Why the church needs a new foreign policy

by | Mar 21, 2008

The United States and the United Kingdom are being required this month – March 2008 – to reflect on the recent heritage of their military interventions, most notably in Iraq (where the chaos and death seems to have no end) and in the north of Ireland...

Faith, grief and adjusting to death

by | Mar 21, 2008

Christian and Hebrew Scriptures say that loss and grief are universal human experiences and psychologists tell us that the process of mourning is often prolonged, painful, and emotionally complex. Ecclesiastes reminds us that grief comes to everyone: “There is a time...

A Methodist who keeps order in parliament

by | Mar 1, 2008

Leading British Methodist Ruby Beech’s “day job” is a position that dates back to at least the 15th century. As an assistant sergeant at arms in the UK Parliament, she helps look after the security and administration of the House of Commons. When...

Giving up Establishment for Lent

by | Feb 17, 2008

One of the things about being in a position of privilege over many, many years is not just that you take it for granted, but that it seems perfectly and inviolably “natural”. Indeed having your position at the top table questioned feels like an affront to...