Reviews September 2024

06/09/2024 | Reform

FirebrandDirected by Karim AinouzCertificate 15121 minutesReleased 6 September

History. The Tudors. King Henry VIII wanted a male heir to the throne. His first wife failed to deliver, so he divorced her. When the Pope excommunicated him, Henry set up the … Read More

The music of grace

03/07/2024 | Reform

Tim Meadows has travelled a long way, from fundamentalism in the mountains of Virginia to leading a pioneering, inclusive spiritual community in Liverpool. This year he becomes the Moderator of the General Assembly for the United Reformed Church. He talked … Read More

Songs of faith: Isaac Watts

03/07/2024 | Reform

In a new column on hymn writers, Ana Gobledale reveals Isaac Watts’ inspiration

When young Isaac Watts was scolded for speaking in rhyme, he smartly replied,‘Oh, Father, do some pity take,and I will no more verses make.’

Watts was a … Read More

Here & now: Zeerak Shahbaz

03/07/2024 | Reform

My call was nurtured in the URC, says Zeerak Shahbaz

Moving to England from Pakistan in 2006, at the age of three, I continued my faith journey in a United Reformed Church in east London. I recall attending events with … Read More

Chapter & verse: Mark 6:39

03/07/2024 | Reform

Lance Stone walks in green pastures

It is a notable feature of the story of the feeding of the 5,000 that, apart from the resurrection, it is the only miracle that features in all four Gospels. As is usual in … Read More

Art in focus: July/August 2024

03/07/2024 | Reform

El AnantsuiThe Restless Earth, 2017Fabric and mixed media

This massive ‘cloth’ or hanging – or sculpture – is the work of Ghanaian artist El Anantsui. It is made from hundreds of flattened bottle tops, aluminium tins and other found objects, … Read More