This week I was at a church in central London, talking with the minister when a man came to the door asking for help. He explained that he was not from London but his wife had just been discharged from UCH (a London hospital) following an emergency operation. He said they had nowhere to stay… Continue reading Why Pope Francis is wrong about begging
Author: Jon Kuhrt
Jon Kuhrt has worked with people affected by homelessness for over 30 years. He is a former government adviser on how faith groups address rough sleeping and is now CEO of Hope into Action. He lives with his wife in Streatham, south London and they have 3 children. He likes football....but loves cricket.
I Believe in a Thing called Sin
A few years ago, I was on the south bank in London, near Waterloo station, and I got talking with a homeless man called Richard. He had approached me asking for money. He was in a bad state. He showed me the most terribly infected open wounds on both his arms and legs caused by… Continue reading I Believe in a Thing called Sin
Elitism dressed as charity: the injustice of tax breaks for private schools
Tory leaders have a habit of declaring social justice as their key aim when they come to power. Remember Margaret Thatcher quoting St Francis of Assisi 'where there is discord, may we bring harmony' on the steps of Number 10? Or John Major speaking of his vision of 'the classless society'? In her first speech as… Continue reading Elitism dressed as charity: the injustice of tax breaks for private schools
Shannon Matthews and the three faces of poverty
Everyone who cares about poverty and community life in the UK should make sure they watch the BBC drama The Moorside. It is a thoroughly researched and brilliantly acted film about the tragic case of Shannon Matthews, a young girl from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. In 2008, Shannon was reported as missing by her mum, Karen Matthews.… Continue reading Shannon Matthews and the three faces of poverty
Sexuality, the C of E and the myth of Christian unity
Another week has passed with painful and damaging arguments within the Church of England. The Church’s governing body, the General Synod, voted against ‘taking note’ of the Bishop’s recent report on sexuality. The report followed three years of ‘shared conversations’ about how the church views gay relationships. The argument between influential blogger Ian Paul and… Continue reading Sexuality, the C of E and the myth of Christian unity
It is nice when religion and politics are kept apart…
It is nice when issues of religion and politics can be kept apart. Religion is unsullied by worldly concerns. Going to church can be an inspiring escape from reality. We can focus purely on God and listening to the Holy Spirit. We can reflect on our future hope in heaven. We can think really theologically. We can… Continue reading It is nice when religion and politics are kept apart…
Jesus did not write a book but formed a community
Last year I spoke at a weekend away for St Mary's Church in Islington. When I arrived in my room at the conference centre, there was an envelope on my bed with a card welcoming me. And inside the card was a single piece of a jigsaw puzzle. The card asked me to bring the… Continue reading Jesus did not write a book but formed a community
‘I Didn’t Meme to Hurt You’: disagreeing better online
I am facebook friends with people with a very wide range of views: rabid right-wingers and loony lefties and everything in-between. Raving charismatics, fluffy liberals and hard-bitten atheists. Millie Tants, Chardonnay Socialists and Gary Lagers. Our on-line followers represent to some extent the worlds we move in. And for many of us, these worlds vary greatly.… Continue reading ‘I Didn’t Meme to Hurt You’: disagreeing better online
Poverty is many things…
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Poverty is not entertainment, it’s not noble or romantic.Poverty is... heavy.It’s heavy hearts and heavy legs.It’s sore skin and hollow eyes.It’s upset and downhearted.It’s hunger. Malnourishment. It’s always thinking about the next meal.Poverty is bailiffs, it’s food banks, it’s queues and lists,it’s never being told what you’re entitled to but… Continue reading Poverty is many things…
It’s up to each of us to resist the cynicism of ‘post-truth’ culture
Post-truth was chosen as the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year 2016. It's a word which has sprung into prominence mainly due to Donald Trump's election win. I heard a good example the other day on the radio when a US political commentator was talking about Trump’s promise to build a wall on the US/Mexico border. His… Continue reading It’s up to each of us to resist the cynicism of ‘post-truth’ culture
Grace + Truth 