Politics in the Pulpit

Summer Episode 4 - John Goddard (31st May)

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Naomi Oates and features our special guest John Goddard!

Revd John Goddard has been an ordained Baptist Minister for almost 30 years. Having served churches in rural Oxfordshire and industrial South Cumbria, he has been the Minister of Saffron Walden Baptist Church in Essex since 2013. Married to Karen, they have 2 adult sons and a shared love for wildlife and remote Scottish islands. John grew up in a Methodist family in the Derbyshire High Peak, and began training as a Methodist Local Preacher at the age of 16. Themes of inclusion and welcome are prominent in his theology and preaching, with a particular emphasis on the Biblical imperative for the full inclusion and affirmation of LGBTQ siblings within the Body of Christ. Much to everyone's surprise, not least his own, the last couple of years has seen a growing interest in running and he is a regular participant in Parkrun. 

This week, Naomi, John and Paul explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 31st May.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro
• 05:18 - Genesis 1: 1 – 2: 4a
• 18:20 - Psalm 8
• 26:00 – Matthew 28: 16-20 and 2 Corinthians 13: 11-13

Mentions

A Million Acts of Hope campaign (13-20 May 2026) -  https://millionactsofhope.org/about

Summer Episode 3 - Hannah Fremont-Brown (24th May)

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Naomi Oates and features our special guest Hannah Fremont-Brown!

Hannah has recently come back to the Methodist church as the Justice Seeking Church Officer. She previously coordinated Let’s End Poverty, a movement of people united behind a vision of the future where poverty can’t keep anyone down. She is passionate about supporting churches and Christians to campaign and walk alongside our communities for justice. She is a member of Hinde Street Methodist Church, and has just completed an MA in Theology, Mission and Ministry. She is a great friend of JPIT, having been an intern and Campaigns & church engagement officer with us!

This week, Naomi, Hannah and Paul explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 24th May.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro
• 06:00 - Acts 2: 1-21
• 16:24 - 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-13
• 26:00 - Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b
• 32:35 - John 20: 19-23

Mentions

Mentions Addressing Anti-Judaism in Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide: Updated Lectionary Recommendations (The Methodist Church) - https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-chur...

Trussell - https://www.trussell.org.uk/

Trussell’s Walking Humbly Bible study resources - Walking_Humbly_Bible_Studies.pdf

Summer Episode 2 - June Love (17th May)

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Naomi Oates, and features our special guest June Love!

June Love is a Baptist minister based in Norfolk, serving at King’s Lynn Baptist Church. She is also the ecumenical officer for the Baptist Church in Norfolk & Waveney, and chairs Churches Together in King’s Lynn, working closely with other denominations and local organisations. June is passionate about helping people engage deeply with Scripture in ways that connect with everyday life, and is actively involved in community initiatives including the local foodbank and creating spaces for public conversation such as election hustings. She is particularly interested in how faith speaks into issues of justice, community, and wellbeing.

This week, Naomi, June and Steve explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 17th May.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro
• 05:00 – Acts 1: 6-14
• 11:15 – Psalm 68: 1-10, 32-35
• 23:53 – John 17: 1-11
• 31:20 – 1 Peter 4: 12-14; 5: 6-11

Mentions

A Million Acts of Hope campaign (13-20 May 2026) -  https://millionactsofhope.org/about

Mentions Addressing Anti-Judaism in Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide: Updated Lectionary Recommendations (The Methodist Church) - https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-chur...

Churches Together in England - https://cte.org.uk/

Summer Episode 1 - Naomi Oates (10th May)

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Erica Lees-Smith, and features our special guest and new season host, Naomi Oates!  

The Revd Naomi Oates is a Methodist minister in the North Kent Circuit. She works with four churches and one Methodist community without a building. She loves cycling between her churches through the beautiful Kent countryside, which is thankfully fairly flat. In her spare time, she enjoys baking with her two young daughters, wild swimming, and reading Agatha Christie books, although not necessarily all at the same time. She loves that social justice lies at the heart of Methodist identity, and is particularly interested in issues relating to immigration and asylum, the criminal justice system, homelessness, and equality. 

This week, Erica, Naomi and Alex explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 10^th May.

Don’t forget to vote in your local or devolved elections on 7^th May!

TW: this episode briefly mentions sexual assault at 34:05-15.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro
• 06:27 - Acts 17: 22-31 and 1 Peter 3: 13-22
• 16:30 - Psalm 66: 8-20
• 30:20 - John 14: 15-21

 

Mentions

Addressing Anti-Judaism in Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide: Updated Lectionary Recommendations (The Methodist Church) - https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-chur...

Together Alliance - https://www.togetheralliance.org.uk/

Sign your church up to our Constituency Action Network to form a positive and purposeful relationship with your MP – jpit.uk/can

Watch our new CAN film (April 2026) - https://youtu.be/SPkQq3Oj81A?si=XvIPn2kzDPW2WHnK

Right to protest faith leaders letter – https://cte.org.uk/churches-warn-over-right-to-protest/

Compassion UK prayers for elections - https://www.compassionuk.org/blogs/prayers-for-elections/

The JPIT Interns (3rd May)

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Adam Aucock, and features our special guests, the JPIT interns! This week, Adam, Erica and Thomas explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 3rd May.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro

• 11:32 - Acts 7: 55-60

• 18:36 - Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16

• 26:12 - 1 Peter 2: 2-10

• 32:42 - John 14: 1-14

Mentions Addressing Anti-Judaism in Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide: Updated Lectionary Recommendations (The Methodist Church) - https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-chur...

‘Bible Society say their Quiet Revival report was wrong. Now what?’ Premier Christianity https://www.premierchristianity.com/r...

Christians for Impact - https://www.christiansforimpact.org/

26 April - Revd. Liz Wilson

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Thomas Niblett, and features our special guest, Liz Wilson!

Liz is the Vicar of St Anne, St Paul and St Augustine, Leicester, three parishes (with two churches) in the west of the city. In addition, she is the Area Dean for the City of Leicester Deanery and the vice Chair of Leicester Diocese Diocesan Board of Education.

This week, Liz, Thomas and Roo explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 26 April.

Jonty Langley (19th April)

 

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Erica Lees-Smith, and features our special guest, Jonty Langley!

Jonty Langley is a writer and commentator on religion, culture and politics. A former news columnist for Baptist Times and creative content lead at a missionary society, Jonty is now Editor of Shibboleth magazine and co-host of the Beer Christianity podcast. 

This week, Erica, Jonty and Thomas explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 19th April.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro
• 10:30 - Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
• 18:40 - Psalm 116: 1-4, 12-19
• 25:00 - 1 Peter 1: 17-23
• 36:40 - Luke 24: 13-35

Mentions

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

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

Addressing Anti-Judaism in Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide: Updated Lectionary Recommendations (The Methodist Church) - https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-chur...

JPIT resources on responding to Christian nationalism - https://jpit.uk/responding-to-christian-nationalism

Dissolved by Circle of Dust - https://open.spotify.com/track/43K8q16PW2xlcw7kejDede

 

Matt Forsyth (12th April)

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Hannah Fremont-Brown, and features our special guest, Matt Forsyth!

Matt, who serves currently as the Vice President of the Methodist Conference (25-26) and the Mission Team Leader in the Northampton District. A hopeful realist who lives in the Fens with his wife, three girls, and a bouncy cockapoo. 

This week, Hannah, Matt and Thomas explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 12^th April.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro
• 07:15 - Acts 2: 14a, 22-32
• 15:34 - John 20: 19-31
• 29:18 - Psalm 16
• 32:28 - 1 Peter 1: 3-9

Mentions

Addressing Anti-Judaism in Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide: Updated Lectionary Recommendations (The Methodist Church) - https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/resources/articles/addressing-antijudaism-in-lent-holy-week-and-eastertide-updated-lectionary-recommendations/

Together Alliance protest (Sky News) - https://news.sky.com/story/half-a-million-join-london-rally-against-the-far-right-claim-organisers-13525518

JPIT’s recent campaign for refugee family reunion - https://jpit.uk/refugee-reunion

Aniko Schuetz Bradwell - Easter Sunday special (5th April)

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Thomas Niblett, and features our special guest, Aniko Schuetz Bradwell!

Aniko is a Church of Scotland parish minister at Lammermuir Church, a rural parish of seven villages in a farming area of East Lothian, where she has been for just over ten years, and where she lives with her husband (who occasionally works with JPIT) and our son, as well as two cats, a guineapig and a flock of hens. She came to Scotland twenty years ago from my native East Germany, where I studied Literature and Religious Studies. She has worked with the Taizé and Iona Communities before working in the head office of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. She studied and trained for ministry in Edinburgh, with, among others, a training placement in our churches in the Holy Land.

This week, Thomas, Aniko and Adam explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 5^th April in an Easter Sunday special. Happy Easter from all at JPIT!

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro

03:40 – Acts 10: 34-43

11:55 - Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24

17:20 - Colossians 3: 1-4

24:14 - John 20: 1-18

Mentions

JPIT refugee family reunion campaign – jpit.uk/refugee-reunion

Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere (documentary)

Closing reflection from Pádraig Ó’Tuama An Easter Sunday. A Sacred Echo. Solidarity in a Small Hell of Our Own | The On Being Project

David Coleman - Palm Sunday special (29th March)

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Erica Lees-Smith, and features our special guest, David Coleman!

The Reverend David Coleman is Environmental Chaplain for Eco Congregation Scotland, a post gifted by the United Reformed Church. Without formal authority, he’s nonetheless well known as a green voice in Scottish churches.  He visits grassroots churches and sometimes colleges, and engages in ecumenical conversation with many bodies on spiritual and environmental issues. David was invited to the Assisi conferences on establishing a global ecumenical celebration of Creation, ['24, ’25] and as part of the global supervisory committee for Season of Creation, he curates the Season resource for Scotland. He is a member of the Iona Community, and active in developing challenging reflective visual/liturgical material. David is 62, a widower, with two adult children.

This week, Erica, David and Roo explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 29^th March in a Palm Sunday special.

Timestamps

• 00:00 - Intro
• 10:00 - Matthew 21: 1-11

• 23:20 - Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29
• 36:10 - Isaiah 50: 4-9a

Mentions

Together Alliance protest on 28^th March - https://www.togetheralliance.org.uk/

Eco-Congregation Scotland - http://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/

Closing prayer, by Bishop Dr. Munib A. Younan - https://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/blog/palm-sunday