I’ve been doing Harvest assemblies and celebrations for 22 years. I think they’re much richer and more authentic now, and Foodbanks are partly responsible. Nostalgia and guilt Harvest celebrations used to be overshadowed by nostalgia and a vague guilt that we were losing connection to the land. People used to turn up at urban and… Continue reading Foodbanks have saved Harvest celebrations from nostalgic irrelevance – by Simon Cansdale
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Unity in action: Movement Day is a glimpse of the future for the UK Church – by Matthew Rhodes
This weekend I spent at a conference in Westminster run by the British incarnation of the worldwide group Movement Day. Movement Day UK describes itself as a unity movement with “a passion to see our places transformed in every area of culture; transformation being characterised by spiritual, cultural and social change –[because] people and places matter to God.” More broadly it describes its values in… Continue reading Unity in action: Movement Day is a glimpse of the future for the UK Church – by Matthew Rhodes
How society and government policy facilitate sexual abuse – by Ruth Woodcraft
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Newcastle joined an infamous list of UK cities in August with the conviction of 17 men and one woman for rape, supplying drugs and conspiracy to incite prostitution. The media dissected events and the conclusions were critical of Northumbria Police. Early opportunities were missed to investigate the abuse, and thousands… Continue reading How society and government policy facilitate sexual abuse – by Ruth Woodcraft
White supremacy is America’s original sin – by Shawn Bawulski
This is the text of a speech given by Shawn Bawulski at the Phoenix Black Lives Matter rally against hate this week. It is re-produced with permission. I’m honoured to be speaking at this rally against hate. I speak today as a Christian theologian: God’s love is pure. God’s love is on us all. I love you… Continue reading White supremacy is America’s original sin – by Shawn Bawulski
Abuse, collusion and cover-up in the C of E – by Stephen Kuhrt
Photo by Kyle Miller on Pexels.com The Church of England and its senior leaders colluded with Peter Ball, the ex-Bishop of Lewes and Gloucester, rather than seeking to help those he had harmed or assuring itself of the safety of others. That is the damning conclusion of Dame Moira Gibb’s review of the church’s handling… Continue reading Abuse, collusion and cover-up in the C of E – by Stephen Kuhrt
Is it the Church’s job to be the nation’s paramedic? – by Andy Flannagan
All over the UK the Church is doing an incredible job. We are running food banks...mentoring teenagers at risk...counselling those in debt... befriending the elderly...sheltering the homeless...running parent-toddler groups... homework clubs...music and arts workshops...healing on the streets...sports camps... working with prisoners...community choirs... It is wonderful, but there is a danger. The church may spend the next… Continue reading Is it the Church’s job to be the nation’s paramedic? – by Andy Flannagan
Finding hope when burnt out – by Corin Pilling
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com Those on the front line of church, community and care work can from time to time experience a ‘hope deficit’. The reality of dysfunction and poverty can easily start to outweigh the hope and energy that we can offer. We may be called to cultivate hope but the reality is often… Continue reading Finding hope when burnt out – by Corin Pilling
Prophet warning: a response to Matt Bird – by Justin Thacker
Matt Bird recently wrote an article titled Be for the poor, but not against the rich. According to Matt, God’s material riches of Solomon is evidence that ‘God is not opposed to wealth or the disparity of wealth’. He chastises a development charity for describing as ‘unacceptable’ the fact that the richest eight people in the… Continue reading Prophet warning: a response to Matt Bird – by Justin Thacker
The Lord’s Prayer – by Danny Kuhrt
This post is taken from a talk given by Danny Kuhrt, aged 13, at a youth-led service at Streatham Baptist Church in March 2017. Danny spoke on the first half of the prayer (Matthew 6:9-11) Firstly, I would like to ask everyone a question. And I want an honest answer. Who finds praying easy? It can… Continue reading The Lord’s Prayer – by Danny Kuhrt
How I became a Christian – by Andrew Ryland
This is the story of how I became a Christian. To some who know me, this may be a surprise. It’s no secret, I just haven’t been very open about it. Recently I have felt moved to be more transparent about my faith and how it has transformed me. I hope that this will help… Continue reading How I became a Christian – by Andrew Ryland
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