Poverty

Funeral poverty: when there is nothing left to say goodbye – by Emma Tomlinson

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com A few weeks ago my neighbour’s only son died unexpectedly. He was in his 30s, without a job and there was no money to pay for the funeral.  Amidst the shock and grief that followed for her I learned something else; that funeral’s are very expensive, and there is… Continue reading Funeral poverty: when there is nothing left to say goodbye – by Emma Tomlinson

Social action

Isolation and loneliness destroys lives…but we can do something about it – by Jeremy Sharpe

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com The film Castaway focuses on one man, Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks) who has been marooned alone on an uninhabited island.  As well as his frantic efforts to find enough food, warmth and shelter to survive, the film also depicts his mental struggle with extreme isolation and loneliness. One of the… Continue reading Isolation and loneliness destroys lives…but we can do something about it – by Jeremy Sharpe

Politics

Would Jesus bomb IS? – by Claire Mathys

Photo by Torben Bu00fchl on Pexels.com Since the UK decided to join other Western countries in airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State (IS), many Christians have been wrestling with whether this decision was the right one. One question is whether bombing is morally justifiable. Another is whether it is strategically wise. Both sit against a… Continue reading Would Jesus bomb IS? – by Claire Mathys

Homelessness

We CAN make a difference to homeless people – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)

Homelessness is a man-made issue. Just like pollution, we have started it so we have to help end it. People are living on the streets, having a nightmare life.  We cannot sit here and pretend it’s not happening. I can't imagine living on the streets, being insecure, always having to worry where you are going… Continue reading We CAN make a difference to homeless people – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)

Social commentary

The J-Law photo leak: why your opinion is important – by Sophie Whitehead

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com Unless you’ve been living under a wifi-less rock for the last couple of months, you know about the celebrity nude photo flood. I say flood rather than leak because of the sheer quantity of celebrities who were involved: Jennifer Lawrence, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Kaley Cuoco, Vanessa Hudgens, Ariana Grande,… Continue reading The J-Law photo leak: why your opinion is important – by Sophie Whitehead

Social commentary

Is war a necessary evil? – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)

War is the worst thing known to man. People dying at terrifying rates. The Chance of dying at any second. It is a horrible thing. Yet, sometimes it is necessary. You cannot let sometime storm into your country, kill everyone, abuse you and become powerful for being evil. When Hitler invaded Poland, they couldn’t just… Continue reading Is war a necessary evil? – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)

Politics

Jonah and Islamic State – by Matt Valler

The extremist Muslim terrorist organisation Islamic State (formerly ISIS) recently captured Nineveh in northern Iraq. The atrocities they have since committed there led me to revisit this ancient story... The word of Yahweh came to Jonah the Jew. "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because the stench of its wickedness… Continue reading Jonah and Islamic State – by Matt Valler

Social action

From the DRC to London: helping Theodore realise his hope of education – by Rachel Henry

Theodore*, 18, comes from the North East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He was brought up in a region where there are regular attacks on civilians by armed groups.  When he was a child, his family fled an attack on their village and settled in a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts… Continue reading From the DRC to London: helping Theodore realise his hope of education – by Rachel Henry

Politics

Why I support the strikers – by Jonathan Chilvers

Today I have been out supporting the Public Sector strikers in Warwickshire. Some passers-by came up to the picket line to show their support. However, listening on the radio, a number of people have been hostile towards strikers. There have been three points people have made against the strikes: 1) "There’s no money" The 'cuts' mantra has been… Continue reading Why I support the strikers – by Jonathan Chilvers

Sport

Why I’m supporting Bosnia at the World Cup – by Jonathan Chilvers

England may be perennial hopefuls at World Cup Finals, but for Bosnia & Herzegovina it will be the first time they have made it to the competition since the country declared independence in 1992. I’ll be supporting them when they kick off in their first match on Sunday. Bosnia is a country born out of… Continue reading Why I’m supporting Bosnia at the World Cup – by Jonathan Chilvers