Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

Newlyweds today are more likely to stay married than their parent were. It seems that young couples are taking the commitment more seriously than did their parents, with only 35 per cent likely to divorce, as opposed to 44 per cent in 1986. The Office of National Statistics reports that couples who married in 1963...

Raymond Nonnatus (1204 – 40) is a good patron saint for anyone who does not take life for granted. The account of his own life begins with the story of how his mother died just before his birth, and of how Raymond was somehow extracted from her dead body just in time to save him.(‘Nonnatus’...

By David Hoyle, Canterbury Press, £14.99 Using the pattern of the church year, this book looks at the building blocks of Christian theology, and what each one means for how we live.   The book covers God as ruler and judge (Advent), the incarnation (Christmas), forgiveness, (Ash Wednesday), Redemption (Good Friday), Resurrection (Easter), the Holy Spirit...

How do you help those with disabilities to feel included in local church life?  With a reported 99 per cent of all churches having a disabled person in the congregation, it is not an idle question. Now the charity Livability has issued some guidelines for the best way to get started.  ‘Recognise this will be...

Men of a certain age are better map readers than women of a certain age, because they were given Lego to play with when they were young.  Playing Lego and other traditional boys’ toys encouraged their spatial awareness, as opposed to playing with Barbies. Such is the verdict of Gina Rippon, a professor of cognitive...

Churches and cathedrals will be able to bid for a share of a £100-million pot of National Lottery funding for large-scale heritage projects over the next three years.  And the grants are not just aimed at restoration schemes, but also ideas that benefit communities. The bids will need to demonstrate ‘real ambition to deliver positive...

– wrestling honestly with the Old Testament By Helen Paynter, Authentic Books, £9.99If you find the violence in the Old Testament a problem, this book may be helpful.  Helen Paynter faces the tough questions head-on and offers a fresh, accessible approach to a significant issue. For all those seeking to engage with the Bible and...

Britain’s favourite traditional foods, according to a recent YouGov survey, are Yorkshire pudding, Sunday roast, fish and chips, crumpets, a full English breakfast and bacon sandwiches. Our least favourite are jellied eels, haggis and laverbread (a Welsh dish of seaweed). The results provoked some outcry.  Several Scottish people were upset at the low ranking given...

The Church of England’s lead bishop on the environment has welcomed the news that the Government has set a stricter target on climate change. The Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury said: ”The UK can be proud to be setting an example by making this commitment to address the global climate emergency.  But commitment...

One of the most famous stories about Jesus is the calming of the storm (Luke 8:22-25). Of course, anyone could say that the wind stopped suddenly of its own accord, but the disciples were not fooled. They had seen a number of these ‘coincidences’ in Jesus’ ministry, and they weren’t about to ignore this one....

By Julia Golding & others, Lion Children, £5.99  Join Harriet, Darwin’s pet tortoise, and Milton, Schrodinger’s indecisive cat on a time-travelling quest of discovery, unravelling scientific exploration and religious beliefs and how they fit together. How did the universe start? Is there a God behind it all?  Take to the skies in this adventure and...

Going on holiday this month? Here is a quick check-list before you go Make sure all your doors, windows, sheds and garage are securely locked (with no neighbour’s cats inside). Make your home look occupied – mow the lawn before you go, leave a spare key with a neighbour who will pop in to turn...