The Queen's message, broadcast on Christmas Day was viewed by almost 8 million people this year. This meant it topped the Christmas viewing charts. In recent years, the Queen has been increasingly open about her Christian faith. This quote particularly struck me this year: “For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the prince of peace, whose birth we… Continue reading The Queen’s Christmas message: a model of how to talk about faith in the public sphere
Unknowable love, unknowable power; revealed in vulnerability
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com From Bono on Bono: conversations with Michka Assayas: "I remember coming back from a very long tour...Got home for Christmas, very excited of being in Dublin. On Christmas Eve, I went to St Patrick's Cathedral...it's a kind of tradition on Christmas Eve to go but I had never been. I went… Continue reading Unknowable love, unknowable power; revealed in vulnerability
‘Do not be afraid’ is at the heart of the Christmas story
Nativity scene – Julius Garibaldi Melchers – 1891 All of us have many things that they can worry about - whether its money, work, family or tricky relationships. When I became a parent it hugely expanded the scope and range of things I could be fearful of. You could say that anxiety is the default setting for modern… Continue reading ‘Do not be afraid’ is at the heart of the Christmas story
One female bishop is not enough: the Church must behave more like Jesus – by Hannah Martin
As the incarnation of progressive politics, Christ would be taking a stand against every evil, from the arms trade to Ukip. The Church of England needs to do the same The Church of England has just announced that Libby Lane is to be the first female bishop – 22 years after the General Synod decided… Continue reading One female bishop is not enough: the Church must behave more like Jesus – by Hannah Martin
‘The Great Reversal’ – a poem by Kester Brewin
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Walking with the crowds, Carried along by the pressing forward. Each one eager to get ahead, but each one starting the same – born as a baby and from then on struggling towards meaning, power and influence. Be someone, Be remembered, Make a big impression; leave some indelible mark in… Continue reading ‘The Great Reversal’ – a poem by Kester Brewin
Three reasons why everyone should watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ this Christmas
Victims of injustice or just bad cooks? Whose responsibility is food poverty?
On Monday I attended the launch of the report of the All Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Food Poverty in the UK. Over the last week, the whole issue has had an incredible amount of coverage in the media. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, opened the event and said that hunger is Britain is an… Continue reading Victims of injustice or just bad cooks? Whose responsibility is food poverty?
Why are churches ‘the best social melting pots in modern Britain’?
Love Streatham's Family Fun Day Today, the Daily Telegraph reports on the findings of research by the Social Integration Commission about the places where people from different backgrounds meet and mix with each other. The article, with the headline 'Churches are the best social melting pots in modern Britain', states: ‘Overall, it found that churches and other places of worship are more successful… Continue reading Why are churches ‘the best social melting pots in modern Britain’?
‘He was a nuisance then and he’s a nuisance now’
'He was a nuisance then' said Braddock 'and he's a nuisance now. He won't let you work out cosy little systems and call 'em "churches", and he won't let you get away with having four meetings a week to discuss what you're going to do in next week's meetings. If that's what you want, you'll find… Continue reading ‘He was a nuisance then and he’s a nuisance now’
The Market is King – by Keith Hebden
This is the text of a sermon given by Rev. Keith Hebden at St Paul's Cathedral on Sunday 30th November, 2014 Photo by Yoss Traore on Pexels.com I travelled around 140 miles to get here from a town called Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. Mansfield is a warm-hearted and friendly town but one where thousands will struggle… Continue reading The Market is King – by Keith Hebden
Grace + Truth 