Fulcrum

TRADITIONALISTS in London have been urged to have confidence in their new Bishop, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, by the Bishop who supervises them, the Bishop of Fulham, the Rt Revd Jonathan Baker.

Church Times 23 December 2017

Inspired to stretch his own spiritual practice, Marek Zabriskie, a priest in the US-based Episcopal Church, decided to read the entire Bible in a year. Seven years later, what began as one man’s personal challenge has turned into a global movement with thousands of people participating.

ACNS. 21 December 2017

The Iraqi Ministry of Culture has honoured the Chaplain of St George’s Church, Baghdad, the Revd Faiz Jerjes, as one of the country’s Distinguished Personalities of the Year for his role in supporting human rights work in the country.

ACNS. 21 December 2017

Faith organisations have welcomed a report that says the BBC should increase its coverage of religious issues, amid concerns that some of the report’s findings are “bizarre” in an increasingly secular society.

Harriet Sherwood. Guardian. 20 December 2017

The Church of England has welcomed a Government-commissioned report calling for measures to promote the upkeep and community use of church buildings.

Church of England website. 20 December 2017

This reflection was originally presented during morning prayers in the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre, on 18 December 2017.

I sometimes ask people if they know which is the first point in the Bible that Bethlehem gets a mention. And that normally offers them quite a challenge.

Clare Amos. WCC. 18 December 2017

CHRISTIANITY could be wiped out in certain regions a leading Archbishop has warned as Prince Charles said the plight of families forced to flee their homes was "heartbreaking".

Simon Osborne. Daily Express. 20 December 2017

The BBC is set to increase its coverage of religions after a year-long review found that people of all faiths were “often absent, poorly presented or satirised”, according to reports.

Nicola Slawson. Guardian. 20 December 2017

For centuries, renewal movements have emerged within Christianity and taken on different forms and names. Often, they have invoked the word “evangelical.” Followers of Martin Luther, who emphasized the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, described themselves in this way. The Cambridge clergyman Charles Simeon, who led the Low Church renewal movement within the Church of England, adopted the label.

Tim Keller. New Yorker 19 December 2017

In a guest post, Dr Michael Arnheim, Barrister at Law and Sometime Fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge, offers another view of Lee v McArthur & Ors  [2016] N1CA 29 and the forthcoming appeal.

Michael Arnheim, “Lee v McArthur: the Gay Wedding Cake revisited” in Law & Religion UK, 18 December 2017

The Moderator of the Church of Pakistan, Bishop Humphrey Peters, is to visit the Christian community in Quetta after terrorists killed nine people attending a pre-Christmas service. The terror group Daesh has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Bethel Memorial Church in the Pakistan province of Balochistan.

ACNS 18 December 2017

I have to admit that I am both delighted and slightly terrified at being nominated to the See of London. I have lived and worked for over 32 years in London (although I have to confess for some of that it was south of the river so I hope you will forgive me). So returning to London is for me returning home.

Diocese of London website. 18 December 2017

THE next Bishop of London will be the Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, Downing Street has announced.

Hattie Williams and Tim Wyatt. Church Times. 18 December 2017

Bishop of Crediton appointed 133rd bishop of London in move that will dismay conservatives in Church of England

Harriet Sherwood. Guardian 18 December 2017

George Carey says it is ‘shocking’ that his successor asked him to quit honorary post over role in sexual abuse case

Harriet Sherwood. Guardian. 17 December 2017

THE woman at the centre of a Church sex scandal said yesterday: “It did happen.” She spoke out after a review found the Church had not investigated her claims properly – and her alleged abuser’s reputation had been wrongfuly damaged.

Joel Adams The Argus. 15 December 2017

A bishop who called for celebration services for same-sex couples is favourite to be named the next Bishop of London in the coming days, Christian Today can reveal. The current Bishop of Chelmsford, Stephen Cottrell, is rated 2/1 to take the third most senior post in the Church of England after the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

Hary Farley. Christian Today 15 December 2017

God with us from our beginning,
Sheltered in our mother's womb.
God with us through birth and childhood,
Sharing happiness and gloom.
Word of God through whom was fashioned
All that is and e'er shall be
Has stooped down from heaven's glory
To become like you and me.

God with us in all our darkness,
Tempted, tested day by day.
God with us in all our weakness,
Weeping tears along the way.
God's true image now embodied,
Living in our world of sin,
Gives us light and strength and healing
As he brings God's kingdom in.

God with us when death encroaches,
Pleading for this cup to pass.
God with us when life expires,
Crucified, he breathes his last.
Living God who lies united
To a breathless human shell,
So that at our grave we're rescued
From the powers of death and hell.

God with us through all life's journey,
Presence nothing can destroy.
God with us from start to finish,
Christ our comfort, hope and joy.
Jesus, risen Lord and Saviour,
We now trust all shall be well
As you never will forsake us
For you are Emmanuel.

As 8 7. 8 7.D this can be sung to various well-known tunes with Blanwaern perhaps working best.

Lord, you left your heavenly glory is an earlier hymn for Christmas published on Fulcrum in 2008.

Oxford students have branded, NIgel Biggar, an eminent professor ‘bigoted’ after he suggested feelings of guilt around British colonialism may have gone too far.

Eleanor Harding. Daily Mail Online. 15 December 2017

The Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) will hold its first ordination service led by the newly consecrated Missionary Bishop, Andy Lines.

Tola Mbakwe. 3 November. Premier