Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com On a freezing night this week, we opened up our church for our first community meal of the New Year. It was a quieter night than usual, but sometimes less can be more. Our aim to provide ‘food, connection and community’ and whilst fewer guests means less food is… Continue reading Bringing burdens to the foot of the cross
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.
The best book I read in 2024
I read some great books in 2024. Among them, The Wood Between the Worlds by Brian Zahnd, Fully Alive by Elizabeth Oldfield, Where the Light Fell by Philip Yancey, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, Poor by Katriona O’Sullivan, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry and Open by Andre Agassi.… Continue reading The best book I read in 2024
The ’emotional magnifying glass’ of Christmas
That Christmas is a new animated Netflix film from Richard Curtis, the writer of some of my favourite comedy such as Blackadder, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill. (Curtis also wrote Love, Actually which is my least favourite Christmas film, but that’s a subject for another blog). That Christmas is a decent family… Continue reading The ’emotional magnifying glass’ of Christmas
“If you charge me, I’m going to bring 50 homeless people here to eat the meal I have paid for”
A few Christmases ago, when I was running a homeless charity in the West End of London, we took a phone call from a businessman that I will never forget. He was due to host a major Christmas event for 50 colleagues and clients in a prestigious local member’s club. A number of guests were… Continue reading “If you charge me, I’m going to bring 50 homeless people here to eat the meal I have paid for”
‘The church has been the cornerstone of my recovery’: homelessness ends in community
Prichard is a young man whose life was almost destroyed by drug addiction. It led him into a chaotic lifestyle which spiraled downwards and led him into homelessness. As he bluntly puts it ‘My life was a shambles.’ It’s a story I have seen so many times in so many people trapped in addictions and… Continue reading ‘The church has been the cornerstone of my recovery’: homelessness ends in community
The crucible of truth
The legacy of John Smyth’s sadistic abuse has had far-reaching consequences which will rumble on. In almost 1500 years never before has an Archbishop of Canterbury resigned. Smyth's appalling crimes have been transposed, compounded and institutionalised through both the active cover-up and the passive inaction of others. The yeast has worked through a whole batch.… Continue reading The crucible of truth
Prince William & ‘ending homelessness’
Watch: Prince William: We Can End Homelessness (ITV) Last week, ITV broadcasted two hour-long programmes Prince William: We Can End Homelessness in which the future King outlined the ambition of his initiative Homewards. The programme included plenty of footage of the Prince talking about why he cares about homelessness and the influence of his mother… Continue reading Prince William & ‘ending homelessness’
Cutting through the fog of untruth
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com On Monday night I spoke at the AGM of the brilliant Bristol homeless charity inHope which run a Hope into Action franchise in the city. Later I had to get a train up to Nottingham and my journey included an hours’ wait at Birmingham New Street Station between 10pm and… Continue reading Cutting through the fog of untruth
“This is my life. I want no other”: faith, politics & belonging – by Ian Geary
“This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is… Continue reading “This is my life. I want no other”: faith, politics & belonging – by Ian Geary
What is the point of church?
A while ago I visited a church in East London doing great work with people who are homeless and vulnerable. I saw these words above the inside of the door: "You are now entering a place of worship" At first I assumed it was the standard wording you see in religious buildings asking for respect.… Continue reading What is the point of church?
Grace + Truth 