Photo by vectors icon on Pexels.com Immigration to the UK continues to be a big story, with many sub-plots. The most recent episodes involving asylum hotels, local protests and flags. ‘France is not war’ The asylum system leaves the public confused. They tend to be most sympathetic to those fleeing from war. But those people… Continue reading The flag is up: the Good Samaritan versus Lazarus – by Jonathan Thomas
Author: G+T Guest writers
Prophet or loss? Counting the cost of speaking truth – by Stephen Kuhrt
Amos lived in the 8th century BC in a village called Tekoa. He was called to proclaim God’s Word to the political and religious elites of the time. This is a fictional imagining of the personal cost involved...and what this means for speaking up for truth today. Tension Amos was late home that evening from… Continue reading Prophet or loss? Counting the cost of speaking truth – by Stephen Kuhrt
Losing faith in a silent God
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com By Tony Anthony I was listening to BBC Radio 2 earlier today, with Tina Daheley sitting in for Jeremy Vine, and the conversation turned to the experience of losing faith (starting at 1.05). The phone lines were open, and one by one, people shared stories. These weren’t shallow grievances. They… Continue reading Losing faith in a silent God
Mental health, faith & grief: Remembering Graham Thorpe – by Andrew Ryland
Photo by Nathan Cowley on Pexels.com Please be aware that this article covers themes of suicide. The second day of the England versus India Test match at the Oval was designated A Day for Thorpey in honour of Graham Thorpe, who died a year ago at the age of 55. Initiated by his family, this… Continue reading Mental health, faith & grief: Remembering Graham Thorpe – by Andrew Ryland
“I Hate God” (But I Met Jesus)
A poem by Rev'd Jon Swales It was raining. Sideways rain. Hard, mean, Leeds rain. The kind that says: You’re not welcome anywhere. She stood outside, soaked, smoking the last of her rollies, muttering curses like liturgies for the lost. Then she saw the collar— white, stupid, clean. And that was it. “You lot make… Continue reading “I Hate God” (But I Met Jesus)
The Hope of Easter: my journey from darkness to light – by Emma Heath
For many Easter is a family time, the relief of a long weekend with good food, friends to catch up with and the excitement of the celebrations of Easter Sunday. Yet for many, especially those gripped in addiction, Easter often feels lonely and just another day of pain, where the longing for community, relationships and… Continue reading The Hope of Easter: my journey from darkness to light – by Emma Heath
I don’t want to be a Christian who…
By Jon Swales I don’t want to be a Christianwho forgets how to feel -who hides behind answers,quotes verses like shields,and silences sorrow with a song. I don’t want a faithof romanticised abstraction,where resurrection is polishedand the cross is theory.Give me something real-flesh and blood,grief and grace. I want to weepwith eyes wide open.Tears that… Continue reading I don’t want to be a Christian who…
Fatherlessness & homelessness – by Mark Wood
giselaatje from pixabay It feels like suddenly, everyone is talking about boys and the malign influences they are under. The success of the Netflix drama Adolescence has given the issue global profile and Gareth Southgate’s excellent Dimbleby lecture added to this. The recent Lost Boys report by the Centre for Social Justice highlights the disparity… Continue reading Fatherlessness & homelessness – by Mark Wood
Porn & the Church: if we ignore it, maybe it will go away? – by Martin Kuhrt
'What have I done?' I asked myself. I had organised a conference on porn at my home church in Aylesbury. But a few days before, I began to feel a heavy sense of failure. Bad taste No-one’s going to come. People have told me they don’t like the way it had been advertised. I've been… Continue reading Porn & the Church: if we ignore it, maybe it will go away? – by Martin Kuhrt
Bad apples in rotten barrels – by Stephen Kuhrt
Jimmy Saville and the BBC; Wayne Couzens and Metropolitan Police Force; Paula Vennells and the Post Office. When stories of abuse or corruption emerge the immediate focus is often on those individuals who’ve directly committed the crimes. But in almost every case, what is then examined is how the institution they worked within colluded with… Continue reading Bad apples in rotten barrels – by Stephen Kuhrt

