Politics in the Pulpit

Episode 94: with Niall Cooper for Sunday 9th July

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Niall Cooper.

Niall Cooper has been Director of Church Action on Poverty since 1997, and has been responsible for piloting a range of new approaches to anti-poverty work in the UK, and running high profile campaigns on asylum destitution, debt and food poverty.  He is passionate about creating space for people struggling against poverty the opportunity to speak truth to power, and to reclaim dignity, agency and power together. Action on Poverty's latest initiative is the Your Local Pantry – a network of nearly 100 member-run food clubs, hosted by churches and other local partners, which offer dignity, choice and hope to more than 20,000 member households across the UK.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 9^th July:
Zechariah 9: 9-12

Romans 7: 15-25a

Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30

Psalm 145: 8-14

‘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 93: with Revd Charmaine Mhlanga for Sunday 2nd July

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Rev. Charmaine Mhlanga.

Charmaine is serving as a Newly Accredited Baptist Minister at Sundon Park Baptist Church in Luton. Charmaine is a Student Governor at Spurgeons College. Charmaine holds a Master’s Degree in Christian Thought and Practice, Professional Ministry and Practice, a BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care and various other qualifications and experience in the field of health and social care. Charmaine is part of the Baptist Union Racial Justice Hub and Churches Together Luton Racial Commission. Charmaine is part of EQUIP, a course aimed at EQUIPPING 18-30 year olds to lead with confidence and humility in GOD’s church. Charmaine has interests and involvement with matters of racial equality and justice; immigration and asylum; quality control and quality assurance; leadership, science and technology; mentoring, coaching and training. Charmaine is an active member of a Zimbabwe Community Group in Luton. As a mother, Charmaine is passionate about helping eradicate holiday hunger and volunteers for the Breakfast Battery Box, which is a group of local Luton residents, helping individuals and families to access breakfast parcels during school holidays. Charmaine enjoys reading, art, music, bird watching, scenic walks and cooking.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 2^nd July:
Jeremiah 28: 5-9

Romans 6: 12-23

Matthew 10: 40-42

Psalm 89: 1-4, 15-18

‘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 92: with Emily Shepherd for Sunday 25 June

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Emily Shepherd.

Emily is one of two Joint CEOs of the charity Welcome Churches and lives near Manchester. She co-founded Welcome Churches with Karina Martin in 2018, a charity whose vision is for every refugee to be welcomed by the local church.

They discuss some of the lectionary readings for Sunday 25th June, which is observed as ‘Sanctuary Sunday’ by many churches and marks the end of Refugee Festival Scotland and Refugee Week in England and Wales:

• Genesis 21:8-21
• Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
• Jeremiah 20:7-13 (alt. reading)
• Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18 (alt. reading)
• Romans 6:1b-11
• Matthew 10:24-39

‘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.

Useful links:

• https://welcomechurches.org
• https://www.refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk/
• https://refugeeweek.org.uk/

Episode 91: with Deacon Angie Allport for Sunday 18th June

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Deacon Angie Allport.

Angie is a Methodist Deacon based in Hereford, where her role is primarily one of community engagement. Angie is an active campaigner on issues of peace and justice. She’s a co-founder of the Network of Methodist Activists and Secretary to the Methodist Peace Fellowship.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 18^th June:
Exodus 19: 2-8a

Romans 5: 1-8

Matthew 9:35-10:8 (9-23)

Psalm 100

‘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 90: with Sarah Edwards for Sunday 11th June

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Sarah Edwards.

Sarah is the Executive Director of the JustMoney Movement, which aims to equip Christians and churches to connect faith and finance, so as to shape a fairer, greener world. She has worked in advocacy and campaigning on social justice issues for the past two decades, most recently at Tearfund, and previously at Jubilee Debt Campaign, Anti-Slavery International, and Health Poverty Action. Sarah lives in North London with her husband and two children, where she is involved in preaching and teaching in her local church and is a trustee of the local Foodbank. She enjoys reading, exploring nature, running and eating chocolate!

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 11^th June:
Hosea 5: 15-6: 6

Romans 4: 13-25

Matthew 9: 9-13, 18-25

Psalm 50: 7-15

‘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 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.