What theme could more appropriate on November 5th than religious tolerance? After all it is the night when we remember the failure of Catholic activists to blow up Parliament and kill the King. An event we have celebrated for over 400 years by gleefully burning effigies of the most celebrated conspirator, Guy Fawkes, who was… Continue reading Conviction and tolerance…in an age of bigotry
Halloween: a time to confront our real fears (of young people)
Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev on Pexels.com We spent last week on holiday so we were out of London for Halloween for the first time in years. We were in a quiet village but we received a warning about what to expect from one of the locals: "You should expect to be busy, all the kids… Continue reading Halloween: a time to confront our real fears (of young people)
What should Mission look like in the 21st Century?
Christians have repeatedly tied themselves in knots about Mission. At various times we've boxed it, felt guilty about it, outsourced it and pretended to do it whilst running in the other direction. Mission as we often think of it came of age in 17th Century, but what should it look like in 2012? To start… Continue reading What should Mission look like in the 21st Century?
Lament, protest and resistance – by Keith Hebden
Photo by kailash kumar on Pexels.com I met recently with Manohar, a South Indian priest and activist, in his office in central Bengaluru (Bangalore). Manohar is a Dalit and a determined champion of the rights of the Dalits whose spiritual and political solidarity with the oppressed are integral to each other. He told me of a… Continue reading Lament, protest and resistance – by Keith Hebden
Homelessness: how the Church still offers hospitality and hope
Two major events happening in November show why the Church continues has such an important role in addressing homelessness. Firstly, on November 8th there is the Annual Service of Commemoration for homeless people who have died in the past year which is held every year at St Martins-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. This is always a… Continue reading Homelessness: how the Church still offers hospitality and hope
George! No more benefit cuts before we get a living wage
George Osborne has said that he wants to cut benefits by a further £10bn in the next five years on top of the £18bn already announced. He singled out Housing Benefit for special treatment, slamming people claiming it for having an easy life compared to people working. What Osborne chose to ignore in his rhetoric… Continue reading George! No more benefit cuts before we get a living wage
The best thing I did last summer – Lee Abbey Camp 2012
It was a great summer: the Jubilee, the London Olympics and my 40th birthday. The weather was not great but our family holiday in Costa Del Kent coincided with the hottest week of the year and my birthday picnic was only slightly dampened by a torrential downpour… But for me, the best week of the year… Continue reading The best thing I did last summer – Lee Abbey Camp 2012
The Power of CBeebies
CBeebies the hugely successful channel aimed at 0-6 year olds, is ten this year. Although not directly a New Labour Project it still perfectly reflects the government’s cultural agenda of the time. Culture not economy At the height of the Blarite Years in the early 2000s a conservative commentator perceptively wrote that: ‘all the lefties… Continue reading The Power of CBeebies
Graham Jakeman – Rest In Joy
My church leader, Graham Jakeman, died suddenly earlier in the summer aged 44. His vision, faith and unique leadership helped start and sustain Jubilee Church since it began in September 2003. Stubborn Graham was stubborn. I am used to being able to convince and influence people through my words and arguments, but I don't think… Continue reading Graham Jakeman – Rest In Joy
Left behind: Why the Christian Socialist Movement needs a new name
I remember someone saying to me years ago that Christian Socialist Movement (CSM) had three main problems. Firstly, it wasn’t Christian. Secondly, it wasn’t Socialist. And thirdly, it definitely wasn’t a Movement. And five years ago CSM was struggling. The average age of the membership was the on the rise, numbers were in decline, finances… Continue reading Left behind: Why the Christian Socialist Movement needs a new name
