continue reading Confessions of a recovering perfectionist – by Paul Jordan
Imagine the world differently: a year with L’Arche – by Danny Kuhrt
In September 2021, I moved into a L’Arche community in Edinburgh for a gap year before starting University. It turned out to be the best year of my life. Throughout the year I laughed, cried, grew, found deep joy and I was able to make a real difference. I am writing this article because I… Continue reading Imagine the world differently: a year with L’Arche – by Danny Kuhrt
Kindness, compassion & forgiveness
In my church, we are in the middle of a 40 Days of Prayer which has involved daily 3 minute videos done by different members of the church and posted on YouTube every morning. Its the kind of project that would have been really complicated a few years back but now is made relatively straightforward… Continue reading Kindness, compassion & forgiveness
Grace + Truth 