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

Ethics & Christian living

Embracing Original Sin – by Tobias Mayer

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." Genesis 3:6 I’m embracing sin… Continue reading Embracing Original Sin – by Tobias Mayer

Homelessness

Love is stronger than death – by Sam Wells

A sermon by Revd Dr Sam Wells at the Service of Commemoration for people who have been homeless who have died in the last year, 4th November 2021 Death is the biggest taboo in our culture, because death is the stripping away of everything that matters. The loss of breath, of our body, of relationship,… Continue reading Love is stronger than death – by Sam Wells

Homelessness

Homelessness Ends in Community – by Simon Dwight

Three of us stood uncomfortably close in a small, grey, social housing lift heading for the fourth floor. Two of us were holding open boxes of dried food and some pots and pans. The other, James, stood in the high visibility jacket I’d never seen him without, gently humming to himself.  This was a big… Continue reading Homelessness Ends in Community – by Simon Dwight

Homelessness

PARKLIFE – by Sally Mann

There was a time when hanging out in the park was the prerogative of those the band Blur described as “the park class”. Blur’s 1994 hit Parklife conjures up the secret life of city parks as a place to suspend social norms: public sunbathing, loud music, playing with dogs. Another culture During the Covid pandemic… Continue reading PARKLIFE – by Sally Mann

Theology

A church as diverse as Jesus’ friends were – by Peter Graystone

I’m in my late 50s now.  Well...63.    It’s a time to reassess things. Try out new possibilities.  I was thinking about applying for Love Island. Make some new friends, explore new ideas and meet some new challenges. New friends But if I was on Love Island, how would I choose my new friends?  Maybe… Continue reading A church as diverse as Jesus’ friends were – by Peter Graystone