Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

January is a month of the beginning of great things! As well as the naming of the Son of God, we celebrate the conversion of the greatest ever apostle of the Christian faith.  Many books have been written on Paul, and here is the briefest of introductions. He was a Jew, born as ‘Saul’ at...

The Rectory St James the Least My dear Nephew Darren You may have had several years of intensive training on biblical interpretation, preaching and church history, but that doesn’t cover the really important matters in parish life: how to evade disgruntled parishioners, run a brisk Summer Fete and, in your case at present, deal with...

Smoking is on the decline. The number of people who successfully quit smoking last year was the highest in a decade, Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) reckons that more than a million people in the UK stopped smoking during the lockdown period. By the end of last year, smoking prevalence in England was at...

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...

As the days are dark, and winter still stretches ahead, many of us find the prospect of more restrictions for months to come even harder than when we first went into lockdown. After nine months of coronavirus, we are emotionally drained. We are financially drained.  We are lonely, depressed, frightened, and facing deep uncertainty, from...

What’s in your front garden? If it is sparse, why not consider adding some plants this year?  Apparently, the presence of greenery can lower your stress levels as much as two months of mindfulness sessions. Plants can also help you to feel happier. A recent trial study by the Royal Horticultural Society found that people...

It was 25 years ago this month, on 27th January 1996, that the first Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed in Germany. It became International Holocaust Day in 2005 when it was adopted by the United Nations. It marks the day (27th January 1945) when the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration/death camp was liberated. The theme for Holocaust Memorial...

Stewardship, the UK’s leading Christian philanthropy charity, has recently backed a report by leading back-bench MP Danny Kruger, calling for a ‘levelling up of our communities’ and a ‘New Deal for Faith Communities’ in the UK. Commissioned by No 10 Downing Street to bring forward proposals in light of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Danny Kruger consulted...

Looking forward to 2021 Epiphany With the US Presidential inauguration in mind… Miscellaneous quotes on politics The financial crisis… Some tips for your year ahead… Memorable ** Looking forward to 2021 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in His way. – Psalm 37:23 In all your ways...

Timothy and Titus are the saints for you if you’ve been a Christian for some time, and now suspect 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...

If you spend half an hour a day tidying the house, going up and down your stairs, and doing household chores, you are reducing the risk of an early death. So says recent guidance from the World Health Organisation, as it urges people to maintain regular moderate exercise on a daily basis, of up to...

** The cat A vicar and his wife were going out for the evening, and carefully set the security lights and put the cat out. But when they opened the door to go to the taxi, the cat slipped back in and disappeared upstairs. Irritated, the vicar followed it. The wife waited with the taxi...