Reviews April 2022

28/03/2022 | Reform

Sins of the flesh

BenedettaDirected by Paul VerhoevenCertificate 18, 131 minutesReleased 15 April

The Dutch director Paul Verhoeven revels in controversy. In Hollywood, he pushed the boundaries of taste with the violent Robocop in 1987 and the sexually explicit Basic … Read More

Chapter & verse: Revelation 22: 1-5

28/03/2022 | Reform

Lucy Brierley explores Revelation’s vision of the world to come

We were recently on a car journey when Toby, our six-year-old, quite out of the blue, remarked: ‘I really hope God makes the new earth tomorrow.’ My husband and I … Read More

The churches that make us: Peedie Kirk, Orkney

28/03/2022 | Reform

Continuing a series covering the breadth of churches in the URC, Reform visits Kirkwall

All churches face barriers to overcome in their ecumenical relationships, but the Peedie Kirk in Orkney has its own special obstacles: its twice yearly joint service … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘Amid the encircling gloom, lead thou me on’

21/03/2022 | Reform

Sheila Maxey is on a medical rollercoaster

My pilgrim way at present is a rollercoaster, flinging me up and down. On 25 January, Kees was taken into hospital at 3am by the paramedics. Soon diagnosed with double pneumonia, they started … Read More

A good question: What makes a good leader?

25/02/2022 | Reform

One question, four answers

DAVID SALSBURY‘A good leader is also a follower’

There are many right answers to this question – and if recent events in British politics are anything to go by, quite a few wrong ones too!…

David … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘I think I must have that song at my funeral’

25/02/2022 | Reform

Sheila Maxey lifts her eyes to the roof

Our son came to talk through a ‘Respect’ document with us. (It stands for Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment.) One question was: ‘On the spectrum from “Keep me alive … Read More