Written after returning from a protest march in Leeds to coincide with the COP30 Sustainability talks in Belem, Brazil. -o-O-o- It felt good to shout at the top of my voice for an hour as we paraded through the drizzle, especially since I believed in the slogans. How much impact it had on the LeedsContinue reading “A Cry for Planet Earth”
Category Archives: Debating Issues
Robbing the Poor – An Urgent Appeal
Cover picture from Tearfund’s campaign against the cuts in aid. Imagine the boss at work telling you there’ll be a 10% cut in pay. Hard times, have to accept the reality of life, don’t like doing this but ‘it is what it is’. Then the boss gets sacked; he’s been blamed for the poor stateContinue reading “Robbing the Poor – An Urgent Appeal”
Inspiration from Italy
I guess you’re familiar with the rosy glow that means you know you’ve done a good job. Three perfectly poached eggs on toast ready to serve, not a single broken yoke. A beautiful flower bed that we planted last year, bursting into bloom. That broken-down wall, now neatly reconstructed, stones in apple-pie order. But whatContinue reading “Inspiration from Italy”
The Tree of Life
“Now, think of as many words as you can to describe a tree, and how it makes you feel.” So said the leader of our workshop, based on the book, “The Man Who Planted Trees”. Several minutes later, the flipchart was adorned with the most beautiful, complimentary words. Anyone would have been delighted to beContinue reading “The Tree of Life”
A (Nearly) Car Free Week
Two weeks ago, I carried out an experiment. I decided not to use our car for a week. You probably wonder, “why should anybody do a silly thing like that?” At times, I wondered, too. Well, did you know that 20%, one fifth, of all the carbon we emit worldwide comes from transport? My littleContinue reading “A (Nearly) Car Free Week”
Glad Tidings? A Pub Conversation
[The cover photo is actually from a holiday let advertisement in Pattaya, but is similar to the photo Dave showed me, taken from the window of his friend’s apartment] “He’s 58 years old,” explained Dave, “an’ he’s got it made! It’s costing him £200 a month for his apartment – they’re dirt cheap, y’know, inContinue reading “Glad Tidings? A Pub Conversation”
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness – Discuss
Very funny, and rather well-chosen – Jesus peering round the angle of the door frame, at the top of which are his words, “I SAW THAT!” This is my Christmas present from Lucy, the manager of the community centre where I volunteer on a Wednesday. I shouldn’t have been surprised. It seems I’ve putContinue reading “Cleanliness is Next to Godliness – Discuss”
Rapid Returns, Future Folly
Attention All Allotment Members Topsoil Delivery 10 a.m Saturday 23rd Bring your Spades and Wheelbarrows The Committee “Oh, great!” said Scott to Barry. “I’ve been waiting for this for weeks. All that veg I’ve dug up. I compost what I can, but there’s no way I can stop the soil level sinking over time.” SoContinue reading “Rapid Returns, Future Folly”
A Timeless Treasure
Why raise a colossal sum of money to refurbish a church organ when there are so many starving people and more worthwhile church growth projects to prioritise?
I think the answer can be different depending on each circumstance. I’ll let my guest blogger Pam explain how she believes God confirmed the answer for our church.
Pentecost – A Joyless and Boring Occasion
Faith and Religion makes life dull, dutiful and boring at best, whilst at worst they encourage abuse. So goes the Prevailing Narrative.
Bonnie Garmus’ ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ abounds in diatribe to this effect, BUT it’s a very enjoyable read and I thoroughly recommend this book! However, on the eve of Pentecost, I HAD TO react….
johnhearsonwrites.com 