Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

The Archbishops’ Council, at a recent meeting, voted unanimously for safeguarding proposals to offer both immediate practical support to survivors of abuse and also to strengthen independence in the Church’s safeguarding work. The Council approved a proposed plan for an interim pilot support scheme for survivors and agreed to draw down reserves for an initial...

A quarter of mammals in the UK are at risk of extinction, and this decline will continue unless their habitats are restored and some species are reintroduced. So warns the chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper, referring to a recent list of endangered animals issued by the Mammal Society, and approved by the United Nations....

Has your boss ever tried to get you to do something that is against your Christian faith?  If so, here are some saints for you.   They chose to make a Christian ‘stand’ at work, even though it really irritated their boss. Claudius, Nicostratus, Simpronian and Castorius were simple stonemasons in early 4th century Rome.  They...

This year we’ve been remembering the Battle of Britain, described by Winston Churchill in August 1940 as ‘one of the decisive battles of the war… never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’ It was a dramatic turning point in the history of the Second World...

A new service providing vital support for survivors of church-related abuse has recently become operational. Safe Spaces, commissioned by the Anglican and Catholic Churches in England and Wales, is to be run by Victim Support, a national charity with a track record of providing survivor support. Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service,...

It seems that most of us have bought just four from our supermarket in the last year, which is a drop of 95 per cent since the 5p charge was introduced five years ago. The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs reports that prior to 2015, most shoppers were buying 140 single-use bags a...

Many dogs have struggled to adjust to the changes that Covid-19 has brought to their owners this year, according to the Dogs Trust. For one thing, coronavirus has meant greatly reduced walkies for many dogs, more people around the house all day, less quiet for rest, and little or no contact with other dogs.  No...

‘I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord. Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.’(Psalm 122:1,2). These words from Psalm 122 inspired Hubert Parry’s great Coronation Anthem ‘I was Glad.’ As a Song of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), it was used by pilgrims going to the...

As I write this, the majority of churches (in the UK) are holding services again in their church buildings or wherever they normally worship together. But things are looking somewhat different. In my local church you need to ring a Churchwarden to book a place to come to Sunday or mid-week worship. So far, no-one’s...

How do you think of Jesus? As the Lord of lords in glory? Or as a human baby soon to be born in Bethlehem? November brings the glorious climax of the church year with the Sunday of Christ the King at the end of November – only to begin a new ‘year’ a week later,...

In the Shadow of the Shahs – Finding Unexpected Grace Where Do I Come From?  What Good is God? – Crises, faith and resilience But Where Are You Really From? – on Identity, Humanhood and Hope Closing Ranks – my Life as a Cop Frequencies of God – Walking Through Advent with R S Thomas...

Stipendiary clergy, along with some retired and self-supporting ministers, are being encouraged to take part in a confidential listening exercise designed to help inform a review of the clergy remuneration package. All stipendiary clergy have been issued with a questionnaire asking for their views on the remuneration package, as part of the Clergy Remuneration Review,...