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
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
The political roots of the Watch Night New Year church service
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
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
What I learnt from the barbed wire tree – by Lucy Horitz
I took this photo while out walking my dog Claude, a couple of weeks ago. At first glance, it’s a pretty normal autumnal scene: an old tree, covered in lichen and ivy, surrounded by fallen leaves. But look closer and you’ll notice something extraordinary. The tree has a barbed wire fence, consisting of three separate… Continue reading What I learnt from the barbed wire tree – by Lucy Horitz
‘Individual sovereignty is over-stated by the right and underemphasised by the left’
The relationship between social justice and personal responsibility is an inescapable subject in discussions about poverty. Where is the line between what is the state’s responsibility and the responsibility of the individual? Most of the conferences and events I attend focus on ‘systems change’ and how resources are allocated and managed. Focussing on the failures… Continue reading ‘Individual sovereignty is over-stated by the right and underemphasised by the left’
‘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
The original foster care story at the heart of Christmas – by Ian Butcher
This year’s John Lewis Christmas advert shows a family preparing to welcome a teenager into their home as foster carers. The foster father’s attempts to learn to skateboard are part of his preparation for the arrival of a teenager into their home. This focus on the foster father is welcome. Approximately 40% of foster carers… Continue reading The original foster care story at the heart of Christmas – by Ian Butcher
Taking the hand-brake off
Photo by shoreline vehicles on Pexels.com Last summer Ben Stokes took over a failing England cricket team and went full-throttle in pursuit of a completely different way of playing. It has been a dramatic turnaround and the new, hyper-attacking approach is like nothing seen before in the history of Test cricket. England have broken numerous… Continue reading Taking the hand-brake off
Grace + Truth 