Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

In 563 an Irish monk was forced to leave his homeland because of a conflict that had led to a misuse of power and even bloodshed. On Pentecost Sunday he arrived on the island of Iona off the north-west coast of Scotland with twelve companions. There he began a new way of life, founded on...

The international development agency, Christian Aid, will spend £8m on vital supplies over the next six months to help the Ukrainian people. The money comes from donations to DEC, the Disasters Emergency Committee, that has raised more than £300m for Ukraine. That’s around £3 on average donated by every person in the UK. Through its...

The Rectory St James the Leas My dear Nephew Darren This has been an unusual month: we have moved from hysterical excitement to deep disappointment within the space of days. For many years, our vestry has displayed an oil painting generously donated by the Dowager Duchess of Stansby – given to us, I suspect, because...

A time to celebrate male role models In the UK, USA and Canada, the third Sunday in June is Father’s Day. It’s usually a good time for sons and daughters to take their father to his favourite restaurant, or to watch a favoured sport, or whatever else he enjoys doing. How will you celebrate it...

Fans of the popular Star Wars films were surprised when Darth Vader said to Luke Skywalker “I am your father.” This unexpected disclosure paved the way for future surprises in the episodes that followed. Many times, Jesus surprised His hearers with parables that had unexpected twists and turns. No doubt He astonished the disciples when...

The on-going rise in energy costs is eye-watering. Here are some well-proven ways to save money: Always turn off the lights when you leave a room. Forget about maintaining an ‘ambience’ in your home. Turn down your thermostat by at least a degree. Or two. Or three? Get some LED bulbs – they are six...

More than a million free prayer cards are being delivered to cathedrals and churches of all denominations to help people find comfort and hope. The cards, which will be available for visitors in cathedrals and other churches, are designed to help people discover prayer – whether to express grief, loneliness, fear or worry, or simply to...

 It was: 250 years ago, on 22nd June 1772 that the Court of King’s Bench ruled that slavery was illegal in England and Wales. But it remained legal in British Overseas Territories and colonies until 1833. 100 years ago, on 10th June 1922 that Judy Garland, American actress and singer, was born.  Best known for...

Before U were thought of or time had begun, God even stuck U in the name of His Son. And each time U pray, you’ll see it’s true You can’t spell out JesUs and not include U You’re a pretty big part of His wonderful name, For U, He was born; that’s why He came....

The huge outpouring of support for Ukraine is now eclipsing other crises around the world, which in turn is threatening millions with starvation. So warns a number of charities and other humanitarian organisations. The UN reports that the situation in Somalia, where 4.5milliion people are at risk of starvation owing to the worst drought in...

Sarah Eberle’s Psalm 23 Garden: design tips for a calm green space Room for God Come Holy Gift – prayer poems for the Christian Year. Messy Church Goes Wild: caring for the world we live in Wild Bible, Wild Church Sing, Play, Make & Pray Christian Beliefs (2nd Edn) – Twenty Basics Every Christian Should...

Not everyone agrees that religion is declining! Once a year the World Christian Database (WCD) issues an article (in the International Bulletin of Mission Research) showing the latest global figures on religion. The latest issue shows that the number of Christian adherents worldwide in 2022 has increased to some 2.56 billion people in total, 32.2% of...