Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

Hundreds of churches have signed up to a week-long ‘nature count’ occurring this month (June), which will encourage people to visit churchyards and record what they see. Churches Count on Nature, to run between 5th-13th June, is a citizen-science event covering churchyards across England and Wales. Communities and visitors will be asked to make a...

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was born 100 years ago on 10th June 1921, on a dining room table in Corfu, at a villa called Mon Repos. He was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark and always thought of himself as Danish, though he was in line of succession to both thrones. He was...

“We have thanked God for Prince Philip’s life of extraordinary service. There are some rare people who bring energy into a room – the Duke of Edinburgh was very much one of those people. His presence lifted a gathering. He might have challenged and interrogated, but whatever he said, he never bored anyone. “The Duke...

More than 4,000 Church of England parishes have stepped up their support to local communities in the face of rising levels of poverty, loneliness and isolation since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new research. Church volunteers have delivered food, shopped, walked dogs and collected prescriptions this past year, according to a report by the Church...

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...

The Church of England has recently launched a new ‘Vision for Further Education’, which calls for a major shift in its engagement with the sector. The report, Vocation, Transformation & Hope, highlights three themes, exploring how further education (FE) makes a significant difference to people’s sense of vocation, their personal transformation, and their hope for society. The...

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

According to a recent study conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and two universities, people who garden every day have well-being scores 6.6 per cent higher, and stress levels 4.2 per cent lower than those who do not garden at all. Dr Lauriane Chalmin-Pui, RHS well-being fellow and lead author says, “The evidence overwhelmingly...

How do you ‘sit’ in church? I’m a wriggler and change my position on the seat often. I cross one leg over the other, then swap them over, stretch them out, then cross them at the ankles. I do the same with my arms.  I lean one way and then the other. In other words, ‘I’m a...

Just when we thought the last word had been written about the late Duke of Edinburgh, it emerged that he had a genuine interest in theology.  That dashing young naval officer, who became the Queen’s dutiful consort and accompanied her to thousands of church services, was someone who listened intently to sermons, thought through what...

Britain’s first Christian martyr Alban was the very first Christian martyr in Britain – or at least the first we know of. A ‘martyr’ is someone who has died for the faith – the word literally means ‘witness’. He was probably killed during the persecution under the emperor Diocletian in the early years of the...

This month (June) could see a sudden bumper appearance of the notorious garden pest, Japanese knotweed. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)experts have warned that the April frosts either delayed or killed other plants who would have helped keep it in check. Unfortunately, the pest is very hardy, and will not have been killed off. The...