The response to COVID-19 has seen the government take unprecedented measures to strengthen the support available for those who need it. Changes have already been made to Statutory Sick Pay. The government have announced a job retention scheme, offering grant support for employers to retain employees …
Statement from Church Leaders ahead of 31st January 2020
On Friday 24th January, Church Leaders released a joint statement regarding the UK’s imminent exit from the European Union. This was accompanied by a letter from Church Leaders addressed to partner Churches and Church organisations in Europe. Statement from British Church leaders and …
What If…?
So often, we restrict our response to a situation before it even begins. Until 1969, to land on the moon was deemed impossible. Before 1953, it seemed unmanageable to climb Mount Everest. New Year’s resolutions are written off before they’re attempted. Exercise plans are tucked away in fear that …
2020 Vision
Many of us will have just returned back to work after the Christmas break, hopefully well-rested and feeling ready for the new calendar year. Many of us will have used holiday time to reflect, and many of us will have spent time thinking ahead and anticipating what this next year might …
Week Four: Room for All
The Beginning "They couldn’t believe what they had seen. Nothing ever happened to them – their life was just the hillside, sheep and more sheep. But today! Today they had seen a miracle. In all their days counting sheep, the Shepherds had never imagined that they might feel the way they had …
Week Three: Home
Ellie's Story "My name is Ellie and I’ve been homeless for a few months now. It’s tough out here, and for a woman, it’s dangerous too. For 15 years, I had a house, where I lived with my three children. Now, I get shelter where I can or sleep on the streets, and my children aren’t with me …
Churches hosting hustings: a good opportunity?
In a guest blog, Rev Bryan Kerr explores his experience of leading hustings events during elections. It was during an interview, as Tony Blair was answering a question on his faith, that his former director of strategy and communications Alastair Campbell, interrupted and quipped, “We don’t …
Week One: Unlikely Messengers
Jackie's Story "In my teens, estranged from my family, I lived in a flat for young homeless people. The heating system was inadequate, the flat was damp and in the winter sheets of ice would form on the inside of the metal framed windows. I had so little money I often skipped meals and I …
Love Pray Vote
As we approach a General Election on 12 December 2019, we’re inviting you to Love, Pray, Vote. But what does that look like? Love “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” John 15:12 Politics plays an important role in how our society is run. It helps to …
Church Leaders’ No Deal Letter to Prime Minister: Response
You will recall that Church leaders, and over 2000 supporters, signed a letter to the Prime Minister on 24 July asking that he publish evidence of how those who are most vulnerable will be protected in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It took over two months, but we have finally received a …