Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

“In the US you have to be religious to be elected, in the UK you increasingly have to pretend not to be.”  So says Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator. In a recent newspaper article* he pointed out in the UK, “an MP is quite at liberty to talk about their faith, but they ought...

Church of England bishops have welcomed the recent publication of a Government White Paper, including plans to impose substantial fines against social media companies that breach their duty of care towards the vulnerable. The Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek, who in 2016 launched a campaign (#liedentity) to encourage a safer online environment, said: “The new...

It was: 200 years ago, on 12th June 1819 that Charles Kingsley, British clergyman and writer was born.  Best known for his historical novels Hypatia, Westward Ho! And Hereward the Wake. 175 years ago, on 6th June 1844 that the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) was founded in London. 125 years ago, on 18th June...

A new online poll has revealed the top five problems facing the UK’s church buildings. In the poll, run on the National Churches Trust’s website, people were asked to identify what they thought was the biggest problem facing the UK’s church buildings. The top problems were identified as: Not enough money available for repairs – (identified...

There is brutal persecution of Christians today in many parts of the world. To them the prayer of a man who died nearly 18 centuries ago would be very relevant…. Cyprian of Carthage was martyred during the terrible persecutions of the Roman Empire in 258. We believe and trust, Lord, that at the time of...

What do you call the church service where Jesus’ last meal with His apostles is re-enacted? And does it matter what we call it? The word ‘Eucharist’ comes from the Greek word eucharistia, which is itself a translation of the Hebrew word berekah. All three words have the meaning of thanksgiving, or praise for the...

The Tank Man of Tiananmen Square in Beijing made world headlines – and became an iconic image of the twentieth century – 30 years ago, on 5th June 1989, when he temporarily halted a column of tanks by standing in front of them on the morning after a massacre in the square. Widespread protests in China...

The UK now has more churches than pubs, according to new data published by the National Churches Trust.

There are around 39,000 pubs in the UK, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics, with more than 11,000 pubs having closed in the UK in the last decade – a fall of almost...

The eye of God with thee to dwell, The foot of Christ to guide thee well, The Spirit’s pouring shower to swell Thy rich and gen’rous fountain-well.   From Poems of the Western Highlanders

D-Day took place 75 years ago, on 6th June 1944, when over 150,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. The Battle of Normandy ended on 25th August with victory for the Allies. It began the liberation of France – and eventually Europe – from Nazi control, and laid the foundations of victory on...

Recently I asked a group of about 30 people, the youngest 36, the oldest 90, what would we be commemorating on June 6th?  No one knew, though after a bit of prompting some of the older ones said D-Day. To be fair, most of them weren’t even alive, or were small children when that great...

Wanting God more clearly, dearly and nearly Ever wonder where the prayer … ‘May I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, day by day’ comes from?  Richard of Chichester, a bishop in the 13th century, wrote it. He began life as Richard de Wych of Droitwich, the son...