Homelessness

We CAN make a difference to homeless people – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)

Homelessness is a man-made issue. Just like pollution, we have started it so we have to help end it. People are living on the streets, having a nightmare life.  We cannot sit here and pretend it’s not happening. I can't imagine living on the streets, being insecure, always having to worry where you are going… Continue reading We CAN make a difference to homeless people – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)

Social commentary

The J-Law photo leak: why your opinion is important – by Sophie Whitehead

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com Unless you’ve been living under a wifi-less rock for the last couple of months, you know about the celebrity nude photo flood. I say flood rather than leak because of the sheer quantity of celebrities who were involved: Jennifer Lawrence, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Kaley Cuoco, Vanessa Hudgens, Ariana Grande,… Continue reading The J-Law photo leak: why your opinion is important – by Sophie Whitehead

Theology

Church on the Corner: an Oasis in the Blur of urban life

"Jesus did not write a book but formed a community" Lesslie Newbigin Just under twenty years ago, I borrowed my mum's car to visit my mate Giles who had moved to King's Cross.  When I got to his flat, he said 'Sit down and listen to this' and he played me Wonderwall from Oasis' recently released album (What's the Story) Morning… Continue reading Church on the Corner: an Oasis in the Blur of urban life

Social commentary

Fighting dirty in the battle for school places

This week, a mother was convicted of forgery after she submitted a fake tenancy agreement in order to secure a place at a high performing school for her daughter. She was fined £500 and sentenced to 100 hours of community service. Many parents might have sympathy for her. The magistrate in the case, Michael Peacock, sounded… Continue reading Fighting dirty in the battle for school places

Social commentary

Is war a necessary evil? – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)

War is the worst thing known to man. People dying at terrifying rates. The Chance of dying at any second. It is a horrible thing. Yet, sometimes it is necessary. You cannot let sometime storm into your country, kill everyone, abuse you and become powerful for being evil. When Hitler invaded Poland, they couldn’t just… Continue reading Is war a necessary evil? – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)

Ethics & Christian living, Recommended books & reviews

‘The Book of Forgiving’ by Desmond & Mpho Tutu [Review]

"Forgiveness is not easy, but it is the path to healing. It was not easy for Nelson Mandela to spend twenty-seven years in prison, but when people say to me what a waste it was, I say no, it was not a waste. It took twenty-seven years for him to be transformed from an angry, unforgiving… Continue reading ‘The Book of Forgiving’ by Desmond & Mpho Tutu [Review]

Social commentary

Loch Mess: the Caledonian Crisis, 2034 – a blog post from the future

Yesterday saw a marked escalation of the conflict between England and Scotland.  In a statement released by Downing Street, Prime Minister Euan Blair confirmed the significant expansion of English military action: “I have ordered reinforcements to bolster the British troops placed along the Scottish border.  Operation Hadrian has being stepped up to maintain the integrity… Continue reading Loch Mess: the Caledonian Crisis, 2034 – a blog post from the future

Social action

The dis-integration of Christian social action

In the last 15 years there has been huge growth in social action projects established by churches. The rise of Food Banks has probably been the most high profile example but there has also been a massive increase in Church-run Night Shelters and debt advice services. These newer initiatives have joined well-established projects which have… Continue reading The dis-integration of Christian social action

Reflections & Poetry

Pray in the tension

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com Today Many of us live A nation of strangers Aliens in cities, Trapped in societies Of rapid, social change. Constantly We face new problems With no clear answers. It's not happened To us before. Nobody’s behaved like that before. We’ve got no tailor-made pattern.   It’s an itsy-bitsy life.… Continue reading Pray in the tension

Ethics & Christian living

How should our faith affect the way we live?

This morning I listened to a short reflection* about how small actions can make a big difference. The example used was how significant it was for Desmond Tutu when as a young boy he saw a white priest doff his hat in courtesy to his mother who was a domestic worker. Growing up under apartheid  in South Africa… Continue reading How should our faith affect the way we live?