Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

Odran is a suitable saint to remember as Halloween approaches, for his story involves the spirit world. British by birth, Odran (died c. 563) was one of Columba’s first companions on Iona.  Sadly, he died not long after his arrival on the island.  But Columba found comfort, for in a vision he saw Odran’s soul...

Jude the apostle and martyr (1st century) warns us in his epistle that not all ‘evil’ comes in the form of obvious ghosties and ghoulies.  He writes instead to warn the Christians of the greater danger of people who infect others with heresy and moral failure.  He writes that they are nothing more than …. ...

If you have done your best to live ‘right’, and still had nothing but trouble and heartache in your life, Alphonsus is the saint for you.   He was born in 1533, the son of a wool merchant in Segovia.  He followed his father into the profession, married, and had two children.   He was a responsible...

Asia Bibi calls for blasphemy reform Animal Welfare Sunday – 6th October Christians now under threat in 143 countries A new centre for Pioneer Mission in Cumbria There’s nothing like a natural disaster to wake people up to their need for God. Spring Harvest Local – coming near you! The Algerian church needs our help...

Bishops issue open letter on Brexit Grant awarded for research into Messy Churches Christians have taken action to promote biodiversity for Season of Creation 2019 Amazon Rainforest fires Marriage registration changes on the way! Sports ministry receives boost from Church of England Islamist extremists attack Boga ** Editor:  A group of Bishops has issued an...

Modern Halloween celebrations have their roots with the Celtic peoples of pre-Christian times. In those long-ago days, on the last night of October, the Celts celebrated the Festival of Samhain, or ‘Summer’s End’.  The priests, or Druids, performed ceremonies to thank and honour the sun.  For there was a very dark side to all this:...

Asia Bibi, the Christian who spent eight years on death row in Pakistan on charges of blasphemy, has called for reform of the blasphemy laws. Giving an interview in Canada, for the first time since her release from prison, Bibi told the Sunday Telegraph: “I pray to God that everyone falsely implicated in blasphemy cases...

A group of Church of England bishops has issued an open letter on the prospect of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit and the need for national reconciliation, notwithstanding the potential prorogation of Parliament. The full text is as follows: The Archbishop of Canterbury has conditionally agreed to chair a Citizens Forum in Coventry and, without prejudice for any...

A new scheme, the ‘Animal Friendly Church’, has been launched by the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals (ASWA). In a similar way to the initiatives that encourage communities to become Fair Trade churches, the project recognises parishes and chaplaincies which operate as ‘Animal Friendly Churches’. It also gives an annual prize for an example of...

The Church of England is to fund new research to help deepen the faith of families and children attending ‘Messy Churches’ – non-traditional church gatherings that attract tens of thousands of worshippers across the country. A grant of £100,000 has been awarded to the Church of England’s Evangelism and Discipleship Team to study deepening the...

Christians face harassment in 143 countries, according to major new research. The latest Annual Pew Report uncovers a record increase in restrictions on religion imposed by many governments around the world. It also finds violence and harassment against religious groups are on the rise. Release International, which supports persecuted Christians around the world, has welcomed...

Church-goers across the world have been in wellies in recent weeks,  in order to clean local waterways, plant trees and promote wild areas in churchyards as part of a global initiative to encourage biodiversity and help stem the effects of climate change. From 1st September to 4th October Christians around the world, including from the...