Politics in the Pulpit

Spring Episode 7 - Rachel Summers (22nd February)

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit for Spring 2026 is hosted by William Gibson, and features our special guest, Rachel Summers!

Rachel Summers is an ordained pioneer priest in the Church of England. She lives in East London and loves that she has the forest on her doorstep and the city all around her. Being in nature is an important part of her spirituality and something she takes joy in sharing with others through forest church. She enjoys hosting refugees in her spare room and the interesting conversations that happen in her kitchen because of this. Rachel has a fabulous ADHD brain which takes her on all manner of exciting sidequests, one of which at the moment is DTh study through Roehampton university. She has many good ideas, some of which actually happen, and her hands are never quite mud free.

This week, William, Rachel and Roo explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 22nd February.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro
• 04:40 - Genesis 2: 15-17; 3: 1-7
• 15:33 - Psalm 32
• 22:44 - Romans 5: 12-19
• 33:00 - Matthew 4: 1-11

Mentions

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Nuremberg (2025)

Spring Episode 6 - Jack Wakefield (15th February)

The next episode of this season of Politics in the Pulpit for Spring 2026 is hosted by William Gibson, and features our special guest, Jack Wakefield! 

Jack is a campaigner with over a decade of experience influencing change across climate, health, justice and inequality. His work has included grassroots youth organising, regular preaching and training for churches, and leading delegations at UN negotiations. He's part of a new church plant in the southwest and is a trustee for Green Christian. 

This week, William, Jack and Hannah explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 15th February.  

Timestamps 

• 00:00 – Intro 

• 05:28 - Exodus 24: 12-18 

• 10:29 - Psalm 2   

• 16:27 - Psalm 99 

• 19:45 - 2 Peter 1: 16-21 

• 26:39 - Matthew 17: 1-9 The Transfiguration 

  

Mentions 

Joseph Rowntree annual UK poverty report (2026) - https://www.jrf.org.uk/uk-poverty-2026-the-essential-guide-to-understanding-poverty-in-the-uk  

The Iona Community - https://iona.org.uk/about/our-story/  

Theology and Joy by Jürgen Moltmann 

Episcopal Bishop predicts “new era of martyrdom” - https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/bishop-warns-of-new-era-of-martyrdom-amid-immigration-tensions  

Poem written by Bonhoeffer before his execution by the Nazis in 1945 - https://www.praise.org.uk/hymns/by-gracious-powers-so-wonderfully-sheltered  

Spring Episode 5 - Laura Durrant (8th February)

The next episode of this season of Politics in the Pulpit for Spring 2026 is hosted by William Gibson, and features our special guest, Laura Durrant!

Laura is a reporter and editorial team member for S(h)ibboleth magazine and a co-host of the Beer Christianity podcast. She is a communications specialist and has worked in the faith-based charity sector for the last seven years.

This week, William, Laura and Thomas explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 8^th February.

Timestamps

• 00:00 - Intro
• 05:35 - Isaiah 58: 1-9a(9b-12)
• 15:56 - Psalm 112: 1-9(10)
• 22:00 - 1 Corinthians 2: 1-12(13-16)
• 30:38 - Matthew 5: 13-20

 

Mentions

S(h)ibboleth magazine - https://shibbolethmag.com/pages/about-shibboleth

Beer Christianity podcast - https://www.beerchristianity.co.uk/

The Gen Z Quiet Revival report (Bible Society) - https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet-revival

Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence research and book about the Far Right - https://www.csbvbristol.org.uk/the-church-the-far-right-and-the-claim-to-christianity/

Watch Revd Dr Helen Paynter’s lecture, ‘Unpacking the theology of Christian nationalism’ (Better Story, January 2026) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgHMeOm5uBA

Notes from Rev Prof Joseph Mante’s keynote on the Gospel passage in relation to colonial history (27^th General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches) - Theme-A_20251016_OtisMoss_Keynote.pdf

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland resources for Racial Justice Sunday 2026 - https://ctbi.org.uk/resources/racial-justice-sunday-8-february-2026/

Spring Episode 4 - Cat Whitehouse (1st February)

The next episode of this season of Politics in the Pulpit for Spring 2026 is hosted by William Gibson, and features our special guest, Cat Whitehouse!

Cat Whitehouse is the Faith in Action Project Worker for Student Christian Movement. Her work is shaped by a deep interest in how faith and politics meet in everyday life, and how this shapes the ways we build community, support both our neighbours and those we disagree with, and work for justice. The focus of Cat’s year at SCM is on loving our neighbour and enemy, and they have run workshops with students on the rise of the far right and how it conflicts with Christian faith, as well as on LGBTQ+ rights in the face of hate, titled Love Over Fear. As a queer Christian, Cat is particularly passionate about LGBTQ+ inclusion in faith spaces and creating environments where people feel safe to be fully themselves. Some of her highlights in the role so far have been the ‘Ace and Faith’ panel which she hosted in collaboration with Ace Space London and organising the SCM Virtual Candlelit Vigil for Trans* Day of Remembrance 2025.  

This week, William, Cat and Alex explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 1^st February.

Mentions

Student Christian Movement - https://www.movement.org.uk/

Constituency Action Network – jpit.uk/can

The Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9QeTmRCpW4

Nadia Bolz Weber’s Beatitudes - https://thecorners.substack.com/p/salty-d99

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Enfleshed Liturgy’s Beatitudes - https://enfleshed.com/blogs/liturgies/beatitudes-remix/

Spring Episode 3 - David Hardman (25th January)

The third episode of this season of Politics in the Pulpit for Spring 2026 is hosted by William Gibson, and features our special guest, Dave Hardman!

Revd David Hardman is currently serving as the Methodist Liaison Office, Jerusalem for the Methodist Church in Britain. Ordained in 1994 he has served churches and circuits in the city centre, inner-city and suburbs of Manchester and London. He has also worked for Christian Aid as Senior Regional Coordinator in the North West of England and most recently as Methodist Team Leader of the Joint Public Issues Team. Justice and Peace have been at the heart of David’s ministry, he is an accredited mediator with Place for Hope and a committed activist.

This week, William, Dave and Simeon explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 25^th January. This conversation highlights David’s experiences with Palestinian Christians under occupation.

Timestamps

06:13 - Matthew 4: 12-23

11:10 - Isaiah 9: 1-4

19:58 - Psalm 27: 1, 4-9

29:10 - 1 Corinthians 1: 10-18

Mentions

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25^th in UK; 25^th-2^nd in Jerusalem) - https://www.lpj.org/en/news/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-in-jerusalem

https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/resources-for-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2026

Bridging the Gap: Has the Church failed the poor? by John Harvey

Kairos Palestine II document (November 2025) - https://www.kairospalestine.ps/images/Kairos_Palestine_II_English_Final.pdf

Spring Episode 2 - Adam Aucock (18th January)

The second episode of this season of Politics in the Pulpit for Spring 2026 is hosted by William Gibson, and features our special guest, Adam Aucock!

Adam Aucock is a new member of the JPIT team working as the Advocacy Coordinator within the Methodist Church. Adam is from a Baptist background and has worked on advocating for policy change for several years, particularly focussing on the climate and environmental crises and their impacts on those living in poverty around the world. Through work in different organisations, including the international development agency Tearfund, Adam has campaigned for policy changes in spaces from local governments to global policy negotiations.

This week, William, Adam and Thomas explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 18th January.

Timestamps

07:03 - Psalm 40: 1-11

16:20 - John 1: 29-42

25:00 - Isaiah 49: 1-7

32:33 - 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9

Mentions

Letters from a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.

Reading the Gospel of John Through Palestinian Eyes by Yohanna Katanacho

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources - https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/d...

JPIT collaborative response to Unite the Kingdom (December 2025) – jpit.uk/joyforall

Spring Episode 1 - William Gibson (11th January)

The first episode of this season of Politics in the Pulpit for Spring 2026 is hosted by Stephen Ansa-Addo, and features our special guest and new host, William Gibson!

William is a candidate for ministry in the Church of Scotland and a PhD student in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Glasgow. Prior to this William worked at Apple where he led unionising efforts in the first unionised Apple store in the UK before working for the Student Christian Movement as their theology and resources project worker for a year. William is also an Iona Community member.

This week, Stephen, William and Erica explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 11^th January.

Timestamps:

6:58 – Isaiah 42: 1-9

12:42 – Psalm 29

16:20 – Matthew 3: 13-17

24:40 – Acts 10: 34-43

Christmas Special 3/3

Alex, Christine, Erica, and Thomas discuss the readings for 4 January. Don't forget to listen to parts 1 and 3 of our Christmas special and watch this space for a new host and a return to our traditional format in the new year. 

Christmas Special 2/3

Alex, Christine, Erica, and Thomas discuss the readings for 28 December. Don't forget to listen to parts 1 and 3 of our Christmas special and watch this space for a new host and a return to our traditional format in the new year. 

Politics in the Pulpit Christmas special 1/3

Alex, Christine, Erica, and Thomas discuss the readings for Christmas Day. Don't forget to listen to parts 2 and 3 of our Christmas special and watch this space for a new host and a return to our traditional format in the new year.