US Episcopalian leaders back call for Trump to show mercy
The US Episcopalian church (ECUSA) has doubled down on Bishop Mariann Budde’s criticism of Donald Trump, delivered at the National Service of Prayer for the Nation at Washington National Cathedral on his second day in office. As he sat in the pew in front of the pulpit, she urged him to show mercy to LGBTQ+ people and immigrants who are scared for their future because of his policies, especially on mass deportation. Trump lashed out on Truth Social, saying she was “nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart.” Now the Presiding Bishop of ECUSA, Sean Rowe, and the national representative for clergy and lay members, Julia Ayala Harris, have issued a statement repeating the plea that the president and congressional leaders “exercise mercy and compassion”, especially towards “law-abiding, long-term members of the church”. They say the church’s call is to stand with migrants and those who offer them help and urged Congress to stand against mass deportations. Bishop Mariann Budde told CNN it was her responsibility to counter the President, at the moment “where he feels charged and empowered to do what he feels called to do, and I wanted to say there is room for mercy.” The Religion News Service reports “a cavalcade of criticism from the political and theological right”, including Franklin Graham saying the cathedral had been “taken over by gay activists”; and a Georgian congressman saying the bishop should be deported. Guardian article “Who is Marian Budde?”, here
Listed places of worship grant scheme extended for one year
The Heritage Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, has announced that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will be extended into the next financial year, providing £23 million so that thousands of historical buildings, including churches, synagogues, mosques and temples, can carry out restoration work. The scheme gives grants towards VAT paid on repairs and renovations, such as work on foundations, masonry and monuments. The scheme was believed to be under threat because of its cost, and MPS and faith leaders mounted a campaign to ensure its future. Sir Chris said places of worship provided a range of vital services to the public and many were architecturally stunning., so he was delighted the scheme would continue, despite tough fiscal challenges.
Starmer’s “strengthened resolve” for Holocaust memorial centre
The Prime Minister and his wife, Victoria, hosted a reception in Downing Street for Holocaust survivors, days before the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day. The guests included Auschwitz survivors Renee Salt, aged 95, with her son Martin, and Arek Hersh, with daughter Michelle; Mala Tribich, who survived Bergen-Belson with her son Jeffrey, and Harry Olmer, who survived five camps, with his daughter Julia. There were also people brought to the UK as children, by Kindertransport. Sir Keir Starmer visited Auschwitz last week and said it was “one of the most harrowing experiences” of his life. He told Jewish News that he vowed to ensure that “what happened in this unique and darkest of crimes must never be forgotten or diminished.” He told the Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions that the visit had strengthened his resolve to build a National Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre beside parliament.
Welsh revival bringing children into the church
An innovative church project, funded by the Church in Wales in three parishes on the North Wales coast, has brought in 160 children to church activities – a year ago there were only two children involved in church life. The Faith Alive project has started regular family-friendly worship with hands-on activities for children and young people, and a monthly Kids Club at the local community centre, offering Bible stories, arts and crafts, games, and a delicious picnic lunch provided by volunteers. There are also seasonal events such as summer rock-pooling sessions exploring creation, Halloween celebrations on a Christian theme, and interactive Christmas activities with nativity displays and craft workshops. The project encompasses three beautiful coastal villages between Bangor and Conway – Dwygyfylchi, Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan – where the minister is the Rev Andy Broadbent, an animal welfare inspector training to be a Deacon. Funding has also enabled the creation of a family space at St Mary and Christ Church in Llanfairfechan, with comfortable seating, a Lego table, children’s toys, library, and art area.
Unofficial chaplain to “The Traitors”
The Rev Lisa Coupland, who was a contestant on the BBC’s game show “The Traitors”, has been talking about her time in the house, praying frequently, being prepared to lie and forming close relationships with others which have continued after the show ended. She left with her honour as a “Faithful” intact, and a reputation as the only contestant to guess correctly the names of two traitors – Minah and Charlotte – intuitive detective work which the other contestants failed to act upon. In an interview with Premier Christian News, she said she wanted to show that priests were there for everyone and were human like everyone else. During her time on the show, she did reveal that she was a vicar, which stunned fellow contestants. Before the series recording, she had been specifically asked whether as a vicar, she could lie and she said she could, pointing to stories of people justifying deceit through the scriptures. She prayed frequently during the show asking God if she should carry on and said prayer got her through it. Despite the lying, she said real friendships were formed in the house and she has kept in touch with the players, becoming in effect the unofficial chaplain to the contestants.
US pastor faces fine and prison for letting homeless people stay in his church
A pastor in Ohio who opened his church to let homeless people and others stay inside overnight to escape the cold weather, has been found guilty of failing to comply with the city’s fire regulations. The Associated Press reports that Chris Avell, pastor of Dad’s Place Church in the city of Bryan, could face a $200 fine and up to 60 days in jail if he continues to let people stay. The court’s decision follows a legal battle going back to late 2023 between the church and the city over the legality of it operating as a temporary shelter for homeless people and others. Pastor Avell’s lawyer, Jeremy Dys, said “No pastor in America, including Pastor Avell, should ever be found guilty for just trying to help other people and provide them temporary shelter. Only a seasoned government official would think it is a safer idea to put people in subzero temperatures on the street than allow them to find warmth inside of a church.”
The ”pulse” of shared celebration at the Kumbh Mela festival
Explorer Levison Wood, known for his writing and documentary films, has travelled to the Kumbh Mela Hindu festival in northern India, the largest gathering on earth with 400 million attendees expected over a six-week period. Writing in The Telegraph, he speaks of the “collective pull” of the festival, with the overwhelming experience of sounds and colour creating a “pulse” of a shared communal event. He describes the holy men with coiled hair, saffron robes, painted faces or naked bodies smeared with ash, and the hundreds of thousands who bathe in the rivers seeking forgiveness of sins. But his overriding memory is the culture of hospitality, with a palpable sense of belonging and family celebration. His article is here
World’s first female Buddhist fire chaplain – in Cumbria
Jacquetta Gomes, a lifelong interfaith activist in Cumbria, has become the world’s first female Buddhist Fire Chaplain, offering spiritual support to firefighters and members of the fire and rescue service. She is the lead on interfaith in the Westmorland and Furness Diversity Equity and Inclusion Partnership and arranges events in Interfaith week, with Kendal known as the smallest town to hold an eight day weeklong programme of events. She is also a member of the World Congress of Faiths and active in her local community service volunteer group. Westmoreland Gazette article here.
