Politics in the Pulpit

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

Episode 15: Michael Jagessar for 13th June

This week Beth is chatting to Revd Dr Michael Jagessar. Michael is the Mission Secretary for Europe for the Council for World Mission, having previously spent 12 years heading up the United Reformed Church (URC)’s Global and Intercultural Ministries. Beth and Michael discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 13th June: 1 Samuel 15:34 - 16:13 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17 Mark 4:26-34

Episode 14: Dr Katie Cross for 6th June

This week on #PoliticsInThePulpit, Beth is chatting to Dr Katie Cross. Katie is a Lecturer in Practical Theology at Aberdeen University, with particular research interests in secularism, trauma and suffering. Her first monograph, The Sunday Assembly and Theologies of Suffering, was published in 2020. Beth and Katie discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 6th June: 1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15) 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35