Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com The tradition of a New Year's Eve church service was originally started by Moravian churches to reflect on the year that has past and to contemplate the one to come. John Wesley adopted the practice for his Methodist followers. But it was given new significance by African-American communities on… Continue reading The political roots of the Watch Night New Year church service
Category: Ethics & Christian living
Zuzu’s petals: reminders of what’s most important
In the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, the main character George Bailey faces bankruptcy and scandal. After a life of service and sacrifice, someone else’s negligence takes him to the brink of ruin. On Christmas Eve, in the midst of his angst and desperation, George goes home and sees his family. His young daughter, Zuzu, has… Continue reading Zuzu’s petals: reminders of what’s most important
‘Time to face reality’: C of E safeguarding has ‘no functional leadership’
In the last 18 months I have published a number of articles related to safeguarding issues in the Church of England. As someone who grew up within the C of E and continues to have close links, it is a subject that I care deeply about. Last year, I wrote a parable Whistleblow and the… Continue reading ‘Time to face reality’: C of E safeguarding has ‘no functional leadership’
‘Away with the Manger’: the Streatham Common crib controversy
At every Christmas since 1956, a nativity scene has been on display in Streatham Common, south London. The crib was the idea of Albert Steiert and John Taylor, both members of a local catholic church, who were concerned that the true meaning of Christmas was being overlooked. John built the first crib and Albert painted… Continue reading ‘Away with the Manger’: the Streatham Common crib controversy
Detoxifying resentment
I was with a rough sleeping outreach worker this week in a coastal town in the south of England. It was about 1.00am in the morning and we went to an area where he knew someone was living in a tent. As we approached the tent with our torches illuminating the ground, I noticed the… Continue reading Detoxifying resentment
Beliefs + Action = Faith
I saw this quote shared on social media yesterday: Reading the quote provoked me go back to the Sermon on the Mount and read it right through (Matthew 5-7). By my judgement this statement is accurate. The longest continuous section of Jesus’ teaching in the Bible is indeed incredibly action-oriented. The priority of action The… Continue reading Beliefs + Action = Faith
Getting the most out of Halloween – by Stephen Kuhrt
Some believe the Church should have nothing to do with Halloween. They see as a rather horrible celebration of evil which is a bad influence on children. Others believe that the Church needs to chill out and realise how daft it is to put a downer on a bit of harmless fun. The ironic thing… Continue reading Getting the most out of Halloween – by Stephen Kuhrt
Listening to the ‘others’ we talk about
This is a response to Martin Kuhrt’s article Dividing body, soul & spirit: Gnostic heresies live on Hi Martin, We don’t know each other but I subscribe to Grace + Truth and I read your recent article. I also do the same job as you in a different part of the country. I found your… Continue reading Listening to the ‘others’ we talk about
The ecclesiastical doughnut: why the C of E is ungovernable
Last week saw yet another Church of England report into safeguarding and institutional failings in the handling of abuse allegations. Almost 400 new cases involving actions by clergy, officials and volunteers against children and vulnerable adults were uncovered. In a foreword to the report, Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell, the archbishops of Canterbury and York, wrote of… Continue reading The ecclesiastical doughnut: why the C of E is ungovernable
Rigorous religion or sloppy spirituality?
In his book Faith, Hope and Carnage, singer Nick Cave shares some fascinating insights into how faith has influenced him and his music. He says: “The word spirituality is a little too amorphous for my taste. It can mean almost anything, whereas the word ‘religious’ is just more specific, perhaps even more conservative, has a… Continue reading Rigorous religion or sloppy spirituality?
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