Politics in the Pulpit

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.

Episode 79: with Rev. Lucy Berry for Sunday 5th March

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Geoffrey is chatting to Rev. Lucy Berry.

Lucy is an ex-advertising writer, art therapist and performance poet. She was poet in residence for 4 years on BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine Show before training for ordination in the United Reformed Church. She's a Mum in a mixed heritage family, currently writing a book about preaching. She has worked with prisoners wives and taught in prison and although "straight' she is a founding trustee of The Open Table Network - a charity that helps establish, within welcoming host churches, safe, loving, LGBTQIA-led worship communities.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 5th March:
Genesis 12:1-4a

Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17

John 3: 1-17

Psalm 121

‘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 78: with Rev Ken Benjamin for Sunday 26th February

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Geoffrey is chatting to Rev. Ken Benjamin.

Formerly President of Baptists Together, and for more than 20 years Senior Minister of Chichester Baptist Church, Ken joined LICC (The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity) in September 2020. He is a leading voice in the whole-life discipleship movement. As Director of Church Relationships at LICC, Ken is responsible for leading LICC’s church-facing work, helping fuel a sustainable whole-life disciplemaking culture in the UK church. He is married to Sue, and they have two adult children. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and tennis as well as time away in his VW camper.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 26th February:
Genesis 2: 15-17; 3: 1-7

Romans 2: 12-19

Matthew 4: 1-11

Psalm 32

‘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.

NB: Geoffrey mentions the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine - this will be on Friday 24th February, not Sunday 26th February. Apologies for the wrong date. 

Episode77: with Ruth Whitehead for Sunday 19th February

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Geoffrey is chatting to Ruth Whitehead.

Ruth Whitehead is a minister of the United Reformed Church, currently serving as Moderator of the South Western Synod, but due to be inducted as minister of the Landsker pastorate in Pembrokeshire on April 1st. She is happy to be thought of as a ‘fool for Christ’.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 19^th February:
Exodus 24: 12-18

2 Peter 1: 16-21

Matthew 17: 1-9

Psalm 2 or Psalm 99

‘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 76: with Furaha Mussanzi for Sunday 12th February

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Geoffrey is chatting to Furaha Mussanzi!

Furaha is the Pastoral Care Leader for the Light Church in Bradford and the Ecumenical Canon at Bradford Cathedral. Originally from Democratic Republic of Congo, Furaha and her family migrated to Bradford as a refugees fleeing the war 20 years ago. Furaha’s deep Christian faith is central to everything she does and outside of her job she is an avid storyteller, singer and community activist.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 12^th February (Racial Justice Sunday):

Deuteronomy 30: 15-20
1 Corinthians 3: 1-9        
Matthew 5: 21-37           
Psalm 119: 1-8

‘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 75: with Rev. Esther Mason for Sunday 5th February

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Geoffrey is chatting to Rev. Esther Mason.

Esther is a Baptist Minister currently serving God at Christ Church in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. Christ Church is a longstanding Local Ecumenical Partnership of Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Church. They have a heart for inclusion, justice and welcome. Prior to this role she was interim chaplain for a year at Regent's Park College, Oxford having trained for ministry there whilst at Wallingford Baptist Church. She lived in Australia for 15 years which has influenced her in many ways including her accent.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 5^th February:
Isaiah 58: 1-9a (9b-12)

1 Corinthians 2: 1-12 (13-16)

Matthew 5: 13-20

Psalm 112: 1-9 (10)

‘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.