“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13 Photo by Castorly Stock on Pexels.com At Streatham Baptist Church, we run a meal on Wednesday evenings… Continue reading Keeping social action salty
Category: Social action
Coming for warmth, but staying for the welcome – by David Barclay
As temperatures drop and the nights close in, many of us may start to think about Christmas plans or cosy nights watching Strictly with the family. But for millions in the UK, the winter season comes with a creeping dread. For many, the cold and dark leaves them increasingly isolated and lonely and they contemplate… Continue reading Coming for warmth, but staying for the welcome – by David Barclay
Full Fat Faith
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com In The Church Times this week, Angela Tilby wrote a refreshingly honest article titled Emptied-out belief leads to empty pews: “At my end of the C of E, everyone remains very polite, tolerant, and a bit disconnected. It is just slightly embarrassing to speak directly about God.” And she pin-points… Continue reading Full Fat Faith
Faith to confront human trafficking – by Paula Cornell
My third night in South Asia I crawled into bed in my hotel with a heavy heart. It’s hard to describe the pervasive sense of darkness and despair I felt. Since arriving there, my coworkers and I had heard story after story of total disregard for the value of human life. Men forced to work… Continue reading Faith to confront human trafficking – by Paula Cornell
‘It has been a rocky road but I know that I am loved and that I am never alone’
Photo by Egor Kamelev on Pexels.com All around us we see the new life of spring emerge from the darkness of winter. This new life reflects the Christian hope of Easter. Jesus suffered and died an unjust death. But then was dramatically resurrected. New life overturned death itself. This hope is at the heart of… Continue reading ‘It has been a rocky road but I know that I am loved and that I am never alone’
What can students actually do about homelessness?
Adapted from a talk given to Just Love at Oxford University, 20/2/23 When I was a student in Hull in the early 1990s, I volunteered every week at a drop in centre for ‘homeless and rootless’ people called Dock House. It was organised through the student-run community action group, HUSSO, based in the Student Union… Continue reading What can students actually do about homelessness?
Imagine the world differently: a year with L’Arche – by Danny Kuhrt
In September 2021, I moved into a L’Arche community in Edinburgh for a gap year before starting University. It turned out to be the best year of my life. Throughout the year I laughed, cried, grew, found deep joy and I was able to make a real difference. I am writing this article because I… Continue reading Imagine the world differently: a year with L’Arche – by Danny Kuhrt
We need to dig deeper in our response to poverty – by Greg Smith
Jo Moore's recent article on Grace + Truth highlights a significant issue: that unconditional generosity can so easily lead to dependency for the recipient. Those of us who have been active in this kind of work recognize the sense of entitlement which easily develops in response to whatever welfare provision or charity that is offered.… Continue reading We need to dig deeper in our response to poverty – by Greg Smith
Feeding poverty: are we doing a dis-service to those in need? – by Jo Moore
A while ago, a lady came into the office of the charity I work in demanding a food parcel. I sat her down and gently told her I needed to find out a little more about why she needed the food. She was not happy with any questions being asked. I tried to explain there… Continue reading Feeding poverty: are we doing a dis-service to those in need? – by Jo Moore
What DID Jesus do? The clue to thriving ministry – by Gavin Howard
Over recent months, I have been reflecting on what enables Christian ministries to thrive. I am involved with a number of Christian charities and love to be inspired by work which is growing and blessing both church and society. There is a but coming... Floundering But time and again, I encounter Christian work which is… Continue reading What DID Jesus do? The clue to thriving ministry – by Gavin Howard
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