Writing a Will: Let a preamble be your legacy, too I SHOULD have made a will 20 years ago. When I eventually got round to it, what shook me out of my complacency was the prospect of doing it theologically. By that, I don’t primarily mean leaving money for theological purposes (although there is so...

"A will is a public document. It allows us to lodge something in the public record which attests to the goodness of God and which bears witness to his grace."

In #UpdateYourWillWeek, Andrew Davison has some suggestions

#WillAndTestament

Interview with Philip Holmes: A calling to help vulnerable children in Nepal LIEUTENANT Colonel Philip Holmes had been married for ten years when he came home one lunchtime and found his wife, Esther Benjamis, dead in the hallway of their home in Aldershot. She had taken her own life. A Dutch lawyer, she had been appointed...

“A year that began in utter misery ended with hope"

Philip Holmes left the army to dedicate his time to helping vulnerable children, he tells Sarah Lothian. This article contains reference to suicide. For support visit samaritans.org

Church Times Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund: Can you help to nurture a vocation? OUR thanks to everyone who has donated to the Church Times Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund appeal this Lent. Donations so far have reached a total of £11,533.02, which will be added to a generous legacy received last year. In 2026, TAP will once again s...

If you haven’t already done so, may we encourage you to consider making a donation to the Church Times Train-a-Priest Fund appeal? Every penny that you can give will go to those in need of extra support as they prepare for ministry.

#trainapriest #vocations #ministry

Letters to the Editor Springtime for interim ministry From the Warden of Cranmer Hall, Durham, the Principal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon, and members of the Interim Ministry Practitioners’ Group Madam, — After a long, wet winter, spring is in the air at last. After a l...

"After a long, wet winter, spring is in the air at last. After a long wait, so, too, is training for interim ministers."

✉️ Read this week's Letters to the Editor ⬇️

#churchtimes #interimministry

‘Parents and guardians need to have conversations about dangers online; but, as in offline matters, young people need enough freedom to begin to face the world independently’ PARENTS used to worry that their children would come to harm outside the home: hit by a car on a busy road, lured into a stranger’s vehicle, or exposed to alcohol or recreational drugs. Nowadays, many are more exercised by online danger that is ne...

"Parents and guardians need to have conversations about dangers online; but, as in offline matters, young people need enough freedom to begin to face the world independently."

This week's Leader considers the Government's consultation on #socialmedia

Book review: Catholicism: End or beginning? by Mary Daly, edited by Meg Stapleton Smith THIS is a many-layered book, and so, as with an archaeological dig, the reader needs to engage both with process and content. At its heart lies an original manuscript, discarded incomplete and abandoned by the celebrated 20th-century North America...

"Her endorsement of radical feminism was total, and she became the flag-bearer and champion for a whole generation of young women and, indeed, men."

📚Lavinia Byrne reflects on an abandoned book by Mary Daly

#MaryDaly #Theology #Philosophy #Books

Lent series: Not winning but taking part Frodo and Gandalf — All We Have to Decide Is. . .? J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Battle of Maldon YOU would not be alone in thinking that we are living at a moment when things seem to be in the balance, perhaps tipping in ...

"One of the greatest fears of a parent is our country going to war and adult children being sent off to fight. . . It once might have seemed far off; now it doesn’t feel unimaginable."

We continue our #Lent series based on the works of the #Inklings

#Tolkien #Gandalf #TheFellowshipOfTheRing

Viewpoint with Andrew Brown: Electors vote for postures — not for policies AT THE last General Election, I decided that I had spent far too much time writing about politics and not nearly enough discovering how it’s done; so, I decided to do some canvassing for whichever party had the best chance of kicking out the local...

"The obvious example in contemporary British politics is being tough on immigration — a posture that is almost impossible to translate into policies that are both workable and sensible, let alone just"

Read the latest Viewpoint from @seatrout.bsky.social ⬇️

Russian Orthodox leader calls on Russia to ‘go further’ in war with Ukraine A SENIOR Russian Orthodox Church leader, Metropolitan Kirill (Pokrovsky) of Stavropol, has called for Russia to occupy more Ukrainian territory, as the war enters its fifth year. In an interview last week with the Russian Orthodox Church’s TV chan...

A senior #RussianOrthodoxChurch leader, Metropolitan Kirill (Pokrovsky) of Stavropol, has called for #Russia to occupy more #Ukrainian territory, as the war enters its fifth year.

New Dean for Berkeley Divinity School, Yale THE next Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School,... New Dean for Berkeley Divinity School, Yale THE next Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School, at Yale, is to be the Revd Dr Gabrielle Thomas, who will also serve as Associate Dean of Yale Divinity School, from 1 July. Dr Thomas, who was ord...

The next Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School, at Yale, is to be the Revd Dr Gabrielle Thomas, who will also serve as Associate Dean of Yale Divinity School, from 1 July.

Read more world news in brief ⬇️

French bishops urge opponents to resist assisted dying after Bill is passed THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of France has urged opponents in the country’s legislature to continue to resist the introduction of assisted dying, after a Bill to legalise it was passed again last week in the Lower House, the National Assembly....

The #Catholic Bishops’ Conference of #France has urged opponents in the country’s legislature to continue to resist the introduction of #assisteddying, after a Bill to legalise it was passed again last week in the Lower House, the National Assembly.

Paul Vallely: Iran bombing wreaks chaos in the Middle East AYATOLLAH Ali Khamenei was prepared for death. He was aged 86 and had nominated his successor. It wasn’t the only plan that he and his Islamic elite had put in place — as Tehran has shown in its response to President Trump’s thousand-plus attacks ...

"President Trump has let an evil genie out of the bottle. There is no telling what damage it may wreak."

Trump’s attacks show the US being led by #Israel, argues Paul Vallely

#Iran #MiddleEastConflict #Trump

Cornish church bells ringing again after £30,000 refurbishment THE bells of St Sampson’s, South Hill, in Cornwall, silent for more than 50 years, are ringing once again, after £30,000 was raised to refurbish them. The five listed bells, four dating from 1698 and one from 1831, were dismantled and taken down f...

The bells of St Sampson’s, South Hill, in Cornwall, silent for more than 50 years, are ringing once again, after £30,000 was raised to refurbish them 🔔

Church Times Festival of Preaching returns TICKETS are now on sale for the next Church Times Festival of Preaching, which takes place from 13 to 15 September in Cambridge. The festival offers a stimulating and varied programme of worship, lectures and workshops designed to help preachers t...

Tickets are now on sale for the next Church Times Festival of Preaching, which takes place from 13 to 15 September in Cambridge

Speakers include Nadia Bolz-Weber, Sam Wells, Selina Stone, @deanoakley.bsky.social, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Isabelle Hamley, Nadim Nassar.

More info ⬇️

#Sermon #Preaching

Among the snippets this week Bishop of Newcastle welcomes kinship carers scheme and Prayer Book Society names new chief executive Quakers reissue 1666 pamphlet in honour of Mullally THE Quakers are marking the appointment of the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury by reissuing an updated edition of Professor Paul Anderson’s modern-English version of what is considered the f...

The #Quakers are marking the appointment of the first woman #ArchbishopofCanterbury by reissuing an updated edition of Professor Paul Anderson’s modern-English version of what is considered the first full-length treatment of women’s church leadership in English.

Read more UK news in brief ⬇️

Gafcon to be led by new Global Anglican Council including clergy, laity, and bishops Communiqué says it be will chaired by the Archbishop of Rwanda, Dr Laurent Mbanda, and replace the Primates Council set up in 2008

In a communiqué marking what, it says, is a “historic day for the Global Anglican Communion”, #Gafcon has announced that it has dissolved its Primates Council to replace it with a new Global Anglican Council, chaired by the Archbishop of Rwanda, Dr Laurent Mbanda

#churchnews #churchtimes

Aid cuts imperilled the fight against poverty WHEN times are tight, sacrifices are made. But the question that needs to be asked is: By whom? The Government’s decision to slash foreign aid (News, 28 February 2025), on the heels of the US government’s cuts a year ago, threatens essential servi...

"Decades of progress on global poverty are under threat."

Charities are working harder than ever to help the poorest of the world — but they need support, writes Patrick Watt @christianaiduk.bsky.social

#ChristianAid #Poverty #aidcuts #internationalaid

Peril in the Middle East IT BEGINS with a sound on your phone. The message reads: “Due to the detection of missile launches, alerts may be activated in your area.” Then you know that you must prepare. End whatever it is you are doing, and ensure that you are near a shelte...

"The planes flying overhead are not on practice runs, but are flying on or returning from a bombing mission, with the intention of killing people."

@sgcjerusalem.bsky.social writes from Jerusalem, where planes carrying bombs fly overhead

#MiddleEast #MiddleEastConflict #Iran

‘Peace is not for sale’ but requires justice and dignity, Church leaders write of Middle East war Anglican Communion, Lutheran World Federation, World Communion of Reformed Churches, and World Methodist Council issue joint statement

Four global Church networks, representing hundreds of millions of Christians, have issued a joint call for peace in the #MiddleEast as the conflict continues. The death toll across the region is reported to have reached at least 1100 people

#churchnews #churchtimes

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#churchtimes #churchnews #comment #ChurchOfEngland #Iran #UnitedStates #Israel #MiddleEast #MartynSnow #NigelFarage #ReformUK #NicholasMynheer #glass #glassdesign

Also in the paper:

• #Comment - Peril in the #MiddleEast: Richard Sewell writes from #Jerusalem
• #Interview - Philip Holmes on his calling to help vulnerable children in Nepal 🙏
• #Review - Jonathan Evens sees Nicholas Mynheer's A Season of Sanctuary @portsmouthcathedral.org.uk 🎨

The latest issue of the Church Times is out today 🗞️

In the news: Church leaders have condemned as unjust and potentially illegal the war spreading in the region.

And the Bishop of Leicester has responded to criticisms of the Church made by the leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage.

Boys’ Brigade and YoungMinds partner up to support mental health THE Boys’ Brigade has announced a partnership with the UK charity YoungMinds to ensure that “churches are equipped with professional mental-health resources to best support young people when they need it most”. The partnership, until the end of th...

The Boys’ Brigade has announced a partnership with the UK charity YoungMinds to ensure that “churches are equipped with professional mental-health resources to best support young people when they need it most”.

#BoysBrigade #mentalhealth

Malcolm Guite: Poet’s Corner March month of “many weathers” wildly comes In hail and snow and rain and threatning hums And floods. . . JOHN CLARE, that close observer and celebrant of the seasons, is, as always, right. The past week or two have, indeed, seen many weathers w...

"Clare’s account of the turn of the year in The Shepherd’s Calendar is as much about the life of ordinary labourers in the fields as it is about nature herself."

@malcolmguite.bsky.social turns to John Clare, who notices the unnoticed

#MalcolmGuite #PoetsCorner #JohnClare #Poetry

BBC religious broadcasting ‘poor and underfunded’ Archbishop of York says RELIGIOUS broadcasting is increasingly becoming “the poor and underfunded relative in a BBC which, I believe, needs to be reminded of its core business”, the Archbishop of York has said. Speaking on Tuesday during a Religion Media Centre briefing ...

Religious broadcasting is increasingly becoming “the poor and underfunded relative in a #BBC which, I believe, needs to be reminded of its core business”, the #ArchbishopofYork has said

#religiousprogramming #churchnews #churchtimes

Bishop of Norwich supports Bill to protect rare chalk streams THE Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, has backed a Bill requiring the Secretary of State to take the necessary steps for Britain’s chalk streams to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and recognised and protected as among the rarest...

The #BishopofNorwich has backed a Bill requiring the Secretary of State to take the necessary steps for Britain’s #chalkstreams to be awarded #UNESCO World Heritage status and recognised and protected as among the rarest habitats in the world

Bishop of Manchester to retire in July 2027 THE Bishop of Manchester since 2013, Dr David Walker, has announced that he will retire at the end of July 2027, two months after his 70th birthday. In a pastoral letter to clergy, lay leaders, and congregations across his diocese, on Wednesday, h...

The #BishopofManchester since 2013, Dr David Walker, has announced that he will retire at the end of July 2027, two months after his 70th birthday

#retirement #bishops #churchtimes #churchnews

Children and the elderly are suffering in Lebanon, humanitarian agencies warn CHILDREN are “bearing the brunt” of escalating violence in Lebanon, UNICEF warned on Tuesday. In the past 24 hours, almost 60,000 people — including 18,000 children — had been newly displaced, adding to the tens of thousands who had already fled t...

Children and the elderly are suffering in Lebanon, humanitarian agencies warn

Some 60,000 people are displaced owing to raids in 24 hours. Karagheusian medical centre in Beirut is supporting children and pregnant women in need of primary care

#lebanon

Immigration deserves ‘honest public debate’ not ‘dehumanising rhetoric’ says Bishop of Leicester CONCERNS about immigration and border policy deserve “honest and constructive public debate”, and “rhetoric that dehumanises vulnerable people fleeing violence or persecution” must be challenged, the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, s...

Concerns about #immigration and border policy deserve “honest and constructive public debate”, and “rhetoric that dehumanises vulnerable people fleeing violence or persecution” must be challenged, the Bishop of Leicester has said

#ReformUK #churchnews

Book review: God Beyond Gender: Crafting inclusive liturgy by Mary Kells WHEN the first Common Worship material was trialled, it revealed creative variety, but only a limited attempt at linguistic inclusivity. Consequently, even with the wide range of alternatives presented, it is often a struggle to provide liturgies ...

"God Beyond Gender is a welcome and imaginative resource that ignites a shift in our understanding of how practitioners might unleash bold, sensitive, and more generous choices in their liturgical language" 📚

Richard Greatrex #reviews God Beyond Gender: Crafting inclusive liturgy by Mary Kells ✍️