I clearly remember that Friday. It was a typical Food Stop day at our church, a time when we open our doors to offer local people struggling financially the opportunity to choose £20-30 worth of food and interact with experts and support services. But that day, amid the familiar sea of faces, a new group… Continue reading The messy reality of grace & truth: seeking justice in my community – by Nick Graves
Author: G+T Guest writers
This is a guest blog post for Grace+Truth.
We welcome guest posts on issues of faith, transformation and social justice. See 'Write an article' on menu bar under 'About this blog' above for details.
Rough sleeping: what Starmer can learn from Blair – by David Christie
When Labour came to power in 1997, huge and unprecedented numbers of people were sleeping rough in every town and city across Britain. The appalling sight of people bedding down in shop doorways across the nation was widely considered a ‘national disgrace’. Labour gave a high priority to homelessness and set itself the aim of… Continue reading Rough sleeping: what Starmer can learn from Blair – by David Christie
‘Am I going to be sent to Rwanda?’ Thinking Christianly about asylum
by Benjamin Welby & Andy Brims Vineyard English School, run by Croydon Vineyard church In the nondescript hotel lobby doubling as our makeshift classroom, Tariq*, a new student, lingered after class. Anxiety etched on his face, he asked: “Am I going to be sent to Rwanda? I’ve got a domestic worker visa…my wife is pregnant.”… Continue reading ‘Am I going to be sent to Rwanda?’ Thinking Christianly about asylum
Comfortable in our own skin? – by Stephen Brown
A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Mark 1: 40-45 (NLT) I vividly remember the first time… Continue reading Comfortable in our own skin? – by Stephen Brown
What a monk, a psychiatrist & a rabbi taught me about living with constant pain – by Simon Hall
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com I was converted into charismatic Christianity in my mid-teens and this started a loving and life-giving relationship with God. But after 13 years, I felt the tap of the Holy Spirit had been turned off. The feeling of God’s loving presence disappeared. For several years I scoured my tradition… Continue reading What a monk, a psychiatrist & a rabbi taught me about living with constant pain – by Simon Hall
Why life is not just about being happy – by Laura Cuthill
A few weeks ago I saw this quote from Audrey Hepburn posted on social media: ‘The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it's all that matters’. I see lots of quotes posted on social media and usually I just scroll past. But this quote jumped out at me.… Continue reading Why life is not just about being happy – by Laura Cuthill
Soothing poverty or slaying it? – by Phil Conn
Photo by Timur Weber on Pexels.com I’ve spent the last couple of decades working in social action and for the last 15 years almost exclusively with those experiencing street homelessness and its surrounding issues. In the last three years, I’ve moved into full time church leadership. For this reason that I was acutely struck by… Continue reading Soothing poverty or slaying it? – by Phil Conn
Deconstruction – by Jon Swales
Photo by Rachel Claire on Pexels.com Deconstruction isn't merely a buzzword; it's a profound existential journey that countless souls embark upon. It's about shedding the old, the familiar, the once-unchallenged bastions of theological certainty. We're talking about those systems and structures that held us tight, promising safety and solace in a world teeming with uncertainties.… Continue reading Deconstruction – by Jon Swales
Fences or ambulances on the cliff-edge of poverty? – by Juli Thompson
Photo by Enrico Perini on Pexels.com I have worked for twenty years in Bradford tackling homelessness and food insecurity. Reading Grace+Truth over the years has helped me to reflect on the approach I have taken. Its good to be self-critical and I have always been challenged by the thought that our work might be part… Continue reading Fences or ambulances on the cliff-edge of poverty? – by Juli Thompson
Feeding the hunger for community – by Simon Dwight
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com On the Friday before Christmas, I hurried from my office to our church's outreach meal. Over the past two decades, my work life has focused on ways to help people overcome homelessness. However, as my career and the issue of homelessness have become increasingly interconnected, I've naturally moved away… Continue reading Feeding the hunger for community – by Simon Dwight
Grace + Truth 