Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

This month, on 25th January, the Church celebrates probably the most famous conversion of all. At least, what happened to a young man called Saul on the road to Damascus has become a byword for all instant conversions – what is known as a ‘damascene’ moment. Saul was a devout Jew, a Pharisee, a student...

Growing insecurity in Iraq and on its border could lead to a fresh exodus of Christians from the country, warns a partner of Release International, which is supporting refugees in the country. Only around 300,000 Christians remain in Iraq from a peak of 1.8 million in the year 2000. They’ve been driven out by conflict...

We live in one world where the homeless are our collective responsibility, the Revd Dr Barbara Glasson said in a recent visit to Whitechapel Mission in London.  The mission serves about 300 breakfasts each day to the homeless. Whitechapel Mission, in the heart of the East End of London, recently celebrated its 143rd anniversary. Open...

Timothy and Titus are the saints for you if you’ve been a Christian for some time, and now realise that God wants you to move into some form of leadership.  A daunting prospect! The books of First and Second Timothy and Titus are what are known as the three pastoral letters, where Paul writes to...

The two earthquakes which recently rocked Albania caused massive damage, killing at least 47 people and injuring 750.  The first was magnitude 6.4, the worst earthquake Albania has experienced for decades. In the weeks since the quakes, the Albanian Evangelical Alliance has been coordinating churches across the country to provide hot meals, tents, blankets, transport...

With international concern about the welfare of children, Angela is a good saint to remember as the year gets underway.  Not only did she herself survive a harsh childhood, but she went on to dedicate her own life to helping children in need. Angela was born near Lake Garda, in Desenzano, where she was orphaned...

I’ll sing to that… There was a church where the new minister and the organist were not getting along. As time went by this began to spill over into the worship service. One week the minister preached on commitment and how we all should dedicate ourselves to the service of God. The organist played: ‘We...

In 2018 England’s cathedrals witnessed their highest Easter congregation numbers in recent years, while visitor numbers increased by a million on the previous year, according to recently published statistics. Cathedrals reported nearly ten million visitors in 2018, an increase of over 10 per cent on the previous year. There were additionally over a million visitors...

Following the elections at 3Generate, the Methodist Children and Youth Assembly, it has been announced that the next Youth President will be Phoebe Parkin, aged 17, from the Telford circuit in the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District. Phoebe will become the new Youth President at a service to be held in September 2020. Phoebe campaigned on the...

Are you wondering about which charities to support this year? Does it matter to you if your money is used wisely or not? If so, then Maedoc of Ferns is the patron saint for you this month. He certainly knew how to deal with people who would waste his money. Maedoc (d 626) was born...