Photo by Hakan Erenler on Pexels.com What does Advent mean for you? Advent is a time of waiting, of anticipation, to prepare for the celebration of Christmas. If I am honest, rather than a time of waiting, it is a time normally smothered with extra busyness, more spending and an anxiety about getting more things done.… Continue reading R&R’s Advent Challenge 2013
A real story of homelessness, addiction…and transformation
Grove Books have just published this booklet called 'Homelessness: Grace, Truth and Transformation' by myself and Chris Ward. I first met Chris at a Housing Justice seminar at the Greenbelt festival where he stood up and shared his own story of rough sleeping and addiction (see this previous post 'The best speaker at Greenbelt 2011'). Since… Continue reading A real story of homelessness, addiction…and transformation
Women Bishops? I think the jury is still out on male bishops…
This week the Synod of the Church of England voted to accept legislation that will almost certainly lead to finally accepting women as Bishops. I am in favour of this move for equality but that’s not what this post is about - there is enough of the internet filled already with those arguments. I think… Continue reading Women Bishops? I think the jury is still out on male bishops…
A Hull of a culture…
It was great to see Hull being awarded the 2017 City of Culture today. People who have never been to Hull may struggle to appreciate its qualities, but like many who have lived there I still have a genuine affection for the city. I spent three years in Hull studying social work and an extra… Continue reading A Hull of a culture…
‘They came expecting fireworks’: the launch of Christians on the Left
Christians on the Left, the new name for the Christian Socialist Movement, was formally launched in a packed room at the Houses of Parliament on November 5th. It was quite a night to be in that famous old building. Drawing inspiration from the most famous anti-parliamentary activism of all time, an anarchist demonstration was noisily… Continue reading ‘They came expecting fireworks’: the launch of Christians on the Left
Typhoon Haiyan: How to give direct to the Philippines – by Tom Graham
As everyone is already well aware, the Philippines last week fell victim to one of the most violent storms ever recorded. To put it in context, Typhoon Haiyan is the size of Germany and is estimated to have been 3.5 times more powerful than Hurricane Katrina. It hit vast swathes of the central Philippines and… Continue reading Typhoon Haiyan: How to give direct to the Philippines – by Tom Graham
The day they died: JFK, Aldous Huxley and CS Lewis on life, liberty & sainthood
JFK, Aldous Huxley and CS Lewis have all had a significant impact on my life and all died on the same day 50 years ago next week- 22 November 1963. Coincidentally, it's also St. Cecilia's day - the patron saint of music. Brave New World I read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley in my… Continue reading The day they died: JFK, Aldous Huxley and CS Lewis on life, liberty & sainthood
Why we need a new National Anthem – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 10)
This morning, like many other people, I went to a Remembrance service with my Scout group. At the end, they played the National Anthem. “God save our gracious Queen Long live our noble Queen God save the Queen Send her victorious Happy and glorious Long to reign over us God save the Queen” Listening to… Continue reading Why we need a new National Anthem – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 10)
Should the increase in poverty affect our response to people begging?
A while ago I was talking with a woman on Baker Street in central London who was begging and said she was homeless. She obviously had some form of drug dependency and almost certainly some form of mental health problems. As I was talking to her about the centre that West London Mission runs for… Continue reading Should the increase in poverty affect our response to people begging?
Thomas Merton on self-idolatry and solitude
I have just finished reading The Seven Storey Mountain, the spiritual autobiography of Thomas Merton. Its a beautiful book which chronicles his journey through childhood and student days to becoming a Trappist monk. Merton was born in 1915 and experienced an eclectic upbringing in USA, France and London. However, his early life was marked by… Continue reading Thomas Merton on self-idolatry and solitude
Grace + Truth 