Personal, Social action

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

Ethics & Christian living, Theology

Kindness, compassion & forgiveness

In my church, we are in the middle of a 40 Days of Prayer which has involved daily 3 minute videos done by different members of the church and posted on YouTube every morning. Its the kind of project that would have been really complicated a few years back but now is made relatively straightforward… Continue reading Kindness, compassion & forgiveness

Ethics & Christian living

Hope doesn’t house people. Action does.

The New Testament book of James challenges the idea that Christianity is chiefly about what is going on inside of our heads: our thoughts, beliefs and feelings.   Faith is easily turned into an intellectual exercise, a doctrinal debate or an emotional experience. But abstract thoughts, beliefs and feelings cost us little and don't change… Continue reading Hope doesn’t house people. Action does.

Personal, Wellbeing

The lies we swallow about alcohol – by Jo Bega

I’m just back from a winter-sun holiday in Lanzarote. I swam in the sea, visited the volcanic vineyards, whooshed around the island on the back of a motorbike and ate some great tapas. It was fantastic – everything a holiday should be. And I did it all stone cold sober. A few years ago, a… Continue reading The lies we swallow about alcohol – by Jo Bega

Homelessness, Poverty, Theology

Reflecting God’s generous justice

I want to tell you about two inspiring people I have got to know over the last few years through my work. Pastor Alex in Tottenham The first is Alex Gyesi (pictured left), Pastor of Highway to Holiness, a Pentecostal church in Tottenham, North London. Back in 2009 the church was growing but Pastor Alex,… Continue reading Reflecting God’s generous justice

Poverty, Social action

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

Films & music, Recommended books & reviews

‘Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story’ by Bono [review]

I remember walking back from the shops after buying U2’s The Joshua Tree as a 14 year old and bumping into someone from my church who was about 10 years older than me. He said "Umm, I’m not really sure about U2" and started reading the album’s lyrics sheet.  He read out these words from… Continue reading ‘Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story’ by Bono [review]

Poverty, Social action

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

Personal, Wellbeing

Confronting beauty & bulls**t on the road to Santiago – by Simon Dwight

Sweating and tired, I slipped off my backpack and slumped on the wooden pew. I sat looking at the stained-glass window in Bilbao Cathedral for an hour…maybe longer. Though I was physically still, my emotions continued the journey that had started the moment I began the Camino del Norte a couple hundred miles away. Wonder… Continue reading Confronting beauty & bulls**t on the road to Santiago – by Simon Dwight

Personal, Wellbeing

Finding hope amid devastating grief – by Andrew Ryland

The 19 November 2020 is indelibly etched on my mind as the darkest day in my life. It’s the day that my brother Stuart died by suicide at the age of 51.  Having just gone through another Christmas season without Stu (pictured on right), I would say that this has without doubt been the most… Continue reading Finding hope amid devastating grief – by Andrew Ryland