“I’ll help serve breakfast!” This week we are celebrating some of the stories of congregations from our churches who have taken up the challenge to meet their local MP. Each congregation was able to demonstrate their concerns for the local area, express their hopes and dreams, and invite …
Brexit, Populism and Universal Credit
“A willingness by politicians to say what they think the public want to hear, and a willingness by large parts of the public to believe what they are told by populist politicians, has led to a deterioration in our public discourse” Justice Secretary David Gauke, 3rd July 2019 In 2010 the …
Refugee Week – More than Welcome
What’s your idea of Heaven? A feast? A place where people of many languages live in harmony? Where tears are wiped away? Where problems fade and disappear? A place of welcome, peace and joy? Today I visited the Avenue Multicultural Centre (AMC) in Southampton, a weekly event for asylum …
Sanctuary Sunday
17–23 June is Refugee Week, and churches are encouraged to mark Sanctuary Sunday on 23 June. In a guest blog, Revd Inderjit Bhogal argues that welcoming outsiders should be core to Christian discipleship “In a world of hostility there is a counter-cultural gospel summons to practice …
The review into Christian persecution: but what about other faiths?
In December 2018, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office commissioned an independent review of the persecution of Christians around the world, with recommendations to follow about how the Government could respond more proactively and robustly. The timing of this seems particularly important: the United …
Flooding in Nabuna Village, Fiji
Julia Edwards writes from Nabuna Village, Fiji, as they respond to flooding risks increased by climate change. Naomi Navica-Soga, 37, is a lecturer at Tavua College and resident of Nabuna Village in Northern Vitilevu. She moved to Nabuna 16 years ago when she married and she now has five …
Universal Credit: what you won’t read in the DWP’s “Myth Busting” advertorials
Today there is a good news story about Universal Credit on the front page of newspapers. It is called “Universal Credit Uncovered” and despite the lack of branding it is advertising payed for by the Government to “Bust Myths” about Universal Credit. If you wish to feel happy and delude yourself that …
Turning up when it’s difficult
I have never approached the final few days of any election period without a clear idea in my head of how to vote. These European elections, taking place in such a particular and peculiar context, have proved challenging as we consider how we ought to engage. As Christians, how do we rise …
At last the Government is Rethinking Sanctions: Now let’s do it properly
This is a blog which contains joy and danger in equal measure. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has decided to stop imposing three year-long benefit sanctions as a punishment for not obeying the instructions of the Jobcentre. Such sanctions meant that people had no support for …
European Elections 2019
This European election is unlike any other. The UK Government and many others do not think the election should happen. It could even be cancelled before election day. The people elected may not ever take their seats and, if they do, they may not serve a full term. This election will take …