Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

When do you think capital punishment was abolished in Britain? It was actually 50 years ago this month, in December 1969.  It ended the macabre ritual of a judge donning a black cap, solemnly declaring that the accused was found guilty and would ‘be taken hence to a place of public execution…and there to be...

Robert Louis Stevenson died 125 years ago, on 3rd December 1894. The Scottish novelist, short story writer, poet and travel journalist was best known for novels such as Treasure Island and Kidnapped. He travelled widely, but always suffered from serious bronchial trouble. During his early years his parents and nurse immersed him in Presbyterianism and Calvinism,...

Christina Rossetti, British poet and hymn-writer, died of cancer 125 years ago, on 29th December 1894. She was 64. Christina was the youngest child of poet and Dante scholar Gabriele Rossetti, who emigrated to England from Italy in 1824, and the half-Italian Frances Polidari, who he married in 1926. Christina was also sister of the pre-Raphaelite...

Christmas A Christmas Prayer Christmas Message When God was born Who Knew? The Christmas Caterpillar Bethlehemian Rhapsody ** Christmas (John1:1-14) Fumbling around in a frenzy, From September stress levels rise, Dates collide, Imagination falters As presents and experiences fail to satisfy The expectations of a world that walks In the darkness of denial and Dawkins....

It was 100 years ago, on 1st December 1919, that Lady Nancy Astor became the first female Member of Parliament to take her seat in the House of Commons. She was not the first woman MP – that was Constance Markievicz, an Irish Republican who, although elected in 1918, did not take her seat. Nancy Langhorne...

Do you know any odd Christians?   People with hearts of gold, who would never harm anyone… but who are nonetheless just plain ODD…. Well, Daniel the Stylite should be their patron saint.  Perhaps he is the proof that God can bless and use any one of us – no matter how batty some of our...

Wake Up to Advent! – The Archbishop of York’s Advent Book, 2019 By John Sentamu, SPCK, £9.99 ‘This is the hour of crisis: it is high time for you to wake out of sleep, for deliverance is nearer to us now than it was when first we believed.’ St Paul’s encouraging words to the Christians...

How well did you read the News this year?  Try this quiz and find out… What is a Gillet jaune? The famous fashion designer Karl Lagerfield died this year leaving his £150 million fortune to Choupette. Who or what is Choupette? In March an aeroplane left London City airport flight with number BA3271 to Düsseldorf....

Some people have near-death experiences…. Lazarus should be their patron saint.  Except that he went all the way, and died for four days.  He was quiet in his tomb and the mourners of Bethany were in full swing – before Jesus called him back to life.  (See John 11: 1 – 44.) What happened next...

By John Sentamu, SPCK, £9.99 ‘This is the hour of crisis: it is high time for you to wake out of sleep, for deliverance is nearer to us now than it was when first we believed.’ St Paul’s encouraging words to the Christians in Rome are the springboard for the Archbishop of York’s Advent book for...

Scrooge Owning a dog is good for your heart Shake hands Generous Popular toys for Christmas? Those newsletters inside their Christmas card…</strong Who might be disappointed by your Christmas gift?  Will you say ‘thanks’ for your Christmas presents? **   Editor:   David Pickup, a solicitor, considers closing the office for Christmas…  Scrooge  It is Christmas...

 What is a Gillet jaune? A:  A Gillet jaune is the yellow reflective vest French drivers have to carry by law in their cars. It became associated with protest. The famous fashion designer Karl Lagerfield died this year leaving his £150 million fortune to Choupette. Who or what is Choupette? A:  Choupette is a cat,...