Regular readers of R&R will know that I often post articles which relate to my work at West London Mission. We are part of the Methodist Church and run a wide range of social and community projects for people affected by homelessness, poverty and trauma. Activism and controversy One of the 'big characters' from WLM's… Continue reading Steve Chalke speaking at WLM’s Annual Meeting
Category: Ethics & Christian living
I love being a dad, its being a son that I’ve struggled with – by Michael Palin
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I have been reflecting for a number of years on what it means to be a dad. But to do this, I have had to work through the struggles I have faced in being a son. It wasn’t that I didn’t get along with my dad. It was more that… Continue reading I love being a dad, its being a son that I’ve struggled with – by Michael Palin
The Only Way Is Ethics: ‘Christian Today’ has to drop dodgy adverts
Over the last few years the website Christian Today has grown in prominence in the UK. It carries a wide range of religious news and commentary and high profile Christian leaders, like Krish Kandiah and Youthscape's Martin Saunders, regularly write on the site. Ruth Mawhinney, a former Editor, is now Head of Media for Justin Welby,… Continue reading The Only Way Is Ethics: ‘Christian Today’ has to drop dodgy adverts
Why Westminster Abbey is the wrong venue to remember Martin Luther King
Photo by Samuel Sweet on Pexels.com On April 4th, I attended two events which marked the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King. The first was a packed, lunchtime service at Westminster Abbey, just over the road from Parliament. The second was a rare viewing of the 1970 documentary King: a filmed Record...Montgomery… Continue reading Why Westminster Abbey is the wrong venue to remember Martin Luther King
Foodbanks have saved Harvest celebrations from nostalgic irrelevance – by Simon Cansdale
I’ve been doing Harvest assemblies and celebrations for 22 years. I think they’re much richer and more authentic now, and Foodbanks are partly responsible. Nostalgia and guilt Harvest celebrations used to be overshadowed by nostalgia and a vague guilt that we were losing connection to the land. People used to turn up at urban and… Continue reading Foodbanks have saved Harvest celebrations from nostalgic irrelevance – by Simon Cansdale
White supremacy is America’s original sin – by Shawn Bawulski
This is the text of a speech given by Shawn Bawulski at the Phoenix Black Lives Matter rally against hate this week. It is re-produced with permission. I’m honoured to be speaking at this rally against hate. I speak today as a Christian theologian: God’s love is pure. God’s love is on us all. I love you… Continue reading White supremacy is America’s original sin – by Shawn Bawulski
Abuse, collusion and cover-up in the C of E – by Stephen Kuhrt
Photo by Kyle Miller on Pexels.com The Church of England and its senior leaders colluded with Peter Ball, the ex-Bishop of Lewes and Gloucester, rather than seeking to help those he had harmed or assuring itself of the safety of others. That is the damning conclusion of Dame Moira Gibb’s review of the church’s handling… Continue reading Abuse, collusion and cover-up in the C of E – by Stephen Kuhrt
‘This is for Allah’: overcoming denial about the deadly power of religion
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Last night I was with a group of volunteers who have been running a night shelter for homeless people over the last eight months. They come from 13 different churches and a local synagogue in central London. As well as Christians and Jews, a significant number of volunteers are also… Continue reading ‘This is for Allah’: overcoming denial about the deadly power of religion
Re-discovering Narnia and rinsing out stale thinking about Christianity
I grew up in a Christian home as the son of a vicar. In retrospect it gave me loads of things that I am grateful for, but in many ways I disliked being the ‘vicar’s son’ in a large church. People treated you differently: Sunday school teachers really did say things like ‘I would have expected… Continue reading Re-discovering Narnia and rinsing out stale thinking about Christianity
Finding hope when burnt out – by Corin Pilling
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com Those on the front line of church, community and care work can from time to time experience a ‘hope deficit’. The reality of dysfunction and poverty can easily start to outweigh the hope and energy that we can offer. We may be called to cultivate hope but the reality is often… Continue reading Finding hope when burnt out – by Corin Pilling
Grace + Truth 