Fulcrum

The Church of England has issued the following Statement following a recent allegations made a pressure group; the Church’s statement stresses that the accusations against the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell are entirely without foundation.

David Pocklington, "CofE riposte on accusations against the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell" in Law & Religion UK, 18 December 2019

So the dust has settled, the result is clear, and the stalemate on leaving the EU has been unblocked. The debates continue to rattle around my various social media threads, and it is worth pausing and reflecting on the way that the result came about, and whether we are in a new political era—or not. Here are my observations about the election, and some reflection on what they mean for Christians and the church.

Ian Paul. Psephizo blog. 17 December 2019

What does a former Sunderland United FA Cup Squad player and a Church of England Vicar from Sunderland have in common? The answer is the use of Football to reach out to communities bringing the thrill of sport it’s values and a sense of belonging. This was the brainchild of The Revd Pouya Heidari himself an ex Iranian professional player who approached the Archbishops Council with an idea to form Church of England Clergy Football Teams.

Diocese of Durham website. 18 December 2019

Bishop of Chelmsford, who will take over from John Sentamu, popular for straight talking

Harriet Sherwood. Guardian 17 December 2019

Bishop Stephen, currently Bishop of Chelmsford, will succeed Dr John Sentamu who retires in June of next year. A renowned preacher, author and communicator, he will be the 98th occupant of the see of York

Church of England website. 17 December 2019

Many of the fine monuments to London’s golden age lie undervalued and underused. It’s time these brick and stone glories were brought back to life

Simon Jenkins Guradian 15 December 2019

Stormzy has said he feared the country was going to "slaughter" him when his Glastonbury Festival performance was hit by technical difficulties, but feels he was "saved by God".

Press Association on Premier. 15 December 2019

The carol tradition is like the Green Man of folk legend: when it seems to have died, you can be sure it’s about to spring back, more vigorous than ever.

Ivan Hewett. Daily Telegraph. 15 December 2019

In today’s Big Issue, Justin Welby writes that the past nine years have hit vulnerable people hardest

Ben Glaze. Daily Mirror. 16 December 2019

US President Donald Trump has appeared to admit that his knowledge of the Bible is lacking.The comments were made at a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Wednesday as he introduced US evangelical pastor Robert Jeffress to the stage.

Tola Mbakwe. 12 December 2019

Boris Johnson has hailed a political "earthquake" which saw Labour support crumble in its heartlands in the face of a Tory landslide.

Marcus Jones. Premier. 13 December 2019

When I heard that Abiy Ahmed Ali, prime minister of Ethiopia, had won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 I admit that my main reason for rejoicing was that he wasn't the bookies' favourite Greta Thunberg.

Campbell Campbell-Jack. Christian Today 11 December 2019

You have to shake hands and say “peace be with you” to someone you don’t know, which doesn’t feel very English.

Ian Hislop. New Stateman. 11 December 2019

A Christian broadcaster in the Middle East and North Africa said it has been catering its programming for viewers in Iran as the country suffers violent anti-government protests.

Tola Mbakwe. Premier. 11 December 2019

A SENSE of calm is sweeping across the county's classes as schools try to still an 'anxiety epidemic'.

Sophie Grubb. Oxford Mail. 10 December 2019

Jo Chamberlain has been appointed as the National Environment Officer for the Church of England, taking forward the strategy developed by the Environment Working Group. This is a new post reflecting the Archbishops’ Council’s focus on the environment as a theological and mission priority.

Church of England website. 10 December 2019

Inspired by the “Christmas film of the decade” Last Christmas, Ben Ryan reviews the film and the wider genre.

Ben Ryan Theos. 10 December 2019

In our post Churches, Minsters and Cathedrals, we considered the legal distinction between these designations of places of worship[ within the Church of England; this included a short review of the terms “greater/major church” and “festival church”. This was followed by 'Major Churches' and 'Festival Churches - 1'in which we gave further consideration to “Minsters” and examined the designation “Major Churches”; In this post was consider “Festival Churches”.

"“Major Churches” and “Festival Churches” – II" in Law & Religion UK, 9 December 2019

A manuscript written by Queen Elizabeth I has been discovered after lying unnoticed for more than a century. A literary historian from the University of East Anglia made the startling find in Lambeth Palace Library in London.

Rebecca Jones. BBC website 29 November 2019

Thirtyone:eight has been commissioned by Emmanuel Church Wimbledon to carry out an independent lessons learnt review following complaints of spiritual abuse against its former pastor Jonathan Fletcher

Christian Today 6 December 2019