Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

Many of us will remember where we were 25 years ago this month, on Tuesday 11th September, when reports began to come in of planes crashing into skyscrapers in New York. For those of us who were at work, the shock was such that little work got done the rest of that day. Instead, we...

St Matthew was one of 12 apostles. But he began as a publican i.e. a tax-collector of Jewish race who worked for the Romans, before he left all at the call of Christ.  From earliest times, he was regarded as the author of the first of the four Gospels.    The Gospel of Matthew is in...

Young adults are coming to faith in a range of different ways, some very different from previous generations, according to a new report. New research commissioned by the Church of England uncovers how growing spiritual curiosity among young adults has led to a range of unexpected routes by which they are discovering Christian faith and...

It was: 250 years ago, on 9th September that the Second Continental Congress adopted the name United States, which replaced United Colonies. 200 years ago, on 5th September 1826 that John Wisden, British cricketer was born. Founder of Wisden’s Cricketers’ Almanac. Launched with 112 pages in 1864, it now runs to 1500 pages and is...

22nd September is the autumnal equinox (if you live in the northern hemisphere) or the vernal (Spring) equinox (if you live in the southern hemisphere). The equinoxes occur in March and September, when the Sun is ‘edgewise’ to the Earth’s axis of rotation, so that everywhere on earth has 12 hours of daylight and 12...

This month we return to looking at Old Testament books. The book of Daniel describes his life in Babylon during the sixth century B.C., when he served both Babylonian and Persian rulers. As a teenager, Daniel and his three friends were deported in 605 B.C. to Babylon, where he lived for over 70 years. They...

Couples will soon be able to marry almost anywhere, including forests, beaches, cruise ships at sea, canal boats, and at home, under Government proposals that “shift the focus from bricks and mortar to people and promises”. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is to consult on plans to allow “authorised officiants” of any religion or belief...

The Bible contains descriptions of many kinds of leaders. These men (and sometimes women) were responsible for the well-being of groups of people. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. Joshua led the wilderness wanderers into the Promised Land. Gideon, Ezra and Nehemiah led people to fight against their enemies and improved their moral and...

The Church of England dioceses have been urged to examine how they might do more to help children in the care system, in a recent debate at the General Synod highlighting the ‘enormous challenges’ facing looked after children and care leavers Members voted unanimously to back the appointment of a lead bishop to advocate for...

It’s amazing how little some things change down the centuries.  Take the life of Gerard Sagredo, for instance.  He left his ‘comfort zone’ of home and church because he felt God’s calling on his life.  He travelled abroad and taught in order to earn his living in a non-Christian country.  In his spare time he...

There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both large and small. Psalm 104:25 Do you remember rock? I do not mean the music, but the confectionary sticks sold at seaside resorts. They were pink cylinders about a foot long and an inch wide with a white centre and had the name...

St Ceolfrith is a good patron saint for anyone who has studied hard for their profession, is strong in the face of tragedy, and who can also offer some homely care to others in need. This well-loved abbot of Wearmouth and Jarrow came from a noble Northumbrian family, and was ordained at Ripon when he...