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Churches were encouraged to offer a place of sanctuary for young people as part of efforts to combat knife crime and serious youth violence, in a key debate held at the General Synod last month. The Revd. Canon Dr Rosemarie Mallett, a priest in Angell Town, south London, urged parishes to consider opening their doors...

The Church of England’s lead bishop on healthcare issues, James Newcome, has backed experts’ calls for churches to promote gardening for mental wellbeing. A recent conference at Lambeth Palace to explore the links between mental health and gardening saw a fresh call for churches to use their green space to offer ‘therapeutic gardening’. Green Health...

Up to £155 million of additional investment may be spent over the next three years by the Church of England.  The funds will aim to increase the number of people coming forward to train for the priesthood, support cathedrals, and help disadvantaged areas. These spending plans for 2020 to 2022 will help build on the...

– put your church in the picture and it could win £5,000! Budding photographers could be in with a chance of winning £5,000 as part of a new competition launched by the UK’s leading church insurer. Parish Pixels is a new national photography competition for Anglican Churches in England, Wales and Scotland, launched by Ecclesiastical...

Children and young people with mental health issues are being turned away from NHS services and up to 110,000 are missing out on treatment in a year, according to new figures by The Children’s Society. The report, ‘Finding Help – Children, Young People and Families Navigating the System’ is based on Freedom of Information responses...

How do you help those with disabilities to feel included in local church life?  With a reported 99 per cent of all churches having a disabled person in the congregation, it is not an idle question. Now the charity Livability has issued some guidelines for the best way to get started.  ‘Recognise this will be...

Churches and cathedrals will be able to bid for a share of a £100-million pot of National Lottery funding for large-scale heritage projects over the next three years.  And the grants are not just aimed at restoration schemes, but also ideas that benefit communities. The bids will need to demonstrate ‘real ambition to deliver positive...

The Church of England’s lead bishop on the environment has welcomed the news that the Government has set a stricter target on climate change. The Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury said: ”The UK can be proud to be setting an example by making this commitment to address the global climate emergency.  But commitment...

Church of England Alexa skill asked 75,000 questions in first year Sir David Attenborough backs major new report from TEAR Fund Farewell to Prime Minister Theresa May Indian nationalist landslide could increase attacks against Christians English cathedrals celebrate £8m National Lottery funding boost  Church Commissioners for England achieve a positive return of 1.8%  1 in 4...

A year after its launch, the Church of England’s award-winning Alexa skill has been asked more than 75,000 questions, according to recent data. The smart speaker skill was originally launched with prayers, explanations of the Christian faith and details of where to find the nearest church for local events and services based on location. The...

A new report has revealed for the first time that one person is dying every 30 seconds in developing countries from diseases and illnesses caused by plastic pollution and uncollected rubbish dumped or burnt near their homes. The new figures were released in No Time to Waste: Tackling the Plastic Pollution Crisis Before it’s Too...

The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Rev David Urquhart, Convenor of the Lords Spiritual, has responded to Theresa May’s departure.  He said: “Theresa May has given dedicated and committed public service to the country during very difficult times. I wish her and Philip well as they prepare for life beyond Downing Street. “I am especially...