Many in the Church have been rocked by the confirmations of serious and sustained sexual abuse which have emerged from the investigation into the Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias. An independent report laid bare decades of his coercive and abusive behaviour which have caused untold damage to victims. There have been similar reactions to the disclosures… Continue reading Hero-worship & our need of humility
No one deserves to battle alone – by Hannah Ryland
Hannah Ryland with her late dad, Stuart Hi, my name is Hannah. I’m 16, and recently, I lost my dad, suddenly, to suicide. He suffered with his mental health, from what we’ve discerned it was undiagnosed bipolar disorder, for 35 years, and not once did he receive any proper support for it. He always said… Continue reading No one deserves to battle alone – by Hannah Ryland
Men and the menopause…and other period-dramas
Photo by Min An on Pexels.com I will never forget a trip to the supermarket with my Mum when I was about 12. As we unpacked the trolley, I held up one item and said quite loudly ‘What kind of towels are these? They’re tiny!’ The cashier suppressed a laugh and my Mum looked a… Continue reading Men and the menopause…and other period-dramas
The Well-Known Soldier – by Olive Kuhrt
Photo by S.A. Bond on Pexels.com Among the graves of the great and famous in Westminster Abbey lies buried an ordinary, anonymous soldier who lost his life in the Great War. It is known as the tomb of the Unknown Soldier: a symbol to remember of the sacrifice and courage of ordinary men and women.… Continue reading The Well-Known Soldier – by Olive Kuhrt
20 years on: how faith has changed
In 1996 I started attending an inner city church which had been planted by the Church of England into a former pub. The congregation was mainly people in a similar stage of life and the church had a vibrancy and authenticity I really appreciated. I attended the evening services each week with expectation and excitement… Continue reading 20 years on: how faith has changed
‘The Hill We Climb’: a new expression of an ancient message
Photo by Archie Binamira on Pexels.com In the past few months various high-profile ‘Christian Prophets’ confidently predicted a Trump win. Some have apologised, some cling to conspiracies which they believe prove they were actually right. All of this nonsense does the Church no credit. But God works in mysterious ways. And in the heart of… Continue reading ‘The Hill We Climb’: a new expression of an ancient message
Possessed by a cult of ‘Christian’ nationalism
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com For many people the Christian support for Donald Trump is one of the most mystifying and worrying aspects of US politics. It was no surprise to see Jesus banners amongst those carried by those who stormed the Capitol building. Four years ago, an old school friend, Nick Miles,… Continue reading Possessed by a cult of ‘Christian’ nationalism
How HUSSO volunteering changed my life
HUSSO 1994: launch of a new football coaching project. Jon Kuhrt is next to Mo Cookson (front left) I arrived at Hull University in the Autumn of 1991 to study Social Policy and Social Work. I signed up to join HUSSO, the student community action group, at the Freshers’ Fair after hearing the Chair, Martin… Continue reading How HUSSO volunteering changed my life
Standing at the Crossroads of a New Year
Photo by u0410u043bu0435u043au0441u0430u043du0434u0440 u041fu0440u043eu043au043eu0444u044cu0435u0432 on Pexels.com The New Year can be a focus for hope and change: a time of decision, to choose certain paths and resist others. In Jeremiah 6:16 it says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and… Continue reading Standing at the Crossroads of a New Year
The Queen gives us a model of how to talk about faith publicly
Over the last 10 years the Queen has been increasingly open about her Christian faith in her Christmas Day message. This quote particularly struck me from her speech this year: "The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light." Whatever your views on the Royal family, I think everyone can learn from the way that the Queen speaks… Continue reading The Queen gives us a model of how to talk about faith publicly
Grace + Truth 