When Samantha isn’t helping parish treasures with their cashbooks, she works on the family farm with her husband and two young daughters. They breed pedigree Swaledale sheep and Limousin cattle high up in the Yorkshire Dales. As the lambing season draws to a close for them, Samantha reflects on old and new testament offerings.
In his latest blog, Paul reflects on giving things up for Lent. Not eating cakes or staying off the beer is only really a Lenten discipline if we use the time and resources we receive from doing it in to deepen our relationship with, and build our trust in, Jesus.
No Time To Wait report was published recently by North East Child Poverty Commission, and as the title suggests, there is no time to wait. Over one third of babies, children and young people in the region are growing up in poverty and one tenth are living below the very deep poverty line.
It’s the time of year to make New Year’s resolutions! The Giving team has put together some ideas for lasting and meaningful resolutions that will last past February. In his letter to the Philippians, Saint Paul writes: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength”. If God is the centre of our goals, we have a better chance for success.
Paul reflects on the powerful role of music at Christmas time, from Christmas pop songs playing in shops to popular carols and one of his favourites - Bleak Midwinter. Carols help Christians, as well as those who don't go to church, understand something about the reason for the season – Jesus Christ, God incarnate, the word made flesh, given as the greatest gift to us over 2,000 years ago.
Bishop Paul and his wife Rosemary have recently returned from a two week visit to Burundi and Rwanda where they have longstanding links.
Who needs a holiday? As those of us whose households run on term-time anticipate the joys/challenges of the six-week summer break, as the sun finally breaks through after a long cold and lonely winter, many of us will be planning a getaway. But will you need cash or debit?
When Samantha isn’t working as part of our generous giving team, she is raising lambs in the Dales!
A reflection about sacrifice and giving at Easter, written by Revd Paul Child, Parish Giving Advisor
