The return of (G)race

Conversations about (G)race is back with Chine McDonald on home and Greenbelt, the power of personal story, redeeming white spaces, uncovering African spirituality & facing up to whiteness. Just an inspiring discussion! With Azariah France-Williams & Winnie Varghese. Produced by Rosie Dawson for HeartEdge, have a listen here.

Earlier episodes in the series are:

3. Sharon Lewis 'Afro-Futurism and recovering faith'

"Your work, the spirit is pulsating through it... it's deeply spiritual..." Writer, director and award-winning film maker, Sharon Lewis in conversation about God and race with Azariah France-Williams and Winnie Varghese. "Black History Month perpetually keeps us in the past... in an iconography we're repressed... We did rebel! We did fight back! We survived and thrived! We were not decimated in terms of spirit... The very basis of Black Future Month is that we exist..." Sharon, Azariah and Winnie on Christianity colonised (and releasing colonial attitudes), coding the future, extending sci-fi, giving up Jesus and recovering Christianity and the church, being angry... and dodgy haircuts...

2. David Neita 'Barriers, boundaries and finding home'

UK based poet and lawyer David Neita in conversation with Azariah France-Williams and Winnie Varghese. “I belong to the Lord – so this is my space…” How to build a space that is welcoming, diverse and hospitable. Plus, poverty, inequality and the importance of poetry to navigate the justice system… And birthing something creative into the world.

1. Broderick Greer 'Black imagination, white reactions'

Broderick Greer Canon Precentor at Saint John's Cathedral in Denver, Colorado US in transatlantic conversation with Azariah France-Williams (UK) and Winnie Varghese (US). Talking God and race - on black resistance, black dignity and joy - and 'being the allies'. Plus the ravages of white supremacy and finding freedom. And how do you pronounce (G)race?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Valerie June - Pushing Against A Stone.

Churches Together in Westminster Newsletter No. 21

The Churches Together in Westminster Newsletter No. 21 for Autumn/Winter 2020/21 is now out and can be downloaded from the CTiW website. 

The newsletter includes the report of activities that I gave at the CTiW AGM, a summary of the discussion on 'The Spiritual Health of the Nation' involving Fr Roger Dawson, SJ, Director St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre, and Ann Morisy, Community theologian, that followed the AGM, plus a report of the latest activities of London Prisons Mission.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir - Step By Step.

CTiW Annual Meeting: The Spiritual Health of the Nation

The 2021 Churches Together in Westminster Annual Meeting will take place online on Monday 18 January 2021 at 6.30pm. 

After the Annual Meeting, there will be a Panel Discussion on the subject “The Spiritual Health of the Nation”.

To book free tickets see https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ctiw-agm-the-spiritual-health-of-the-nation-tickets-133327701745. All are very welcome.

Covid has been a time of huge upheaval and an opportunity for soul-searching. What are we learning as individuals and as society? Fr Dominic Robinson will chair a discussion on the spiritual health of the nation with Fr Roger Dawson SJ and Ann Morisy.

Fr Roger Dawson SJ is a Jesuit priest and is Director of St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre in North Wales. He trained as a clinical psychologist and worked in adult mental health in the NHS before entering the Society of Jesus in 1996. He continues to be interested in ‘positive psychology’ (the psychology of flourishing and ‘what makes life worth living’) and sees many connections between this and Ignatian spirituality.

Ann Morisy is an internationally acclaimed lecturer and writer. She was the Director of the Commission on Urban Life and Faith which produced the report ‘Faithful Cities’. She has written on numerous themes: religious experience (with David Hay), inter-generational fairness, community ministry. In her book ‘Bothered and Bewildered’ she re-envisions theology for troubled times.

Fr Dominic Robinson, SJ. is Parish Priest, Farm Street Church of the Immaculate Conception and Chair, Justice and Peace Commission, Diocese of Westminster.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Steve Bell - Wouldn't You Love To Know.