Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

St Swithun is apparently the saint you can blame for rainy summers.  It is said that if it rains on his special day, 15th July, it will then rain for 40 days after that.  It all began when Swithun was made Bishop of Winchester in 852 by King Ethelwulf of Wessex. It was an important...

Take the book of Samuel in the Bible, add a bit of Luke Skywalker father/son conflict from Star Wars, stir in a dash of Pirates of the Caribbean, and you sort of have the story of St Helier – the first saint and martyr of Jersey. According to the legend, it all began in 6th...

Investigating racial incidents Evaluation of independent survivor support service reports ‘positive impact’ Church’s 2023 strategic investment focuses on doubling number of children and young people – report  Weekly Church attendance up five per cent in third year of consecutive growth  Church of England welcomes opportunities to open Special Schools following Government announcement Sudan: The forgotten...

Do you have a sister?  Is she ‘good news’ in your life?   Macrina the Younger (c. 327 -79) should be the patron saint of all ‘sisters’ whose generosity helps their siblings to succeed. Macrina the Younger was the eldest of 10 children.  Their father was Basil the Elder, a leader in the church in 4th...

A support service for survivors of church-related abuse has published its 2024 Evaluation report. Safe Spaces, which launched in September 2020, is an independent advocacy and support service for victims and survivors of church-related abuse in the Catholic Church of England and Wales, the Church of England, and the Church in Wales. The report notes...

As the traditional Easter story is remembered again this month, you may notice that there is one name that frequently occurs. It is that of the ‘other’ Mary – not the mother of Jesus but Mary of Magdala, who stood by her at the cross and became the first human being, male or female, actually...

Over the coming months, the Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice (ACRJ) will be investigating racial incidents in the Church of England. The Commission will explore whether systems are in place to address experiences of racism and the extent to which existing policies and procedures are effective. Complaints Handling was a key recommendation in the 2020...

Ukraine: “goodness will triumph” Remembering the faith of Eric Liddell – 100 years ago at Paris Olympics King Charles accepts patronage of National Churches Trust & Bible Society Is God calling YOU to serve on diocesan synod? Sea Sunday – 14th July Millions face famine in Haiti as hurricane season approaches Demand for foodbanks increases...

The Olympic Games From the Vicar What’s the Big Idea? – An Introduction to 1 & 2 Samuel Reflecting Faith: Commissioner Churches Doubts about the Christian faith? – take action now! Do you need a new pain-killer? ** Editor:  Canon Paul Hardingham looks forward to Paris…                                                                                                                                                                                                      The Olympic Games This month sees the start of...

Later this month Christians all over the world will commemorate probably the most unlikely saint in the Bible, Mary Magdalene. There was something in her background that has always fascinated people. All we are told about her ‘past’ is that Jesus had cast ‘seven devils’ out of her, but on that slender if intriguing evidence...

– on doubling number of children and young people – report  The latest report on the Church of England’s strategic investment shows how funding in the last year has prioritised doubling the numbers of children and young people, and revitalising parishes for mission. In the year 2023, Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Funding (SMMI) awarded...

It is easy to understand the popularity of Mary Magdalene over the centuries: she is the patron saint both of repentant sinners and of the contemplative life. Jesus drove seven demons from Mary, who came from near Tiberius in Galilee.  She became His follower to the bitter end.  She followed Him to Jerusalem and was...