Politics in the Pulpit?

Episode 25:Bishop Paul Bayes for 19 September

To consider the lectionary readings for Sunday 19 September, host David Mayne was in conversation with Bishop Paul Bayes.In 2014, Paul accepted an invitation to be installed as the eighth Bishop of Liverpool, and for the past eight years has been leading the church in Liverpool to share the good news with groups who have been excluded and on the edge of political and personal deprivation. Paul has been the co-chair of Christian CND and involved in the Ecology Party – now the Green Party of England and Wales.

Readings for Sunday 19 September:

Proverbs 31:10-31
James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37

Episode 24: Revd Anne Bennett for 12 September

New host, David Mayne, talks to Revd Anne Bennett about current issues concerning justice and peace in the UK and around the world. They explore the justice issues emerging from the lectionary readings for 12 September 2021, and how preachers might approach these while preparing to speak at Sunday services.

Anne is Team Vicar at The Ascension church in Blackheath. A former prison chaplain, she is passionate about justice and rehabilitation.

Readings for Sunday 12 September:

Proverbs 1:20-33

James 3:1-12

Mark 8:27-38

COP26 Special! Episode 23: Revd David Gregory and Mollie Pugmire for 29th August

This week guest host Mollie Pugmire is chatting to Revd David Gregory.

Wondering how to preach about COP26, the all-important UN Climate Conference happening in Glasgow this autumn? This week we're excited to welcome guest host Mollie Pugmire, one of the Methodist Church's COP26 Campaigns Workers, to chat about all things COP, climate, and faith.

Mollie's guest is David, a Baptist minister at Croxley Green Baptist Church. David is a convenor of the Baptist Union Environmental Network.

Mollie and David discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 29th August:

Song of Solomon 2:8-13

James 1:17-27

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Episode 22: Revd David Mayne for 1st August

This week Beth is chatting to Revd David Mayne.

Beth is moving on from JPIT to become the new chaplain of Regent's Park College, Oxford. We're sad to see her go, but so excited to hand over to a new host of Politics In The Pulpit for the new season: Revd David Mayne!

David is a Baptist minister at Shoeburyness & Thorpe Bay Baptist Church and has served as Moderator of Baptist Union of Great Britain Council. David’s work with local churches, national and international Baptist groups, and with ecumenical partners has consistently been focused on issues of justice and inclusion, particularly in relation to gender. David is also the Chair of Trustees for the charity 28 Too Many.

Beth and David discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 1st August:

2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a

Ephesians 4:1-16

John 6:24-35

Episode 21: Revd Ali Boulton for 25th July

This week Beth is chatting to Revd Ali Boulton. Ali is a practitioner, consultant, researcher in New Housing Engagement. She has been a pioneer Baptist minister living on a new housing estate for over 10 years. She is part of the Fresh Expressions National Core team. Beth and Ali discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 25th July: 2 Samuel 11:1-15 Ephesians 3:14-21 John 6:1-21

Episode 20: Revd Andrew Hammond for 18th July

This week Beth is chatting to Revd Andrew Hammond. Andrew is the Chaplain of St John's College, Cambridge. In the past he has been Chaplain of King's College, Cambridge, and has worked in two London parishes and St Paul's Cathedral. Two years ago, he founded HeartEase, an alternative student church. Beth and Andrew discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 18th July: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a Ephesians 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Episode 19: Revd Lucy Berry for 11 July

This week Beth is chatting to Revd Lucy Berry. Lucy is a performance poet and a minister with United Reformed Church. She's been the poet in residence for the Joint Public Issues Team and has run workshops and performed her poetry all around the UK. Beth and Lucy discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 11th July: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:14-29

Episode 18: Steve Chalke for 4th July

This week Beth is chatting to Steve Chalke, in a bumper hour-long episode! Steve is the founder of the charity Oasis, who have pioneered sustainable, holistic community development for 35 years. He is a Baptist minister, a canon at Southwark Cathedral, and a former United Nations' Special Adviser on Human Trafficking. Beth and Steve discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 4th July: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Mark 6:1-13

Episode 17: Cassius Francis for 27th June

This week Beth is chatting to Cassius Francis. Cassius is Transforming Communities Together's Finance Development Worker (CE Diocese of Lichfield) and a minister with the Wesleyan Holiness Church. He is also an advisor and ambassador for the charity Ataloss.org, signposting the bereaved to support. Beth and Cassius discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 27th June: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Mark 5:21-43

Episode 16: Sue Richardson for 20th June

This week Beth is chatting to Sue Richardson. Sue is currently the chair of Church Action on Tax Justice, having recently retired from 25 years at Christian Aid as a Theological Education Adviser and Church Relations Officer. She has served as a local councillor and set up local environment action groups. Beth and Sue discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 20th June: 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41