Martin explored the theological, environmental and community challenges which the pandemic is raising in our own country and across the world. He stresses the importance of joining together as faiths to practically respond to the social and economic challenges, within an anxious and ever-changing environment.
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Listen to this new song by John Bell from the Iona Community which sums up all our hopes for the future.
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By: Revd Dr Catherine Okoronkwo
Archbishop Welby has produced a useful video explaining the church policy on the closure of our Church buildings.
The appalling death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests have brought the issues of racism, oppression, inequality and injustice once again into the spotlight, where they should be. These are issues that the Diocese of Bristol, like many organisations, has been aware of, discussed and attempted to address. However, while we have taken some positive steps, it is clear that we have not done enough.
The protests in Bristol yesterday and the destruction of the statue of Edward Colston mark a moment in the city’s history. As Bishop of Bristol I will now act with a renewed sense of urgency and determination to:
This work won’t be easy but we must be relentless in our commitment to bringing about change.
What is KIT? It might just be a regular phone call to check in on how our friends are. It could be offering help with practical things like shopping, IT support or other needs. We are a community of friends who are intent on finding hope in these difficult times by connecting with and supporting each other.
Chris Smith, one of our of volunteers, gave an excellent radio interview on Swindon 105.5 Community radio.
Alistair Senior is one of our friends, son of Christine and Gervin Senior. He was inspired to record this poem and has shared it with us.
Will is a student worker at the Anchor church in Birmingham and recently did a reflection on Solitude and wilderness.
At this time of change, we pray to you.
For the people of this country, we pray to you.
For the people of the European Union, we pray to you.
For the people of the world, we pray to you.
For the future health of our planet, we pray to you.
For our elected representatives, we pray to you.
For those who are joyful, we pray to you.
For those who are scared, we pray to you.
For the hungry, for the thirsty, for the stranger, we pray to you.
For the naked, for the sick and for the prisoner, we pray to you.
And finally, we pray for ourselves, and all people of faith, that in your mercy your Holy Spirit would help us to be agents of your love.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen
A prayer from the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney
Rev Simon Stevenette spent a remarkable evening on health and wellbeing and discovering treasure in life’s scars last Thursday with Patrick Regan.
Kintsugi Hope is a charity based in the UK striving to make a difference to people’s mental wellbeing.
‘Kintsugi’ (金継ぎ) is a Japanese technique for repairing pottery with seams of gold. The word means ‘golden joinery’ in Japanese. This repairs the brokenness in a way that makes the object more beautiful, and even more unique than it was prior to being broken. Instead of hiding the scars it makes a feature of them.
They write ‘We want to see a world where mental and emotional health is understood and accepted, with safe and supportive communities for everyone to grow and flourish.’
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Churches across the UK will this weekend be singing a new praise song that “aims to build unity in our church and our nation post-Brexit”.
With Britain having left the European Union at 11pm yesterday, the singer-songwriter Andy Flanagan said that his song Reconciled (for Brexit and Beyond) would apply some balm to church communities left bitterly divided by the government’s protracted attempt to carry out the result of the in/out referendum in 2016.
Flanagan, who is also a director of Christians in Politics, helped to organise Brexit debates in Anglican, other Protestant and Catholic churches in 2019, but was shocked by some of the bitter arguments that ensued.
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