Theology

Grace in the face of oppression: what I saw in Egypt – by Martin Kuhrt

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Land of the Nile, pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, a centre of early Christianity; Egypt well deserves its status as ‘a cradle of civilisation’. But its glories do not all lie in its past. Its fast growing, population of roughly 100 million people is among the most youthful in… Continue reading Grace in the face of oppression: what I saw in Egypt – by Martin Kuhrt

Theology

Seeking Francis and finding renewal in Assisi – by Danny Daly

Last month I was fortunate enough to be part of a group undertaking an Ignatian Pilgrimage of Rome. Before joining them, however, I had decided to spend a couple of days by myself in Assisi. 'Francis effect' I have been influenced by a Francis effect, generated by the Pope choosing to take Francis as his… Continue reading Seeking Francis and finding renewal in Assisi – by Danny Daly

Social commentary

Why Remembrance Day makes me uneasy – by Jeremy O’Hare

Photo by Elina Sazonova on Pexels.com When Remembrance Day comes around every year, I feel uneasy. There’s something about this national ritual that doesn’t sit well with me. How we commemorate wars and the fallen can be misused. Especially when my Christian faith leads me to question why we go to war at all. Because… Continue reading Why Remembrance Day makes me uneasy – by Jeremy O’Hare

Ethics & Christian living, Poverty

Foodbanks have saved Harvest celebrations from nostalgic irrelevance – by Simon Cansdale

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

Theology

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

Social commentary

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

Ethics & Christian living

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

Ethics & Christian living

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

Politics

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

Ethics & Christian living

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