Photo by Ricky Esquivel on Pexels.com Yesterday in a church in East London, a cross section of the community gathered to celebrate the 5th anniversary of GrowTH, the Tower Hamlets Churches night shelter for homeless people. The place was packed, literally standing room only. The crowd diverse. Christians, Muslims, those of other faiths and those… Continue reading Social action, or gospel-centred mission? A story of GrowTH – by Tony Uddin
Category: Homelessness
‘Homelessness and the three faces of poverty’: HPH lecture on 9th June, central London
Hugh Price Hughes was an energetic and enterprising Methodist Minister who founded the West London Mission in 1887. He was a proponent of what he called ‘Social Christianity’ which was in contrast to the Christianity he saw around him, which in his words has ‘been too speculative, too sentimental, too individualistic.’ His founding of the… Continue reading ‘Homelessness and the three faces of poverty’: HPH lecture on 9th June, central London
Inequality is bad for EVERYBODY: its time to close the gap
Every day I am struck by the incredible inequality on display in the West End of London. I get off the bus outside Selfridge’s and see the £5,000+ designer handbags in the windows. I walk through Marylebone past the exclusive clubs and restaurants such as the Chiltern Firehouse with security guards and paparazzi outside. Every few minutes, Ferraris,… Continue reading Inequality is bad for EVERYBODY: its time to close the gap
We CAN make a difference to homeless people – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)
Homelessness is a man-made issue. Just like pollution, we have started it so we have to help end it. People are living on the streets, having a nightmare life. We cannot sit here and pretend it’s not happening. I can't imagine living on the streets, being insecure, always having to worry where you are going… Continue reading We CAN make a difference to homeless people – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)
‘The Weight of Mercy: a Novice Pastor on the City Streets’ – by Deb Richardson-Moore [Review]
Deb Richardson-Moore worked as a journalist in the deep south of the USA for over 27 years. When the newspaper she worked for wanted her to cover religious and faith issues, she decided to study theology. This led her to leave journalism and become Pastor of the Triune Mercy Centre, a church in a desperately poor community in… Continue reading ‘The Weight of Mercy: a Novice Pastor on the City Streets’ – by Deb Richardson-Moore [Review]
When our church opens to the homeless – By Joe Mayo (aged 14)
This guest post is written by Joe Mayo, a 14 year old who regularly volunteers for the Nightshelter at St Luke's Holloway and who interviewed the Islington Nightshelter Coordinator Mark Brennan. At Christmas this year, St. Luke’s Church in Holloway is transformed into a temporary ‘Nightshelter’ for the homeless every Saturday night. “The Nightshelter is… Continue reading When our church opens to the homeless – By Joe Mayo (aged 14)
A real story of homelessness, addiction…and transformation
Grove Books have just published this booklet called 'Homelessness: Grace, Truth and Transformation' by myself and Chris Ward. I first met Chris at a Housing Justice seminar at the Greenbelt festival where he stood up and shared his own story of rough sleeping and addiction (see this previous post 'The best speaker at Greenbelt 2011'). Since… Continue reading A real story of homelessness, addiction…and transformation
Should the increase in poverty affect our response to people begging?
A while ago I was talking with a woman on Baker Street in central London who was begging and said she was homeless. She obviously had some form of drug dependency and almost certainly some form of mental health problems. As I was talking to her about the centre that West London Mission runs for… Continue reading Should the increase in poverty affect our response to people begging?
My night sleeping rough – by Olive Kuhrt (aged 72)
For most of my life I have experienced a soft comfortable bed to sleep in and a warm centrally heated bedroom. I have never considered it a luxury. However, a few weeks ago I decided to join my son and grandson as they were planning to sleep-out on the steps of Marylebone Parish Church. They… Continue reading My night sleeping rough – by Olive Kuhrt (aged 72)
Why I am sleeping outdoors to help homeless people – by Tom Kuhrt (aged 8)
I think that homelessness is cruel. Shouldn’t all people have houses and bedrooms? (and of course TVs) When I am in London I see quite a few homeless people. I even saw some people living on the streets when I went to France. This is why I am doing a sleep-out to raise money for… Continue reading Why I am sleeping outdoors to help homeless people – by Tom Kuhrt (aged 8)
Grace + Truth 