Do you ever get that feeling as you approach 6 January? The one which is part relief that ‘Christmas’ (which started in October with the shops putting up decorations) is finally over? But which is also part sadness that, with the decorations being put away, the reality of normal life and routine is …
An introduction to the 2021 elections
There are elections happening across England, Wales and Scotland on Thursday 6 May. What are the Churches doing? In terms of the number of eligible voters it will be the biggest expression of democratic opinion outside a UK General Election. However, the elections happening in …
Should the Government break the law? Scottish Churches say it would be disastrous
David Bradwell of the Church of Scotland offers an insight into why Scottish Churches are so concerned about the Internal Market Bill. Yesterday Scottish Church leaders wrote a joint letter to Scottish MPs and Peers on the UK Internal Market Bill expressing four major concerns about the …
What would be in a Welcome Manifesto from your church?
Today, 18 December, is the UN International Migrants Day. If you are not a migrant but part of a community or society that is receiving migrants, it is a day to think about offering a hand of welcome and friendship. If you are a migrant yourself, it is a day to think about your experiences of …
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 …
The Scottish Referendum debate – it’s transforming politics
With over four months still to go to the referendum on Scottish independence, you might be forgiven for thinking that people have had enough of it. It’s true that since the SNP landslide in 2011 there has been a bit of a ‘neverendum’, with the question overhanging everything relating to public …