Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘As many nonconformists together as you can shake a bishop’s crozier at’

24/06/2022 | Reform

Paul Kerensa gets together in Nailsworth

In my day job as a stand-up (well, evening job), I tour the land doing comedy shows for churches – which this week led me to the delightful Cotswold town of Nailsworth. Winding down … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘Will this summer see the much fêted return of the fête?’

28/05/2022 | Reform

Paul Kerensa enjoys the return of the village fête

I wonder if your neck of the woods will be returning to outdoor gatherings of old this summer? No, not that old. Not druids at henges or ye ancient maypole.

I … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘We gravitate towards numbered lists. The Ten Commandments is still the most famous part of the Bible.’

27/04/2022 | Reform

If this article was on BuzzFeed, the home of internet lightweight clickbait, it would be entitled: ‘10 Reasons the Ten Commandments is the Original Biblical Listicle’. Even if it didn’t quite live up to the headline.

If you’re not familiar … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘They have a “mini church” once a week in breaktime. They’re eight. It’s unusual’

28/03/2022 | Reform

Paul Kerensa appreciates the interfaith work of eight-year-olds

Recently at my daughter’s school, RE spilled over into the playground. It started with a conversation – my eight-year-old daughter and her friend talking about their religions. ‘I’m a Christian, she’s a … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘I immersed myself in Marconi, Melba and microphones’

25/02/2022 | Reform

As a writer and comedian, sometimes I get to pen columns like this one (thank you, Reform, for giving a stand-up a home, especially when all the gigs went quiet – I’m sure that for a few months in 2020, … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘Thousands of children at churches across the country could do the same’

28/01/2022 | Reform

Paul Kerensa gulps to see his children acting in church

My children were recently asked to help with the church drama slot. Well, no, they were asked to do the church drama slot. A five-minute sketch on John the Baptist. … Read More