Politics in the Pulpit?

Episode 89: with Revd Neil Thorogood for Sunday 4th June

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Rev. Dr Neil Thorogood.

Neil is currently URC minister of two congregations in the South Western Synod: Trinity-Henleaze in Bristol and Thornbury URC. The first is a larger congregation in a city suburb, the second a smaller congregation in a market town 10 miles away. He moved there in July 2020 amidst lockdowns. Before this he spent 15 years as tutor and then principal of the URC's Westminster College in Cambridge. He's also had ministries in Welwyn Garden City and Halifax since being ordained in 1992. He's active as an artist in oils on canvas and charcoal on paper and makes much use of the visual in worship and mission. He is married to Jenny and they have 2 adult sons.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 28^th May:
Genesis 1: 1 – 2: 4a

2 Corinthians 13: 11-13

Matthew 28: 16-20

Psalm 8

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, Ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community - find the group from the Joint Public Issues Team's Facebook page.

Episode 88: with Rev Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson for Sunday 28th May

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Rev. Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson.

Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson is a Minister of the Word and Sacraments in the United Reformed Church. She is Moderator-Elect of the General Assembly of the URC, to be inducted into the role on July 3rd 2023. Tessa is an Associate Tutor at Westminster College, Cambridge, and a Womanist Practical Theologian who is interested in the empowerment of global majority communities, women in particular. She is a member of the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Practical Theology, and the International Journal of Black Theology.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 28^th May:
Acts 2: 1-21

1 Corinthians 12: 3b-13

John 20: 19-23

Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, Ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community - find the group from the Joint Public Issues Team's Facebook page.

Episode 87: with Rev. Philip Brooks for Sunday 21st May

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Rev. Philip Brooks.

Revd Philip Brooks was ordained in 2007, following a career in the motor and finance industry. He now serves as the URC’s Deputy General Secretary with responsibility for Mission, which includes the denomination’s ecumenical relations and its involvement with JPIT. Philip is the URC General Secretariat representative on the denomination’s Faith & Order Committee. Previously he was minister to two Methodist/URC LEPs in Bolton and Salford and Bolton Town Centre Chaplain. He was a trustee of Greater Manchester Industrial Mission, which had oversight of several workplace chaplaincies, including Manchester Airport. During his time in Bolton, he represented the churches on Bolton Council’s Local Strategic Partnership, which brought together leaders from the education, health, police, commercial and charity sectors. Philip now lives in Coulsdon with wife Debs, who is a primary school teacher. They have a grown-up son and two grandsons, who live in Germany, as well as a daughter who lives at home and works for the NHS in the field of mental health.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 21^st May:
Acts 1: 6-14

1 peter 4: 12-14, 5: 6-11

John 17: 1-11

Psalm 68: 1-10, 32-35

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, Ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community - find the group from the Joint Public Issues Team's Facebook page.

Episode 86: with Rev. Dr Leao Neto for Sunday 14th June

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Rev. Dr Leão Neto.

Leão, is a Latino from Brazil. A son of the manse and Methodist minister himself. Served for 10 years at Hinde Street Methodist Church in the WLM and for 8 years in Harlesden Church and Circuit in Brent. Now he serves the Connexion in the areas of ecumenism, inter-faith relations, and language diverse ministries. He was the chair of Grassroots Ecumenical and Interfaith programme in Luton for 9 years, where he also served as a Mission Partner in the Luton Circuit. He was the chair of the Brent Multi Faith Forum and the Harlesden Neighbourhood Planning Forum. He has a passion for understanding the Gospel in relation to current affairs.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 14^th May:
Acts 17: 22-31

1 Peter 3: 13-22

John 14: 15-21

Psalm 66: 8-20

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, Ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community - find the group from the Joint Public Issues Team's Facebook page.

Episode 85: with Rev. David Musgrave for Sunday 7th May

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Rev. David Musgrave.

David is a retired Methodist presbyter, now living in Bath, with a longstanding commitment to issues of social justice. He has travelled widely, especially during an earlier career in the diplomatic service, and has a particular interest in Africa. He also has a concern for inter faith understanding and is currently Chair of the Bath Inter Faith Group.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 7^th May:
Acts 7: 55-60

1 Peter 2: 2-10

John 14: 1-14

Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, Ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community - find the group from the Joint Public Issues Team's Facebook page.

Episode 84: with Rev. Rachel Parkinson for Sunday 30th April

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, new host Deacon Ali McMillan is chatting to Rev. Rachel Parkinson!

Rachel has been in full-time ministry for twenty years, prior to which she was a Factory Inspector with the Health & Safety Executive inspecting workplaces in West Yorkshire. She is currently Chair of the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District and from September will also become Chair of JACEI (Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment). Rachel enjoys running, cycling, long-distance walking and fusing glass.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 30^th April:
Acts 2: 42-47

1 Peter 2: 19-25

John 10: 1-10

Psalm 23

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, Ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community - find the group from the Joint Public Issues Team's Facebook page.

Episode 83: with Simeon Mitchell for Sunday 2nd April

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Geoffrey is chatting to Simeon Mitchell.

Simeon is the URC’s Secretary for Church and Society, and current JPIT team leader. He is a Methodist local preacher and lives in Oxford.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 2^nd April:
Isaiah 50: 4-9a

Philippians 2: 5-11

Matthew 21:1-11

Psalm 118

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, Ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community - find the group from the Joint Public Issues Team's Facebook page.

Episode 82: with Sienna Sexton for Sunday 26th March

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Geoffrey is chatting to Sienna Sexton.

Sienna is a recent graduate of Politics and International relations, during university she was involved in establishing The Switch: Ethical Banking Campaign. She now works for Just Love UK, working to equip students and support graduates to pursue justice with their whole lives. Sienna works with students in Oxford and Nottingham, and with alumni. She's passionate about equipping people to reach their potential, and working for impactful social justice. In her free time Sienna can be found trying to learn French, running, reading, rock climbing, and volunteering to support refugees.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 26^th March:
Ezekiel 37: 1-14

Romans 8: 6-11

John 11: 1-45

Psalm 130

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, Ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community - find the group from the Joint Public Issues Team's Facebook page.

Episode 81: with Rev. David Copley for Sunday 19th March

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Geoffrey is chatting to Rev. David Copley.

David has been a minister for over 50 years. His ministry was entirely in the North West, with most in Liverpool and Manchester. Wherever he was called to serve, he sought to focus on issues of social justice. He was married to Margaret for 52 years and has three children and four grandchildren. Margaret was a Roman Catholic also with a powerful sense of the God of justice. She died of dementia last November.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 19^th March:
1 Samuel 16: 1-13

Ephesians 5: 8-14

John 9: 1-41

Psalm 23

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, Ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community - find the group from the Joint Public Issues Team's Facebook page.

David reads a poem at the end of the episode - you can read it here: https://jpit.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FINDING-THE-WAY.docx 

Episode 80: with Rev. Dr Jonathan Dean for Sunday 12th March

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Geoffrey is chatting to Rev. Dr Jonathan Dean.

Jonathan works in the Methodist Church’s Connexional Team, with responsibility for theological education and ministerial formation. He is a Methodist minister, who has worked in local churches, as a chaplain to a prison and a university, and in higher education, both in the UK and the US. His interests include reading, music, politics, walking, running, drinking coffee, visiting new places and trying not to lose heart whilst supporting Norwich City FC.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 12^th March:
Exodus 17: 1-7

Romans 5: 1-11

John 4: 5-42

Psalm 95

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, Ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community - find the group from the Joint Public Issues Team's Facebook page.