Philip Barnes reflects on the nature of priesthood   One of the regular side-lines for Clerks-in-Holy-Orders is the counter signing of passport applications. The gift of Orders doesn’t just bring spiritual graces, but recognition from the state that you might [...]

Stephen Conway explores the example of St Luke   How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings happiness…   This evening, we celebrate St Luke, evangelist and patron of this [...]

Alexander Rayner on the ways city churches are cooperating in mission and ministry   If we are honest, none of us knew what to do at first. With hindsight some of the choices we made were sensible, others less so; [...]

The trustees of Forward in Faith are saddened to hear of the death this morning of Sister Mary Teresa SSM, sometime Reverend Mother of the Priory of Our Lady of Walsingham, a member of the first elected Forward in Faith [...]

Nicolas Stebbing CR asks whether we are in a time of disillusion or hope   “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream. “ (Amos 5: 24)   When I was about 14 I began [...]

Lent in Lockdown   Andy Hawes    The first lockdown began in Lent last year. Since then it has seemed (with a few respites) like one long Lent. It has been a year of restrictions, of imposed disciplines, of deprivation. [...]

Martin Warner turns to literature for inspiration   Charles Dickens has a sharp eye for detail and an ear for the sound of life in the criminal backstreets of 19th century London.  He relishes the drama of its small triumphs, [...]

Ian McCormack on the gift of priesthood   There was an article in The Spectator magazine a couple of weeks ago which described the traditional wine glass – with a long stem – as ‘the world’s most ludicrous object’. You [...]