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– faithful servant who would not deny his Lord Polycarp (c. 69 – c. 155) was one of the most important Christians in Roman Asia in the mid-2nd century, because of his link between the time of the Apostles and the earliest Christian Fathers. This disciple of John the Apostle became bishop of Smyrna and...

You may not be the only one enjoying the comfort of your car this winter. According to recent figures from the RAC, if you have left your car standing alone for even a week, then anything from rats, squirrels, mice, foxes and even snakes may have moved in. A squirrel stockpiling nuts in a car...

The following are extracts from the Statement. “We are dismayed that the place of our Saviour’s birth is once again wracked by violence, death and destruction. “We grieve that innocent children have been disproportionately affected by this conflict. “Of the 1,300 people killed in the abhorrent terrorist attacks of Hamas on 7th October, 33 were...

A selection of readings and prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and asking for God’s blessing for same-sex couples can be used in Church of England services, following recent approval by the House of Bishops. The final texts of Prayers of Love and Faith, commended for use in regular public worship or private prayer, can be used in...

– the chosen one       Have you ever been in the position where someone is desperately needed – and you fit the bill perfectly? It is almost as if all your miscellaneous qualifications that never made much sense before now make PERFECT sense. And you sense that you have been chosen by God for the...

Forty years ago, on 14th February 1984, figure skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won the gold medal in ice dancing at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. They scored the first perfect 6.0 in Olympic history. Both are from Nottingham and, despite the obvious chemistry between them, they have never been romantically involved with each...

The romance of Valentine’s Day can be a reminder that it is good to take stock of your own romantic relationship.  In other words, how well are you getting along with the one whom you love at present? If you feel things could be improved between you, but that you are running out of enthusiasm...

The gospels record that people were astounded by many of the things that Jesus said. Even His enemies, intent on trapping Him, admitted: “No one ever spoke the way this man does.” (John 7:46) Furthermore, “the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers...

Women have added almost three inches to their waistlines over the last three decades. A recent mass survey across England has found that the average woman now has a waist span of 35 inches. That is up from an average of just over 32 inches in the 1990s. A ‘very high waist circumference’ is defined...

Bishops and other faith leaders have joined forces with the Bishop of London to call on the Government to make a change in the leave-to-remain status situation for asylum seekers. They say they want practice to match policy, for there to be better communication with asylum seekers, and for the timeframe to be extended. While...

It was 65 years ago, on 3rd February 1959, that American rock-and-roll performers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash in Iowa. Thanks to Don McLean and his eight-minute hit song American Pie, it became known as “the day the music died”. Buddy Holly was a rock ‘n’...

Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith Lent with the Beloved Disciple Mapping Your Spiritual Journey – a companion and guide On Mission with Jesus – Changing the Default Setting of the Church Lent and Easter for Everyone – from Wilderness to Glory Holding Onto Hope: 40 days of God’s encouragement through...