Church of England bishops refuse to back gay marriage – Guardian
Bishops resist change that would allow clergy to marry same-sex couples but propose civil marriages can be blessed in church Harriet Sherwood. Guardian. 18 January 2023 Fulcrum
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Ronald Blythe, much-loved author celebrated for Akenfield, his classic book about village life in Suffolk – obituary – Daily Telegraph
‘His mother was a fundamentalist Christian and under her influence he became a lifelong churchgoer, beginning at Sunday school, becoming a chorister and later serving as a churchwarden and chairman of his local parochial church council.’ Daily Telegraph Obituaries. 15 January 2023 Fulcrum
Ronald Blythe Obituary – Guardian
He was almost as reticent about his faith, but his writing was deeply suffused in his Christian beliefs and his knowledge of the scriptures. He was a lay reader – deputising for vicars across several parishes – and became a lay canon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, but turned down the chance to become a priest. … Continue Reading
‘We’d love to be married in church’: C of E debates same-sex church weddings – Guardian
Anglican bishops to discuss and vote on proposal to be put to synod in February Harriet Sherwood. 15 January 2023 Fulcrum
Philip North named as next Bishop of Blackburn – Blackburn Diocese
The Right Reverend Philip North has today been announced by 10 Downing Street as the next Bishop of Blackburn. Diocese of Blackburn 10 January 2023 Fulcrum
Church Commissioners publishes full report into historic links to transatlantic chattel slavery and announces new funding commitment of £100m in response to findings – C of E
The report follows an interim announcement in June 2022, which reported for the first time, and with great dismay, that the Church Commissioners’ endowment had historic links to transatlantic chattel slavery*. The endowment traces its origins partly to Queen Anne’s Bounty, a fund established in 1704. Church of England website. 10 January 2023 Fulcrum
More Americans stay away from church as pandemic nears year three – RNS
Many Americans already had dropped out of church life before the pandemic. COVID-19 gave them a reason to let go completely, according to a new survey. Bob Smietana. Religion News Service. 5 January 2023 Fulcrum
American Christianity: faith and reason, politics and numbers -The Article
The delayed UK 2021 Census showed that the number of those identifying themselves as Christian had continued to fall and was now less than half of the overall population. A flurry of news stories brought tidings of secular joy at further evidence of Christianity’s decline, and variations on “oh dear” from the different Churches. Ian … Continue Reading
Anglican Church and UK condemn desecration of Jerusalem graves – BBC
The Anglican Church and United Kingdom have expressed “dismay” at an attack on a historic cemetery close to Jerusalem’s walled Old City. Yolande Knell. BBC News. 4 January 2023 Fulcrum
Number of Christmas services surges as parishes welcome public – C of E
The number of Christmas services and events being advertised on the Church of England’s church-finding website is up by more than a quarter on pre-pandemic levels as parishes prepare to welcome people back in person to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Church of England website. 23 December 2022 Fulcrum