Art in focus: October 2020

28/09/2020 | Reform

The Good Samaritan (after Delacroix)Vincent van Gogh, oil on canvas

When he painted this picture, van Gogh was himself in need of care. He was living in Saint-Paul psychiatric asylum, in the south of France, where he had arrived exhausted, … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘This is no ordinary Christmas…’

28/09/2020 | Reform

Paul Kerensa imagines a Covid-era Christmas

Christmas markets will struggle this year. Which local creators, sole traders and small businesses can you support? Encourage family or friends to get behind your local artistes and artisans.

I normally save my inevitable … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘I feel both excited and daunted’

28/09/2020 | Reform

Sheila Maxey prepares for a spacious new phase

Provisional’ seems to be the word these days. Coffee after church by the end of the month? Probably not. Carol services, heartily sung, at Christmas? Possibly. Visiting an ageing cousin in Germany … Read More

Commitment-Phobe: Compassion please

28/09/2020 | Reform

Can churches encourage self-compassion?

As you read this, it’s October. Children throughout the country, including my own, will hopefully have spent a month at school without complications, quarantines, or lockdowns. Many people will be doing some version of their old … Read More

Chapter & verse: Numbers 6:22-27

28/09/2020 | Reform

Alison Gray examines the Aaronic blessing

One of the beautiful and inspiring things to come out of lockdown was a wave of recordings of the blessing prayer, from singers and musicians around the world. Singers and musicians covered Elevation Worship’s … Read More

Here & now: Maxine Harrison

28/09/2020 | Reform

Maxine Harrison champions diversity

The tragic killing of George Floyd on 25 May, and the revival of the Black Lives Matter movement, has brought the issue of racial injustice to the forefront once again, but on a much more global … Read More