Dear R&R friends, Thanks for reading R&R this year. I continue to be encouraged by the growth of interest and from the comments and messages I receive via this blog. So far this year over 140,000 different people have visited the site. As you may know, much of what is written comes from reflection on my work.… Continue reading Can you help a homeless person exchange the cold streets for a warm bed this Christmas?
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.
We need more silence in our lives
Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com "In modern culture, it almost seems like silence is extinct. We have given noise our consent to fill every moment of life. And it’s not just sonic noise, but even the mental noise that comes from constant entertainment. Through our smartphones, our tablets and our laptops, we always have access… Continue reading We need more silence in our lives
‘A revolution of the heart’ – Remembering Dorothy Day
Today is the 35th anniversary of the death of the radical catholic activist, Dorothy Day, who founded the Catholic Worker movement in the 1930s. She was a journalist who, after converting to Catholicism, worked in New York, running a house of hospitality for homeless people and working for peace through her writing, protest and civil disobedience. She… Continue reading ‘A revolution of the heart’ – Remembering Dorothy Day
Christmas Pretox: a pre-emptive strike on festive busyness
‘I want to simplify your lives. When others are telling you to read more, I want to tell you to read less; when others are telling you to do more, I want to tell you to do less. The world does not need more of you; it needs more of God. Your friends do not… Continue reading Christmas Pretox: a pre-emptive strike on festive busyness
A step for social justice and equality that EVERYONE could take
This week a Church of England report was published called 'Talking Jesus'. One finding of this report, highlighted by The Guardian, is that when Christians talk to others about Jesus, it is more likely to turn them off than attract them. So how can Christians share their faith in ways that are relevant and do not make people squirm with embarrassment?… Continue reading A step for social justice and equality that EVERYONE could take
Down and Out in Cardiff and London: a George Orwell for the Facebook generation
Today, George Orwell is remembered as one of the most significant authors of the 20th century, mainly due to the literary and political impact of his most famous books, Animal Farm and 1984. But when Orwell moved to London in the late 1920s to begin writing he decided to intentionally spend time amongst homeless people. … Continue reading Down and Out in Cardiff and London: a George Orwell for the Facebook generation
Holy rows: why disputes between Church and Government will increase
Photo by Altaf Shah on Pexels.com This weekend saw another avalanche of media coverage about a row between the Church and the government. This time it relates to the refugee crisis. The Bishops have accused the government of dragging its feet and not responding adequately to their offers to help mobilise the churches. Stephen Cotterill, Bishop of Chelmsford, said:… Continue reading Holy rows: why disputes between Church and Government will increase
How should we respond to people begging?
Photo by Timur Weber on Pexels.com For many people living or working in large cities, being asked for money is an everyday experience. It can often cause feelings of distress, guilt and confusion. What is the best way to respond to someone asking you for money? In 20 years of working with homeless people, it… Continue reading How should we respond to people begging?
A spiritual pilgrimage in the real world: Ken Leech 1939-2015
The radical priest, theologian and activist, Rev. Ken Leech recently died, aged 76, following a stroke. Ken founded the youth homeless charity Centrepoint in 1969 and wrote prolifically on the how intimacy with God relates to political action and social justice. I worked for Centrepoint for five years and Ken has been a very significant… Continue reading A spiritual pilgrimage in the real world: Ken Leech 1939-2015
Faith without deeds: the dis-integration of student Christianity
When I started at Hull University in 1991, I joined three societies at the 'freshers fair'. Firstly, the Cricket Club, secondly, the Christian Union and thirdly, the Student Community Action organisation, which was called HUSSO. Community action HUSSO (Hull University Social Services Organisation) was, and remains, an incredible organisation. Back in those days, it organised over… Continue reading Faith without deeds: the dis-integration of student Christianity
Grace + Truth 