The annual service to commemorate homeless people who have died in the past year was held today at packed St Martins-in-the-Fields church, central London. As part of the service, The Choir with No Name and Streetwise Opera performed songs and the names of 160 homeless people who have died in the past year were… Continue reading Homelessness: personal tragedy & political failure
Voting for Trump…or against something bigger? Globalism is the elephant in the room – by Renee McMullen
Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com "The Powers That Be are more than just the people who run things. They are the systems themselves, the institutions and structures that weave society into an intricate fabric of power and relationships. The Powers surround us on every side. They are necessary. They are useful...but the Powers are… Continue reading Voting for Trump…or against something bigger? Globalism is the elephant in the room – by Renee McMullen
Hallow’een, Selfish G’een – by Lizzie Schofield
Nothing puts me in a bad mood like Hallow'een. Apart from the whole 'celebration of evil' thing, it’s so ubiquitous. Even Facebook won't let me do a 'sad face' anymore. Instead I get a Frankenstein head. For a start, this is belittling of Frankenstein, who faced complex issues. He was more 'tortured' than just 'sad'.… Continue reading Hallow’een, Selfish G’een – by Lizzie Schofield
Disagreeing well is good for us (far better than echo-chambers which just reinforce what we already believe)
It has been a fascinating seeing the reaction to the article written by my old school friend, Nick Miles' on why he is voting for Trump. One of my cousins texted me and said 'Oh Jon, what have you unleashed on Facebook?' as he saw my feed flooded with heated debate in response to the pro-Trump… Continue reading Disagreeing well is good for us (far better than echo-chambers which just reinforce what we already believe)
Cakes, prophets and freedom of belief – by Lizzie Schofield
Photo by Brent Keane on Pexels.com Ashers Baking Co. in Northern Ireland were taken to court for refusing to decorate a cake with the words "Support Gay Marriage" because it went against their Christian beliefs. The judge ruled this was discriminatory and Ashers lost. With this 'progressive' ruling passed, I'm off to Golders Green to get… Continue reading Cakes, prophets and freedom of belief – by Lizzie Schofield
The harrowing reality of UK poverty: ‘I, Daniel Blake’ [Review]
In 1967, Ken Loach's film Cathy Come Home was a seminal moment in the national consciousness about homelessness. The film led directly to the formation of the national housing charity Shelter. I, Daniel Blake is a Cathy Come Home for our times. Loach has once again shone an unflinching spotlight on poverty in the UK today. Its a film… Continue reading The harrowing reality of UK poverty: ‘I, Daniel Blake’ [Review]
As a Christian, this is why I am voting for Trump – by Nick Miles
Photo by Rosemary Ketchum on Pexels.com Although I’m an American Citizen, I was raised in the UK and have also lived in Europe and Asia. I do understand why many Brits and others struggle to understand Trump's popularity. I want to explain why people like me will be voting for him on November 8th. Crossroads As… Continue reading As a Christian, this is why I am voting for Trump – by Nick Miles
‘It has saved me from a whole heap of misery’: one night sleeping rough to help bring others in from the cold
On Friday night, 40 people slept outside on cardboard in the churchyard of St James' Church Piccadilly in central London. I was there, along with my Mum (75), son (13), daughter (8), as well as my brother and two nieces. It was noisy and cold, and sightings of rats scurrying nearby did not exactly help any of us sleep… Continue reading ‘It has saved me from a whole heap of misery’: one night sleeping rough to help bring others in from the cold
What would the prophet Amos say to Donald Trump?
One of my favourite parts of my job is when I am asked to facilitate the spirituality discussion group at West London Mission's Day Centre for homeless people. We see around a hundred rough sleepers every day who come in for breakfasts, showers, medical help and appointments with our team. The spirituality discussion group meets every Tuesday. At… Continue reading What would the prophet Amos say to Donald Trump?
“In reaching out to the lost, I think I have found myself” – The Genius of the Poor [review]
“Somewhat ironically, my 12-month journey amongst the unlearned and unschooled has taught me more insights and life lessons than all my privileged education had achieved back home.” In 2012, Londoner Thomas Graham arrived in the Philippines expecting to stay one month. His assignment was to write an investment report on the Philippines, ‘one of the… Continue reading “In reaching out to the lost, I think I have found myself” – The Genius of the Poor [review]
