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
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
It’s a 2 poppy day
This November I'll be wearing two poppies - the regular red poppy and the white peace poppy. White Poppies White poppies were first distributed in 1933 by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU) and are intended as a challenge to the 'continuing drive to war'. In my recent post on Syria I quoted the founder of… Continue reading It’s a 2 poppy day
Now is the time for Christians on the Left
Next week, the Christian Socialist Movement will officially launch its new name: Christians on the Left. I was strongly in favour of a name-change -you can read my reasons in a previous R&R post. I think the launch of Christians on the Left is a significant moment in the history of faith-based political activism. Rather… Continue reading Now is the time for Christians on the Left
My night sleeping rough – by Olive Kuhrt (aged 72)
For most of my life I have experienced a soft comfortable bed to sleep in and a warm centrally heated bedroom. I have never considered it a luxury. However, a few weeks ago I decided to join my son and grandson as they were planning to sleep-out on the steps of Marylebone Parish Church. They… Continue reading My night sleeping rough – by Olive Kuhrt (aged 72)
10 Reasons why partnership working doesn’t happen
Everyone in government and charitable agencies is quick to say how committed to partnership working they are. Everyone agrees on the need to join up, work together and be smarter, but so often it doesn’t happen. Here’s my top ten reasons why: 1. We don’t do the arguing at the start Us British are not… Continue reading 10 Reasons why partnership working doesn’t happen
Our Addiction to Self-Promotion
A few years ago I was asked to speak at a conference for youth and community workers. The person who had invited me didn’t know me well but had been involved in an online campaign that I had helped start. I soon realised my host was under a misapprehension that I was a lot more well-known than… Continue reading Our Addiction to Self-Promotion
