Politics in the Pulpit?

Advent Episode 1: Hope is Here with Dave Hardman

Welcome to Hope is Here, a bonus series of five mini-episodes for each Sunday in Advent!

This Advent season, join Revd Dave Hardman, Methodist Team Leader at the Joint Public Issues Team, as he draws out the theme of hope in our Advent readings.

Dave has recorded a short reflection for each week of Advent, to accompany the candle-lighting prayers he has produced for use in Advent services. You can find all of JPIT’s Advent resources here: jointpublicissues.org.uk/advent

In this first week of Advent, he reflects on Luke 21:25-36. JPIT’s work is centred on our Six Hopes for society, and this week connects to our hope for a planet where our environment is renewed. Read more at https://www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/issues/environment/

#HopeIsHere

Episode 34: Revd Martin Hodson for 21st November

In the penultimate episode of this current series, David chats to Revd Martin Hodson.

 

Martin is the General Director of the Baptist Union of Scotland. After an initial career in industrial management he served as minister of Baptist churches in Aberdeen and Worcester. He initially joined the Baptist Union of Scotland team as Ministry Development Coordinator, then two years ago became General Director.

 

David and Martin discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 21st November:

 

2 Samuel 23:1-7

Revelation 1:4b-8

John 18:33-37

Episode 33: Lord Paul Boateng for 14th November

A very exciting guest this week, as David chats to Lord Paul Boateng!

Paul is a former MP (1987-2005) and Cabinet Minister, and served as Her Majesty’s High Commissioner to South Africa 2005-2010. He is a Methodist lay preacher and a former Vice Moderator in the World Council of Churches. He is Moderator Emeritus of the Bible Societies African Biblical Leadership Initiative and currently Chairs the Church of England’s Archbishops Commission on Racial Justice.

Together David and Paul discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 14th November:

1 Samuel 1:4-20

Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18), 19-25

Mark 13:1-8

Episode 32: Revd Peggy Kabonde for 7th November

This week, David chats to Revd Peggy Kabonde. Peggy is a minister with a wealth of experience on justice issues, especially on gender. She is currently serving as a minister with Bradford on Avon United Church, Melksham United Church and Whitely Methodist Church in the Wiltshire United Area.

 

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 7th November:

 

Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17

 

Hebrews 9:24-28

 

Mark 12:38-44

Episode 31: Revd Diane Watts for 31st October

This week, David chats with Revd Diane Watts. Diane is a Baptist minister and leads the Faith & Society Team at the Baptist Union. They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 31^st October:

Ruth 1:1-18

Hebrews 9:11-14

Mark 12:28-34

Episode 30: Revd Alex Clare-Young for 24th October

This week, David chats to Revd Alex Clare-Young. Alex is a minister in the United Reformed Church and is currently researching the experiences and theological insights of other trans and non-binary Christians.

 

David and Alex discuss the lectionary readings for 24th October:

 

Job 42:1-6, 10-17

 

Hebrews 7:23-28

 

Mark 10:46-52

Episode 29: Revd Emma Nash for 17th October

This week, David chats to Revd Emma Nash. Emma is a Baptist Union accredited evangelist seconded to The Methodist Church’s Evangelism and Growth Team. She is also the author of ‘A Pastoral Theology of Childlessness’ which was published by SCM Press earlier this year.

 

David and Emma discuss the lectionary readings for 17th October:

Job 38:1-7 (34-41)

Hebrews 5:1-10

Mark 10:35-45

Episode 28: Revd Grace Thomas for 10th October

In this week's episode, David speaks with Revd Grace Thomas about the lectionary readings for Sunday 10th October 2021. Grace is an Anglican priest serving in the parishes of Moss Side and Whalley Range in the Diocese of Manchester. She is also a Diocesan Environment Officer and has published on issues relating to Christian responses to the changing climate.

 

Readings:

 

Job 23:1-9, 16-17

 

Hebrews 4:12-16

 

Mark 10:17-31

Episode 27: Rodney Coker for 3rd October

This week, David sits down (virtually) with Rodney Coker to discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 3rd October 2021.

Rodney is a former JPIT intern, who has a degree in Constitutional Politics, Law & Theory. He has a particular interest in social justice and the intersection of faith and politics, encouraging Christians to make a positive impact on the political landscape. He worked with JPIT and with Conservative MP Derek Thomas from 2020-21.

Readings:

Job 1:1; 2:1-10

Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

Mark 10:2-16

Episode 26: Revd Fiona Bennett for 26th September

This week, David was in conversation with Revd Fiona Bennett, Minister of Augustine United Church in Edinburgh. An ordained minister since 1996, Fiona has worked in local churches with both the Methodist Church and the Church of Scotland, before being inducted as the minister of AUC in 2009.

David and Fiona discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 26th September:

Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22

James 5:13-20

Mark 9:38-50