Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

25 years ago, on 11th September 2001, the terrorist attacks on America took place. Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York, into the Pentagon, and into a field in Pennsylvania (following a passenger revolt – the intended target was Washington DC). 2,973 people were...

On this, the  anniversary of the Twin Towers, we remember two innocent people who also met their death in the flames of mindless violence.  These were Roman martyrs mentioned in the 4th century list of martyrs.  Hyacinth’s tomb was discovered in the cemetery of Basilla, with his name and the date of his burial (11th...

St Deiniol was a 6th century monk of Wales who came to be the ‘first bishop of Bangor’.  And a mighty bishop he was, too: Deiniol founded the two monasteries of Bangor Fawr (on the Menai Straits) and Bangor Iscoed (Clwyd), which, according to Bede, became the most famous monastery of British Christianity and came...

John Chrysostom (347 – 407) is the saint for anyone who applies their Christianity to public life, and also for anyone who hates travelling in bad weather.  Chrysostom did both, and had trouble both times. Born into a wealthy home in Antioch, John Chrysostom studied both oratory and law.  In 373 he became a monk,...

On Holy Cross Day the Church celebrates the Cross as a symbol of triumph, as the sign of Christ’s victory over death.   Holy Cross Day goes right back to 14 September 335, and we have the mother of a Roman Emperor to thank for it. Helena was a devout Christian, and after her son, Constantine,...

Teaching people to ‘tithe’ can be a delicate matter.  Some clergy teach ‘tithing’ well, and inspire their people to great generosity of spirit.   Other clergy teach ‘tithing’ at least well enough, and get their people’s sluggish cooperation. But – there are clergy who teach ‘tithing’ badly – and then, watch out!   St Adam (bishop 1213...

Cyprian is the saint for anyone who has given up a successful career in order to serve God in a difficult Christian ministry. For, before he became a Christian, Cyprian ‘had it all’. He was a renowned Orator of Carthage, teaching rhetoric and advocacy. But then, in AD 245, when he was in his mid...

Ninian was a Celt who was born about 360, in southern Scotland.  He was remarkable for two things:  he was almost certainly the first man in Scotland to live in a little white stone house, and also the first to preach the gospel to the Scots.   Just as remarkable:  becoming the apostle to the Picts...

Saint Matthew From the Vicar 25th Anniversary of 9/11 What’s the Big Idea? – an Introduction to the Book of Daniel Samuel: Loyal to God Reflected Faith Series – The Peace The story behind the HYMN:  Jesus Thy Blood and Righteousness Clothed with Christ ** Editor:  by Canon Paul Hardingham   Saint Matthew – called...

Practical help for churches in learning how they can best use AI AI Guidelines for Churches Government consultation on weddings proposes greater flexibility and cheaper options Football ministry programme kicks off Pilgrims step out to mark 800 years since death of St Francis of Assisi New pilgrimage route for Conwy Valley Stewardship reports highest income...

Have you ever sinned since you became a Christian?  Really sinned – or in other words done something that was SO wrong and totally ‘out of line’ with being a Christian that you are still ashamed when you think of it now.  If so, and if you went on to ask God’s forgiveness for it,...

 AI is seeping into church life all over the country. But it is happening without informed conversation about how best to use it, when to avoid it, and where it could lead. With this danger in mind, a new resource has been launched, in order to “help churches of all denominations use AI thoughtfully, faithfully,...