Reflections & Poetry

Barabbas’ Good Friday

by Martin Kuhrt When Pilate was addressing the crowd, with Jesus standing before him, he was sitting on the judge’s seat, just outside the Praetorium. This contained both his own Jerusalem residence and a Roman military barracks. It was strategically situated next to the Temple mount. It is likely that Barabbas, who had been convicted… Continue reading Barabbas’ Good Friday

Sport

Shane Warne: why he meant so much, to so many – by David Hilborn

Why am I reading every eulogy, every obituary, every retrospective of Shane Warne that I can lay my hands on following his shock death yesterday aged just 52? And why, periodically, are those tributes prompting my throat to catch, and my eyes to brim with tears? After all, Ukraine is burning. The world is reeling… Continue reading Shane Warne: why he meant so much, to so many – by David Hilborn

Ethics & Christian living

“Don’t just live the length of life. Live the breadth of it as well” – by Anne O’Connor

Our beloved daughter Annie died of natural causes in 2020. She was only 41. Nothing could have prepared us for her sudden death that June morning. In an instant our world fell apart. Later that day we found a small notebook on her desk with a single entry: “Don’t just live the length of life.… Continue reading “Don’t just live the length of life. Live the breadth of it as well” – by Anne O’Connor

Recommended books & reviews, Social commentary

How ‘safetyism’ is harming children – by Liana Humphrey

A review of The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan Haidt …………………. There are a lot of untruths circulating in our world today, but Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt argue that three “Great Untruths” are having a devastating impact on… Continue reading How ‘safetyism’ is harming children – by Liana Humphrey

Wellbeing

Finding Head Space – by Stephen Kemsley

One year ago, I started a new daily routine that has become life-changing for me.  In January 2021, I had an intention (not a resolution!) to explore meditation and mindfulness. I wanted to see if it would have the positive affect on me that it had for others. Challenges  Over the years I've had a… Continue reading Finding Head Space – by Stephen Kemsley

Films & music, Social commentary

‘Don’t Look Up’: have we reached Peak Post-Modernity?

by Matthew James At first impression, the Netflix film Don't Look Up, is just another disaster movie. It’s about a comet heading on a collision course with Earth which will cause an Extinction Level Event. It could be seen as a sort of Deep Impact on steroids. But that would be to miss the point… Continue reading ‘Don’t Look Up’: have we reached Peak Post-Modernity?

Ethics & Christian living

Beyond the echo chamber – by Andrew Drury

Even for the most broad-minded, it is easy to remain reading or listening to people who share similar views to ourselves. We can fall into the rut of following only those people who conform to our own perspective. We need to get beyond the simple critiques that can be found in the 280 characters of… Continue reading Beyond the echo chamber – by Andrew Drury

Theology

The terrible and wonderful reasons I lead – by Kevin Lewis

A few years ago I was given a brilliant book about running, except it wasn’t really about running, it was about cupcakes and suffering. It’s comic, very funny and surprisingly deep, and its called The terrible and wonderful reasons why I run long distances. If you hate running stick with me. The basic premise is… Continue reading The terrible and wonderful reasons I lead – by Kevin Lewis

Homelessness

‘Sing It Out’: how choirs help address homelessness – by Sam Chaplin

The Choir With No Name is a charity that runs choirs with people affected by homelessness. I have been the musical director of for its London choir for 9 years and we also have choirs in Brighton, Birmingham, Liverpool and one just started in Cardiff. Community choir singing is a movement that has spread across… Continue reading ‘Sing It Out’: how choirs help address homelessness – by Sam Chaplin

Social commentary

Addicted to hope – by Adrian Lock

As the flatscreens are packed away, the coffee cups recycled and the lights go out at COP 26 in Glasgow, I reflect on the events of the past few weeks. Three very different individuals have really made me think: an ageing monarch, a seasoned politician, and a new-born baby, just 14 days old when the… Continue reading Addicted to hope – by Adrian Lock