It’s Holy Week
Holy Week (sometimes also known as Passion Week) is the time from Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday). It is the week during which Christians particularly remember the last week of Jesus’ life. It’s sometimes called the Passion Week because of the passion with which Jesus allowed Judas to betray Him, knowing that it would ultimately lead to Him dying for our sins. Holy Week is described in the below chapters and begins with the ‘triumphal entry’ on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9: Matthew chapters 21-27 Mark chapters 11-15… Read More
Mothering Sunday
Today marks Mothering Sunday – I hope you all remembered at least a phone call to or card for the mum or mother figure in your life. As with all holidays, mothers day is becoming more and more commercialised with lavish presents advertised and expensive cards, boxes of chocolates etc. being promoted as the thing every mum wants. But what are the origins of Mothers Day and how far have we deviated from the essence of it years on? The History The Mother Church During the 16th century, people in the UK… Read More
A Time For Reflection…
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 Most people love to get involved with Pancake day, because, lets face it, who doesn’t love a pancake, be it sweet or savoury. But what a lot of people don’t know is where this tradition stems from. Pancake day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the day before Ash Wednesday and therefore the beginning of Lent, which is sometimes referred to as “Shrovetide”. Observance of Shrove Tuesday can be traced… Read More
Love Is In The Air
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 Valentines day was on Monday which means depending on the schedules off those who celebrate it, this week is ‘love week’. For some of you reading this, you’re one sentence in and you’re already rolling your eyes, and I totally get it. Valentines is one of the most commercialised days of the year, created so the likes of Hallmark can make as much money as possible. And though I am a bit of a romantic at heart,… Read More
Why So Blue?
Monday 17th January 2022 is Blue Monday; supposedly the most depressing day of the year thanks to being over indulgent over the christmas period (eating, drinking and probably spending too much), the gloomy weather, and this year the ongoing pandemic. However is it really Blue Monday or is it just like any other wintery Monday? The idea of Blue Monday is a fairly recent one and was invented in 2004 by psychologist Cliff Arnall as a marketing ploy for Sky Travel, which wanted to boost business. His ‘formula’ included variables such as… Read More
New Year, New You?
We are used to the narrative peddled at us each year: the beginning of a new year should mean resolutions we can only really keep up for approximately 4 weeks before our enthusiasm wanes. It should also mean a healthier lifestyle: more veggies, more exercising and less of all of our vices like alcohol, smoking, chocolates etc. You can see it in the adverts for things like monthly food boxes, gym subscriptions and vegan products. And to a certain extent, I understand it; we all like to think we can achieve a… Read More
Why Christians Should Worry About Climate Change
You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.” Numbers 35:33-34 The green issue is becoming more and more prevalent, especially with the Earthshot Price and COP 26 happening this month…. Read More
Positive Politics: Large and Small
Last week we were proud to be part of the London Citizens Assembly, led by London Citizens, of which we are a member of our local Barking and Dagenham Citizens Chapter [find out more about who we are and what we’re fighting for here]. We were expecting powerful testimony from people affected by the issues we want to change and we definitely saw that. It was moving hearing the creativity one mum has needed to employ just to survive in the housing she is stuck in – turning patches of mould on… Read More
London for All
Tonight we’re joining the London Citizens Assembly, organised by London Citizens (Citizens UK) to present our manifesto for change to the Labour and Conservative candidates for London Mayor. It is a moment which thousands of London citizens have been building up to. Citizens UK is made up of hundreds of member organisations who have democratically agreed 5 priority areas for change that we want to see the next London Mayor commit to address. As a Church we are a member of Barking Dagenham Citizens and this is our first assembly – which… Read More
His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh
Buckingham Palace has announced that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has sadly died. An online book of condolence is available on the Church of England website here. Bishop Guli and Bishop Peter have both shared their condolences. “I am very sorry to learn about the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. We pray for Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Family, the Commonwealth and the Nation and we give thanks for The Duke of Edinburgh’s extraordinary life of duty and dedication.” Bishop Guli “The thoughts and prayers… Read More
