Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

A new report has highlighted the hugely positive economic and social impact England’s cathedrals have on their cities. In 2019, England’s 42 Anglican cathedrals contributed £235m to their local economies. They provided 6,065 jobs, full time equivalent jobs and volunteering posts for 15,400 people who gave 906,000 hours of their time. They welcomed more than...

Youth outreach can be daunting, but now a new organisation promises to help local churches begin to do it, ‘stress free’. Amplify is the nation’s national Young Evangelists’ Academy for 11-17s. HOPE Together’s Youth Director Dan Randall says, “We would love to serve churches by equipping their young people to reach their generation for Jesus....

Can you think of a politician who deserves to be called a saint?  If no one currently living politician comes to mind, never mind – there is always King Alfred of Wessex (871-899). This remarkable and best known of all the Anglo-Saxon rulers may have dozed off and let some cakes burn while a peasant...

Holier Than Thou Christ, the Cross and the Concrete Jungle Ultimate Grace – a true story of frisbee and faith in Japan Understanding Modern Israel – a biblical perspective Stories Jesus Told Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 80 activity ideas for the adventurous Finding Abundance in Scarcity – step towards church transformation Busyness: finding God...

Editor:  Here are some more real-life extracts from church bulletins and notices that didn’t come out quite in the way intended! The church will host an evening of fine dining, superb entertainment, and gracious hostility. Harvest Supper Friday at 6pm. Prayer and medication to follow. The Men’s group will meet at 6pm. Steak, mashed potatoes,...

Last month we thought about the bread we share at the Communion table. But what about any bread that is left over – regardless of the type of bread or wafer used? During the service the bread and the wine are ‘consecrated’. That is, they are set aside for a specific purpose, in this case to...

This special Sunday in the church’s calendar is an opportunity to stop and consider the enormous blessing that the Bible has brought to people down the centuries. Without it, we would know nothing about God our Father, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit. It is God-breathed – full of His love and guidance to us. ...

 A ten-year-old girl has launched a national petition asking the Department for Education to introduce an annual fundraising day for animals in schools across the country. Bailey Woozeer proposes that World Animal Day, held annually on October 4, would be an ideal opportunity for schools to support both British and international animal welfare charities through...

Zacchaeus Autumn Prayer Prove it Thy Word Remember the Stories? The Pilgrim’s Relief To the Son ** Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) I wanted to sit here And watch Him, Just watch the man Jesus walk by. Hidden by the leaves, Hidden from the loathing of my lifestyle I simply wanted to see Him From my tree....

There are three things to bear in mind when you pick up your Bible: First, approach it expectantly.  The Bible is not just another book – it is the Word of God, given to us by God to help us and instruct us. The Psalmist declared, ‘Your Word is a lamp to my feet and...

A national network of Church of England clergy of Chinese heritage that grew out of a Whatsapp support group during the pandemic has been launched. The Teahouse, made up of clergy and ordinands from across the country, was founded by the Revd Mark Nam, a curate at St Anne’s church in Oldland and United Church...

The answer sounds stupidly simple: put more vegetables on their plates. But recent research at Penn State University has found that by simply doubling the amount of vegetables on the plate, the child ate 68 per cent more of them. And adding salt and butter made little difference. While vegetables will rarely be more attractive...