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This month we remember St Barnabas, whose real name was Joseph, a wealthy Levite from Cyprus. However, he was better known by his nickname which means ‘Son of Encouragement’ (Acts 4:36). Throughout Acts we see him encouraging others in different ways. Barnabas was an example of generous giving (Acts 4:36-7), when he sold property and...

Acting to prevent global warming and biodiversity loss is the ‘right thing to do’ and a sign of Christian compassion for those who are suffering as a result of the climate crisis, the Church of England’s lead bishop for the environment said recently. Bishop Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich, has thanked parishes for their...

Most of us draw our curtains at night, in order to ensure privacy. But there is another very valid reason: to help protect local wildlife. It seems that insects who live in the countryside are very susceptible to bright lights, which can badly disrupt their overall health and general behaviour. As one scientist explained: “We...

After North Korea and Somalia, where in the world is it most dangerous to be a Christian? The World Watch List puts Yemen in third place. Yemen lies just south of Saudi Arabia and just east of Ethiopia. Torn apart by civil war, the extremist Islamist Houthi group are increasing in power, and both they...

1300 years ago, on 26th May 725, the Venerable Bede died. This English Benedictine monk, historian, linguist and teacher is known as “the father of English history.” He helped to popularise the idea of dating years from the birth of Christ (Anno Domini – AD). Bede was certainly born into a well-to-do family, but we...

Here you can download all of the editorial material for this month in one document.

The Bishop of Kirkstall, Arun Arora, and the Bishop of Croydon, Rosemarie Mallett, have been appointed by the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of London as joint lead bishops for the Church of England on racial justice. Their role will involve acting as advocates on racial justice throughout the Church of England, including promoting...

‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ This is how the book of Ecclesiastes begins (1:2), as it examines the futility of human experience ‘under the sun’. The author is named as ‘The Teacher’ (1:1, Hebrew qoheleth), traditionally identified with King Solomon. Although focusing on life in the physical world, the book ends with, ‘Fear God and keep his commandments’...

How far would you go to respond to God’s call on your life? When, as the daughter of a peasant family in Champagne in 1426, 14-year-old Joan heard heavenly voices calling her to ‘save France’ from the English, she decided to obey the call, no matter what the consequences. Teenage girls who want to rescue...

You probably already know this: when your partner can’t sleep, it is very likely that you won’t be able to, either. A recent study from the University of East Anglia has found that sleep problems are contagious. The study looked at the impact of workplace bullying on sleep, and it found that not only does...

It was 125 years ago, on 17th May 1900 during the Second Boer War, that the 217-day Siege of Mafeking was relieved by 2000 British forces and South African volunteers. Colonel Robert Baden-Powell, who led the forces defending Mafeking during the siege, later became a national hero, and founded the Scouting movement. Mafeking, now known...

** Already well connected The telephone rang in the church office of the church that the MP attended when visiting his constituency. An eager voice inquired: “Do you expect the MP to be in church on Sunday? If so, I was thinking of coming along.” “That,” said the clergyman, “I cannot promise. But we do...