We are all connected The events of the past six months have been truly shocking, haven’t they? It has sometimes felt that we have only just caught our breath from the last disaster, and then the news breaks, and it all starts over again. I can’t recall another time in my life when I have woken …
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Prayers for Grenfell Tower
In response to the tragic Grenfell Tower fire disaster that occurred, here are a few of the prayers and statements made by our Churches: The moderators of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, Kevin Watson and Alan Yates, offer a prayer following the Grenfell Tower fire disaster We pray …
The beginning of the end for nuclear weapons
Today, representatives of the majority of the world’s nations will gather in New York to negotiate the text of a new “Convention on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons” (commonly known as the Nuclear Ban Treaty). The Nuclear Ban Treaty has been demanded by millions of citizens across the world. …
The implications of Donald Trump’s rejection of the Paris climate deal
Yesterday President Trump isolated his Government from the rest of the world on climate change. Donald Trump’s reasoning for his action on Paris is clear; he does not believe that the agreement is good for American business. In terms of near-term profitability he may be right, although there are …
This is a Time… Good Government?
Much is Much is being said about the need for strong Government and strong leadership. What do these ideas mean for us? Whilst a strong Government may be desirable or even necessary, there are models around the world which rightly attract widespread condemnation. A “strong” Government is not in and …
Prayers for Manchester
Here we have compiled the prayers, statements and reflections from our Churches and Church Leaders for those affected by the horrific bombing at the Manchester Arena on the evening of May 22nd. From the Revd Phil Jump, Regional Minister for North Western Baptist Association North West Baptists …
This is a time… What (else) Matters?
Brexit is likely to be the dominant issue of this campaign, even though Article 50 has already been triggered and individual MPs will have little power to shape the eventual agreement. But there is a very real danger that Brexit becomes the only issue, and that other important concerns and …
This is a time… Disagreeing Well
What influences you? Sometimes we don’t even notice how ideas, events or opinions have an impact on what we believe or do. Media coverage can affect the way we see things. The tone of some political debates and headlines recently has been unpleasant and divisive, a trend which may continue as the …
Discernment in public issues at election times
The other day I was talking to a Catholic Priest friend of mine about secular politics and the role of the Church at election times. He was sharing something about the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola which resonated with me that might help us to avoid being co-opted unwittingly into …
Faith in Politics: the 2017 General Election
Every General Election presents an opportunity for citizens to participate critically and constructively in the democratic process. It may be a cliché to suggest that there has “never been so much at stake”, but there is an element of truth to this saying. We are living in an unprecedented political …