On a cold night in late November, I was running our church’s drop-in evening meal called The Vine. Each week, around 30 people come along for company, a quiz and a good hot meal. It’s a modest but positive contribution to our community’s well-being. Our guests have a wide range of needs, but what most struck me… Continue reading The sins of social action
Following Jesus; seeking justice
This week saw the London launch of a new book from the Red Letter Christians UK. Each chapter is a story of how following Jesus has led people into activism for justice. My story recalls the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Below I share two excerpts which connect my role as a volunteer… Continue reading Following Jesus; seeking justice
Reconciliation & resettlement: my Tunbridge Wells winter #3
Previous instalment: The sound of breaking glass: my Tunbridge Wells winter #2 The shelter’s first night had seen one of our residents arrested for assault, criminal damage and threatening behaviour. The next morning, I woke up early in my YMCA room and spent some time praying for courage for whatever the day would bring. On… Continue reading Reconciliation & resettlement: my Tunbridge Wells winter #3
The sound of breaking glass: my Tunbridge Wells winter #2
Previous installment: Wealth, fear and nimbyism: my Tunbridge Wells winter #1 The rear view of the shelter venue, Tunbridge Wells, 1996 As I wrote in the last post, my first few weeks as Manager of Tunbridge Wells' first ever winter shelter was dominated by dealing with disgruntled neighbours. But with the permission to open,… Continue reading The sound of breaking glass: my Tunbridge Wells winter #2
Wealth, fear & nimbyism: my Tunbridge Wells winter #1
In the mid-1990s I worked in a large hostel in Hackney, East London for 140 homeless men and women. But the organisation I worked for had an opportunity for someone to be seconded for 5 months to a Housing Association in Kent who needed a manager to establish a new winter shelter for rough sleepers.… Continue reading Wealth, fear & nimbyism: my Tunbridge Wells winter #1
The superficiality of success
Andre Agassi’s autobiography Open is the best sports biography I have ever read. It’s a brutally honest book about what was going on in Agassi’s mind as he became a globally famous tennis player. As he continually repeats throughout the book, despite the wealth and fame it gave him, Agassi hated playing tennis. Agassi grew… Continue reading The superficiality of success
Soothing poverty or slaying it? – by Phil Conn
Photo by Timur Weber on Pexels.com I’ve spent the last couple of decades working in social action and for the last 15 years almost exclusively with those experiencing street homelessness and its surrounding issues. In the last three years, I’ve moved into full time church leadership. For this reason that I was acutely struck by… Continue reading Soothing poverty or slaying it? – by Phil Conn
Expensive litter: the e-bike corporate fly-dump
The fly-dumping of unwanted rubbish is a big problem in my neighbourhood. The entrances to the park behind our house are a favourite place for people to leave mattresses, old toys and other waste. Added to this are the cowboy builders who leave construction debris, as well as those who are paid to dispose of… Continue reading Expensive litter: the e-bike corporate fly-dump
What story are you living by?
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com Less than two years ago, the BBC broadcasted a documentary about the Post Office scandal but the programme gained little public interest. In contrast, when ITV broadcast a dramatised version, Mr Bates versus the Post Office, it led to widespread public anger. It led to the scandal being widely recognised… Continue reading What story are you living by?
Deconstruction – by Jon Swales
Photo by Rachel Claire on Pexels.com Deconstruction isn't merely a buzzword; it's a profound existential journey that countless souls embark upon. It's about shedding the old, the familiar, the once-unchallenged bastions of theological certainty. We're talking about those systems and structures that held us tight, promising safety and solace in a world teeming with uncertainties.… Continue reading Deconstruction – by Jon Swales
Grace + Truth 