Viewpoint with Andrew Brown: Economist encounters HTB’s ‘networked power’ IT IS extraordinary how people persist in writing about the Church of England as though it were an organisation. The Economist’s digital magazine, 1843, carried a long and thoroughly researched piece about the state of the Church, which was blemis...

"What is novel about the whole article is how clearly it frames the future of the Church as a contest between HTB and the rest, the organisation and the institution," ✍️ Andrew Brown

Book review: The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller THE LAND IN WINTER is an invitation to enter into the lives of two couples in rural Somerset in 1962 and to be immersed in their world — to walk alongside them, to share their routines and thoughts, to know their hopes and longings, to do life wit...

"Throughout the novel, his characters’ choices make sense because of what they are defined by and define themselves against, because of what has shaped them and who they have become."

📚Richard Lamey reviews The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller

#books

Book review: The Cambridge Companion to Christian Liturgy, edited by Joris Geldhof HERE is a book that can take us further and deeper into the world of Christian worship. The list of contributors and their affiliated institutions is rather revealing, as there are no Church of England theological institutions or British universit...

"Here is a book that can take us further and deeper into the world of Christian worship."

📚Christopher Irvine finds many vital questions about liturgy discussed

#Books #liturgy

Malcolm Guite: Poet’s Corner I WRITE this from small-town America, specifically a place called Rock Hill, in South Carolina, the home town of the artist who is illustrating my Arthurian poems. After spending some time in his studio, we wandered downtown together, and I was in...

#PoetsCorner In the US, @malcolmguite.bsky.social visits a significant place in the civil-rights movement

#MalcolmGuite

Music review: Blank Arcades, album by Andrew Rumsey BLANK ARCADES is Andrew Rumsey’s third “album-in-a-day’” recorded in historic Wiltshire churches. This time, Rumsey (aka the Bishop of Ramsbury and Bishop designate of St Albans) has delivered almost as many songs as on Collodion (Arts, 11 April 2...

"I detected shades of Nick Drake and Martin Carthy on this record."

Peter Barrett listens to the new Andrew Rumsey album

Anglican poets: Quelling of noise within the soul ANGLICAN silence may seem an unpromising topic, because Anglicanism is so wordy. After all, Montaigne said that the Reformation was, in essence, “a quarrel over words”. A “verbal affair”, its “cardinal doctrine” was sola scriptura: the idea that C...

"Here is where Donne’s chief silence lies: in questions both unasked and unanswered. . ."

Concept of silence influenced key Anglican poets in the 1600s, says Kate McLoughlin

#poetry #JohnDonne

Book review: Solidarity: The work of recognition by Rowan Williams HERE is classic Rowan Williams. This is a significant work of compassion and wisdom, one that — I dare to guess — will stand out even among the great range of writings that he has produced. It brings together the fruits of engagement with philosop...

"Here is classic Rowan Williams. This is a significant work of compassion and wisdom, one that — I dare to guess — will stand out even among the great range of writings that he has produced."

📚Peter Selby follows the argument that solidarity is fulfilled in communion

#Books #RowanWilliams

UK news in brief Salisbury Cathedral commissions new Tenebrae setting THE choir of Salisbury Cathedral will sing nine newly commissioned pieces, in the form of three Nocturnes, by the composer Piers Kennedy, during Tenebrae for the Wednesday of Holy Week. Mr Kenne...

Among the news snippets this week: Salisbury Cathedral commissions new Tenebrae setting, and Lincoln priest convicted of drink-driving resigns

Law Commission responds to lack of burial spaces THE Law Commission published, on 16 March, its final report on the law of burial and cremation in England and Wales, and made recommendations aimed at simplifying, clarifying, and modernising it, and dealing with the law reform required owing to t...

The Law Commission published, on 16 March, its final report on the law of burial and cremation in England and Wales, and made recommendations aimed at simplifying, clarifying, and modernising it, and dealing with the law reform required owing to the shortage of burial spaces.

New Arthurian ballad cycle for modern Britain MALCOLM GUITE is an interviewer’s dream. Speaking from his book-lined study at home in Norfolk, he says he is still jet-lagged after recent speaking engagements in the United States. It is hard to believe. He is as excited, garrulous, and engaging...

“I want to recover the long story of a nation without bashing people.”

@malcolmguite.bsky.social talks to @revrachelmann.bsky.social about the launch of his four-book series that retells the tales of King Arthur

#Galahad #MalcolmGuite

Analysis: Europe’s future needs theology THE Church does not exist for the sake of the Church: it exists for the sake of (and to be a sign of) the Kingdom of God. This is a bold statement, which, if right, establishes the need for Christians and their institutions to engage in shaping th...

"If we think that liberal democracy, the rule of law, and human rights are important, then we must have a better case to put than 'because they are'".

Churches have a part to play in protecting liberal democracy, says Nick Baines

Speakers warn of confrontations with Islam and ‘weirding’ effect of digital media HOW urgent is the need of Christian revival in the West was explored this month at Pusey House, Oxford, by a conference that heard warnings of civilisational collapse. Confrontations with Islam and the “weirding” effect of digital media were among...

How urgent is the need of Christian revival in the West was explored this month at Pusey House, Oxford, by a conference that heard warnings of civilisational collapse.

Prayers by Muslims in public are not a threat AS SOMEONE whose entire professional identity is about making the case for faith in public life, I should be pleased that, during the past week or so, the right to pray publicly has been stimulating political discourse. And yet . . . It began when...

"Against the backdrop of growing concerns about Christian nationalism, it is hard not to wonder whether this is really about prayer at all."

Freedom of religion and belief extends to all faiths and none, or it is meaningless, argues Hannah Rich

Russia’s mass abduction of Ukrainian children condemned THE World Council of Churches (WCC) has voiced grave concern about Russia’s continuing mass abduction of Ukrainian children, after a United Nations commission confirmed that thousands still remained unaccounted for. “These actions are a shocking v...

The World Council of Churches has voiced grave concern about Russia’s continuing mass abduction of Ukrainian children, after a United Nations commission confirmed that thousands still remained unaccounted for.

I had to hide sexuality in Church of England, says Archbishop of Wales THE Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Cherry Vann, has spoken of the difficulty that she experienced as a gay woman in the Church of England. Archbishop Vann preached during a service in the American Cathedral in Paris for the Fourth Sunday in Le...

The Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Cherry Vann, has spoken of the difficulty that she experienced as a gay woman in the Church of England.

#ArchbishopOfWales #churchnews

US Judge grants injunction to clergy to minister to migrants at Minnesota detention centre A JUDGE in the United States has granted an injunction to allow clergy to minister to migrants at a detention centre in Minnesota, the state at the centre of the Trump administration’s most severe crackdown on immigrants. District Judge Jerry Blac...

A judge in the United States has granted an injunction to allow clergy to minister to migrants at a detention centre in Minnesota, the state at the centre of the Trump administration’s most severe crackdown on immigrants.

‘It is significant that he speaks of a relationship with the Church rather than of any personal conviction’ ACCORDING to a royal aide who was quoted widely last week, the Prince of Wales is keen to forge “a strong and meaningful” relationship with the Church. Prince William has so far been hesitant about his religious beliefs, to the point at which many...

It is heartening that Prince William — a reluctant prince, perhaps — now describes his faith as reflecting his “authentic self”, ✍️ Angela Tilby

United States rates its compatriots ‘immoral’, Pew research suggests THE United States is the only country in the world in which a majority of the people believe their fellow citizens to be immoral, Pew Research suggests. Of the US adults surveyed by the organisation, 53 per cent rated the morality and ethics of th...

The United States is the only country in the world in which a majority of the people believe their fellow citizens to be immoral, Pew Research suggests.

Middle East conflict hinders Jerusalem Holy Week THE Jerusalem Palm Sunday procession, from the Mount of Olives to the Old City, has been cancelled owing to security concerns over the Middle East conflict. Holy sites in Jerusalem — including the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, and the al-Aqsa co...

The #Jerusalem Palm Sunday procession, from the Mount of Olives to the Old City, has been cancelled owing to security concerns over the Middle East conflict.

Cardinal Koch joins Mullally at service to mark 60 years since Ramsey-Paul VI landmark declaration AN ECUMENICAL service of morning prayer in the Chapel of Our Lady Martyrdom, at Canterbury Cathedral, took place on Thursday, to celebrate 60 years since the Common Declaration by Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey, on 24 March 1966. The s...

An ecumenical service of morning prayer in the Chapel of Our Lady Martyrdom, at Canterbury Cathedral, took place on Thursday, to celebrate 60 years since the Common Declaration by Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey, on 24 March 1966.

Dr Wilcox, bishop chairing Orgreave inquiry, now ready to start THE Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, has declared himself fully satisfied with the terms of reference for the Orgreave inquiry, which he chairs. These were published on Friday. The foundations, the Bishop said, “allow us to begin the inquiry’s...

The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, has declared himself fully satisfied with the terms of reference for the #Orgreave inquiry, which he chairs. These were published on Friday.

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#churchtimes #churchnews #comment #features #arts #reviews #clergy #cofe #ChurchOfEngland #archbishopofcanterbury #SarahMullally #MalcolmGuite

Also in the paper:

#analysis Nick Baines says that Churches have a part to play in protecting
liberal democracy in Europe
#feature Malcolm Guite talks to Rachel Mann about the launch of his four-book retelling of the Arthurian legends
#film Stephen Brown reviews The Last Supper

The latest issue of the Church Times is out today 🗞️

In the news: Archbishop Mullally is enthroned in joyful service in Canterbury. Sarah Meyrick attended the service, while Amelia Braddick sought reactions.

Dean Robinson of Truro to be Bishop of Warrington THE next Suffragan Bishop of Warrington, in the diocese of Liverpool, is to be the Dean of Truro, the Very Revd Simon Robinson, Downing Street announced on Friday. He succeeds the Rt Revd Beverley Mason, who resigned last year (News, 4 September, ...

The next Suffragan Bishop of Warrington, in the diocese of Liverpool, is to be the Dean of Truro, the Very Revd Simon Robinson, Downing Street has announced.

Vicar’s legacy buys a stretch of Cornish coast for the National Trust A BEQUEST made by a clergyman who died in 1994 has helped the National Trust to buy a dramatic stretch of the Cornish coast near Mevagissey, where he ministered for almost 30 years and which he finally made his home. The late the Revd Anthony Mapp...

A bequest made by a clergyman who died in 1994 has helped the National Trust to buy a dramatic stretch of the Cornish coast near Mevagissey, where he ministered for almost 30 years and which he finally made his home.

US church threatened with fine is to offer indoor shelter to homeless people A CHURCH in the United States which was threatened with a fine of $5000 (£3700) a day for allowing homeless people to sleep in tents on its property is to offer an indoor shelter instead. The congregation at St Paul’s By-the-Sea, in Ocean City, Ma...

A church in the United States which was threatened with a fine of $5000 (£3700) a day for allowing homeless people to sleep in tents on its property is to offer an indoor shelter instead.

Book review: Grace Abounds: God’s abundance against the fear of scarcity by Walter Brueggemann NO ONE has done more than the late Walter Brueggemann to illuminate the Hebrew Scriptures for today’s audience. This volume is the fourth in the Walter Brueggemann Library series put together from previously published works by its editor, Davis Ha...

"The most valuable element in any of Brueggemann’s works is his imaginative use of scripture. His is no narrow approach"

📚Anthony Phillips enjoys a further distribution of Brueggemann’s legacy

#WalterBrueggeman #books #Bible

Early life of Sarah Mullally: Where a theology of belonging thrived AT THE earliest opportunity, in April 1981, Sarah Bowser, aged 19, was elected to the PCC of St Stephen’s, South Lambeth. It was her first taste of Anglican committee work, which later came to dominate her life. One of her initial responsibilities...

The new Archbishop of Canterbury had her earliest experience of leadership in the church at the age of 19, writes Andrew Atherstone in a new book

#SarahMullally #ArchbishopofCanterbury

Bible Society says its Quiet Revival report was based on a ‘faulty’ survey THE Bible Society has said that the survey sample on which its report The Quiet Revival was based was “faulty, and it can no longer be regarded as a reliable source of information about the spiritual landscape in Britain”. In a statement issued on...

The Bible Society has said that the survey sample on which its report The Quiet Revival was based was “faulty, and it can no longer be regarded as a reliable source of information about the spiritual landscape in Britain”

#quietrevival #churchnews