I was asked to review a manuscript for a novel awaiting publication. The story essentially revolves around a Norwich parish (St Peter Mancroft) in the care of a liberal Catholic parish priest. It captures in the fraught relationship of the incumbent, Fr Reg, and a new arrival, conservative evangelical Clive Arthurs, the tussle of the last couple of decades for influence in the Church of England.

The alleviation of poverty should never be a party-political issue. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, about a fifth of the population, 14 million people, live in poverty, and 1.5 million are classed as destitute, which means being unable to afford the essentials. Poverty brings insecurity, loss of opportunity and exclusion as well as financial hardship. Those on the lower rungs of the ladder are always aware how near they are to the bottom and how easily they could end up there.

You will be aware that the Westhill Trust awarded us a grant to help us fulfil our aim of producing a series of short 5-minute films which will focus on the stories of young people facing the challenges of 21stcentury life and what a progressive Christian faith might have to say in response to their stories. We have now agreed to accept a tender for that work from a media company called Shortform based in Manchester. This is an exciting young company whose excellent professional work you can see on their website (www.shortform.co.uk). We are budgeting to spend up to £20,000 on this venture. We have secured £11,500 from Westhill, we are hopeful of another £1000 in grant aid, we intend to take £5000 from our limited reserves and hope that you, our members, might feel able to contribute to the project in order to make up the shortfall. And so we are launching a Film Project Fund(as we did with the Marcus Borg Memorial Fund which is now closed) and inviting individuals and PCN groups to donate to the Fund, by sending cheques or money transfers to PCN via the website/office. You will see the details on the website. We hope the films will be ready to be seen by the time we are at Greenbelt in August. We will keep you informed about the progress of the project and how these films can be a resource to PCN groups. We often hear it said , ‘Where are the young people?’ at our conferences or in our groups. This is one way in which we hope to engage with young people in their teens, twenties and thirties. Please support our venture. Adrian Alker Donate to Film Project Fund here

In his letter "Admirabile Signum" Pope Francis reflects on the meaning behind the elements that make up the nativity scene. He begins with the background of “a starry sky wrapped in the darkness and silence of night.” We think of when we have experienced the darkness of night, he says, yet even then, God does not abandon us. “His closeness brings light where there is darkness and shows the way to those dwelling in the shadow of suffering.” The presence of the poor and the lowly, continues the Pope, is a reminder that “God became man for the sake of those who feel most in need of His love and who ask Him to draw near to them.” From the manger, “Jesus proclaims, in a meek yet powerful way, the need for sharing with the poor as the path to a more human and fraternal world in which no one is excluded or marginalized.”

In 2008 we lit the spark that started Open Table, a safe sacred space for LGBTQIA+ Christians & all who seek an inclusive church. We’re crowdfunding until the end of 2019 to make 2020 our best year yet! If you value Open Table, please share this message, and give if you can. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008. Open Table has grown into a network of ecumenical Christian worship communities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church.Open Table communities now gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist).

Speaking to Maggie Fergusson for The Tablet Radcliffe says, "For millions of young people Christianity .. means nothing at all. It is, as Radcliffe admits, “as outmoded as a typewriter”. If pushed to consider it at all, most would probably share Stephen Hawking’s belief that we are just “chemical scum on an average-sized planet”. So what has a religion hedged about with guilt-inducing, tripwire rules to offer?

Churches' plan for new President falters because of equal marriage Plans to appoint a further President for Churches Together in England (CTE) have faltered because not all denominations in membership of CTE would accept a nominated President, who is a Quaker in a same-sex marriage. The Quaker appointee has been rejected because she is married to a woman. The Churches have rejected the Quakers' appointee Hannah Brock Womack, because she is married to a woman. An active Quaker, she is a young, radical peace activist, who campaigns against the arms trade and works in the voluntary sector. The CTE Member Churches bring together a richness of traditions and understanding. Some Churches agree with Quakers' strong stand for same-sex marriage. CTE, which offers an ecumenical space for sharing between the Churches, on a range of religious issues, has a recognised process for appointing Presidents.

Nominate a charity With your support, we can help to change people’s lives for the better. With your support, we can help to change people’s lives for the better. You can nominate any UK, Irish, Channel Islands and Isle of Man registered charity you choose. Nominations will remain open until midnight the day before each draw. Draws will take place each weekday from 5 – 20 December 2019. The more nominations a charity receives the greater the chance of them winning, So please do spread the word and encourage your friends, family, colleagues and anyone else you can think of to nominate too! www.ecclesiastical.com/movement-for-good/12-days /

Following the announcement this week from US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo on Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land, Quakers in Britain have repeated their view that the settlements are a serious obstacle to peace. Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain said: “Our Quaker commitment to peace and equality compels us to speak out about the US government’s announcement that ‘the establishment of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank is not, per se, inconsistent with international law.’’ “

Open Table aims to create a safe sacred space for you to explore your faith and what it means for you. Whoever you are, wherever you come from, you are welcome here. Open Table is for Christians who are here, who will not go away, and who simply ask to be recognised and accepted. Our vision is of a world where LGBTQIA+ people are fully included within our church traditions and communities. Until then, we will continue to nurture safe, sacred, sacramental, sustainable space where LGBTQIA+ Christians can 'come as you are'.

The Church of England’s General Synod is due for re-election in 2020, and Inclusive Church are working in partnership with a coalition of inclusive organisations to ensure there will be good representation for people wanting a welcoming, open and inclusive church for all.

Austen Ivereigh, former Tablet editor has said “Catholics are with the pope. That used to be the traditional understanding,” Ivereigh said. But that understanding has been challenged. He noted there is “a struggle going on. This pontificate is a place of spiritual combat.” Ivereigh has pointed to a well-funded opposition fighting his agenda which is emphasizing concerns such as the environment and welcoming migrants.

The general election, called for 12 December, is an opportunity to influence future decision-makers. Quakers seek something of God in everyone and that leads them to work for justice for all. Their commitment to truth, peace, equality and simplicity leads to five priorities: · Climate crisis · Migration · Criminal justice · Peace and disarmament · The nature of the debate

Canon Robin Gibbons preached at the special Newman Matins held at Christ Church, Oxford on the day of the canonisation of St John Henry Newman in Rome. In many ways this was an historic moment, a recognition by the Anglican community of their receptivity and love of one who did so much for Anglicanism but also who is bringing the two churches closer together. Canon Gibbons is one of Christ Church's Ecumenical Canons and the first Catholic priest ( Henry Mayr Harting being the first Catholic lay Canon as Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History form 1997-2003). Even though he transferred form the Latin to Eastern Rite, he remains Catholic. "It was in many ways a very historical and moving moment for us in Christ Church and from it comes a desire to know Newman and to forge closer ecumenical bonds, and to somehow commemorate him in the place he began his ordained ministry," he told The Tablet. "I am sure that in years to come, many will make pilgrimage to Oxford on a Newman journey, the close ecumenical ties we now begin to have in the Cathedral are partly a sign of his inspiration." Full sermon with this item:

Universal Credit is a new social security system being rolled out across the country. It is trapped thousands of families in poverty. Find out more by uploading the report and finding the action you can take.

Our AGM will be held at St. Luke's Holloway and will include a viewing of some of the PCN films that have been in production. We will add further details very soon.

Revd Adrian Alker writing to The Church Times: Sir, — If there had been a referendum on reintroducing capital punishment, would the Bishops have endorsed that? That the College of Bishops sees fit to endorse a referendum result that has so divided the country, where political parties disagree profoundly about the possible result of a no-deal exit from the EU, and where many parish churches serve communities that will, according to most economic forecasts, suffer economic and social hardships by leaving the EU, have the Bishops taken leave of their senses? Will the Scottish Episcopal Church, in a nation where the majority of people voted Remain, issue a contradicting statement? Surely, a wiser course for a national Church would have been a pastoral call to the people of these islands to take heed of Paul’s advice to the Colossians for us all to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. A wiser course, as seen in the statements of the Bishop of Leeds, would have been clear on what to call out: namely, belligerent language and a crude and dangerous attempt to polarise the debate as between “the people” and Parliament. Church Times leader comment should, alongside the Bishops’ statement, be sent to all parishes.

Tue 10 Sep 2019 10.12 BST The Guardian writes: Pope Francis has been visiting two of the poorest countries in the world, but on the way he took a moment to attack his enemies in the richest.

“Civil society organisations provide support, advice and services. However, another vital role for the social sector is to amplify the voices of the communities and causes we serve. People and issues that are too often ignored or unheard by those in positions of power. A thriving civil society is an indicator of a healthy democracy.

A group of Church of England bishops has issued an open letter on the prospect of a 'no-deal' Brexit and the need for national reconciliation, notwithstanding the potential prorogation of Parliament. The full text can be found below: The Archbishop of Canterbury has conditionally agreed to chair a Citizens Forum in Coventry and, without prejudice for any particular outcome, we support this move to have all voices in the current Brexit debate heard.