In this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, host Michael Wakelin chats to Revd Dr Helen Paynter. Helen will take over as our podcast host in our Summer series, beginning on 9th July. Helen Paynter, PhD, is a minister accredited by the Baptist Union of Great Britain, who now serves as tutor in Old Testament at the Bristol Baptist College. She …

Sienna and Annie discuss universal suffrage, politics and gender equality and being a mosquito. Huge leaps forwards in gender equality in the UK have been made in the almost 100 years since all women were allowed to vote. However, the gender pay gap remains stubbornly at 8%, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions and in politics, and…

In this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, host Michael Wakelin chats to Dr Lisa Adjei. Dr. Lisa Adjei is an international speaker and writer who holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry & Physiology from the University of Surrey in Guildford, where she was also a church leader for many years. Lisa is the founder of Sankofa Collective, an ecumenical ra…

Do we vote for the benefit of others as well as ourselves? Can a 15-year gap in life expectancy between the wealthiest and poorest be addressed through elections? Sienna talks to Bevan Powell, Director of Inclusion for the Methodist Connexional Team, about being an architect of change and how political engagement by people of faith might help creat…

With around 4 million people able to vote in a General Election for the first time in 2024, how can we help young people to engage and make their voices heard? Roo talks to Maya, Youth Assembly Moderator Elect for the United Reformed Church, about her attitude to voting and politics, and what changes she thinks would help young people to get more i…

In this week's episode of Politics in the Pulpit, host Michael Wakelin chats to Revd Dr Tim Judson. Reverend Doctor Tim Judson is a theologian and Baptist Minister passionate about the intersection of theology, arts, and social justice. He explores how beliefs shape lives, engaging with liberation theologies to challenge systemic inequalities. As o…

In this week's episode of Politics in the Pulpit, host Michael Wakelin chats to Revd Dr Jo Cox-Darling. Joanne Cox-Darling is Superintendent of the Wolverhampton Methodist Circuit, Chair of the Mission Committee, and trustee of the Southlands Methodist Trust. A lifelong proponent of holding the space for both justice and evangelism, Joanne continue…

A General Election has been called! How should churches and Christians engage? Join Simeon and Sienna as they talk about our call to ‘Love, Pray and Vote’, some of the issues we want to see on the election agenda, and how churches can be part of the democratic process through voter registration and holding hustings.Further reading/resources: https:…

In this week's episode of Politics in the Pulpit, host Michael Wakelin chats to Revd George Pitcher. George Pitcher is a visiting fellow at the LSE and an Anglican priest. He's a journalist and writer by background, an occasional broadcaster and a former senior adviser to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. He recently completed 10 years of ru…

This week, the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, stated that we are closer to nuclear escalation than at any point since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. Is he right and what can be done? In 2008, US nuclear weapons were removed from British soil. Now it looks like the US wants to send them back. Should the British public have a say? Listen to Annie and S…

In this week's episode of Politics in the Pulpit, host Michael Wakelin chats to Paul Kerensa. Paul is a British Comedy Award-winning writer, working on TV shows including Miranda, Not Going Out with Lee Mack, Top Gear, and many more. As a comedian he’s performed over 3000 gigs, from Montreal Comedy Festival to London’s Comedy Store, via countless c…

UPDATED 13 May to reflect an announcement from the Home Office on one of the issues raised in the episode.-----Roo talks to Fr Dominic Robinson and Revd Jennifer Mills-Knutsen, two of London's West End church leaders, about their recent letter denouncing the UK Government's approach to 'nuisance' rough sleeping in the Criminal Justice Bill.Further …

In this week's episode of Politics in the Pulpit, host Michael Wakelin chats his brother, Revd Mark Wakelin. Revd Mark Wakelin is a Methodist Minister in Chessington, in Greater London. Mark has been a Methodist Minister for over 40 years and was President of the Methodist Conference 2012-2013. He is currently Chair of Trustees of the Fellowship of…

In this week's episode of Politics in the Pulpit, host Michael Wakelin chats to Deacon Eunice Attwood. Deacon Eunice Attwood is the Church at the Margins Officer for the Methodist Church. Eunice brings over twenty years’ experience of ordained diaconal ministry from a variety of contexts, including theological education and city- and town-centred m…

In this week's episode of Politics in the Pulpit, host Michael Wakelin chats to Revd Hayley Young. Rev Hayley is currently the Regional Minister: co-team leader of Southern Counties Baptist Association. In 2022-2023 she was President of Baptist Together, she has a passion for encouraging churches to out hospitality at the heart of their mission and…

In this week's episode of Politics in the Pulpit, host Michael Wakelin chats to Rev Naomi Nixon. Naomi is CEO of the Student Christian Movement which has been at the forefront of putting progressive theology into action for over a century. As an Anglican priest, in addition to parish ministry, she has worked in clergy training, college chaplaincy a…

In our first episode of this new series, our new host, Michael, chats to Dave Tomlinson. Dave is an Anglican priest and chaplain to the St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, who holds a masters degree in modern hermeneutics. He is the author of many books including ’The Post-Evangelical’, ‘How to be a Bad Christian and a Better Human…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Jacky is chatting to Michael Wakelin. Michael will be our podcast host for the next series, beginning 9th April. Michael is known for his work in interfaith dialogue, media production, and academic contributions. He is currently the Executive Chair of the Religion Media Centre and Executive Producer…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Jacky is chatting to Chine McDonald. Chine McDonald is director of the religion think tank Theos. She is a regular writer and media commentator on issues of religion in public life, race, and gender. She is the author of ‘God Is Not a White Man: And Other Revelations’ and the upcoming 'Unmaking Mary…

Simeon and Paul discuss the impact they expect The Budget, announced on 6 March 2024, will have on people with the lowest incomes or those who are experiencing poverty or destitution.Further reading and action:https://jpit.uk/responding-to-the-budget-0324https://letsendpoverty.co.uk/Find us on:* twitter.com/publicissues* instagram.com/public.issues…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Jacky is chatting to Wendy Lloyd. Wendy lives and works on a croft on the Isle of Mull on the west coast of Scotland. She is a spiritual director, pilgrim guide and retreat facilitator under the name of her own fledgling project, Mull Another Way. She creates and curates worship resources for GoHeal…

Sienna and Steve T discuss why voting is important, the potential barriers people might face to voting this year and how churches can become accredited Voter Registration Champions.Further reading and action:https://www.voterchampion.org.uk/https://jpit.uk/the-view-from-a-cupboard-in-parliamenthttps://jpit.uk/electionFind us on:* twitter.com/public…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Jacky is chatting to Revd John Howard. John has been a Methodist Minister for over 40 years, working in areas of social deprivation before becoming Chair of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District. His last appointment was as a mission partner in Israel Palestine, where he has also served twice as…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Jacky is chatting to Bishop Olivia Graham. Olivia began her career in teaching and international development, including a period working for Oxfam in Somalia. She was ordained in 1997 serving in Garsington, Princes Risborough, and Burnham in the Diocese of Oxford, before becoming a Parish Developmen…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Jacky is chatting to Revd Yousouf Gooljary, a retired Anglican priest, currently working on projects challenging racism and the legacy of slavery in Scotland. Yousouf has two boys and three grandchildren, and works as a supply teacher in Edinburgh schools teaching science. His current responsibiliti…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Jacky is chatting to Revd Dr Alex Clare-Young. Alex is a minister in the United Reformed Church currently in a pioneering role in Cambridge city centre. A member of the Iona Community, Alex is a keen advocate for social justice, with a particular interest in LGBTQ+ theologies. Jacky and Alex discuss…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Jacky is chatting to Professor Anthony Reddie. Anthony Reddie is the Professor of Black Theology in the University of Oxford. He is the Director of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture in Regent's Park college, the University of Oxford and is also an Extraordinary Professor with the University…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Jacky is chatting to JPIT's newest member, Nathan McGuire. Nathan has long demonstrated a deep care for others and expresses his faith through loving action. Born and raised in South London, he came to faith during sixth form college before working as a Domestic Violence Prevention Practitioner at L…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, our new host, Jacky, is chatting to Alison Phipps. Alison is UNESCO Chair for Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts and Professor of Languages and Intercultural Studies at the University of Glasgow. She is a Member of the Iona Community. Jacky and Alison discuss preaching on the lection…

Annie and Steve talk about the climate-change-focused COP28, which begins today in the United Arab Emirates. They chat about the UK's role, what might happen as a result of the conference and how we can get involved.Further reading and action:https://jpit.uk/cop28https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/campaign-climate-justicehttps:/…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Chris is chatting to Rev Jacky Embrey. Jacky is a newly retired URC minister, just arrived in Kendal from Bolton. She has served the URC as Moderator in Mersey Synod, as a partnership minister in Bolton and Salford, and in Birmingham as Area Minister, and minister in five very different churches. Ja…

Annie asks Hannah Fremont-Brown about her role as the Anti-Poverty Movement Coordinator for the Methodist Church, why ending poverty matters to her, how we can get involved in the Let’s End Poverty movement and why now is the right time for this movement to emerge.Further reading and action:https://letsendpoverty.co.ukFind us on:* twitter.com/publi…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Chris is chatting to Rev Simon Ruth de Voil. Simon is an ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister, trained to be a sacred presence outside the conventions of traditional religion. As a sacred musician, spiritual mentor and worship leader he incorporates chant, storytelling and mindful practice to…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Chris is chatting to John Cooper. John Cooper is Director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. He finds joy in enabling people to live out their belief in a world built on peace and justice. He has previously worked for Christian Aid, the Joint Public Issues Team and All We Can. Chris and John discu…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Chris is chatting to Rev. David Hardman. David is a British Methodist Minister ordained in 1994, and is currently the Methodist Liaison Officer for Jerusalem. He has served churches and circuits in the city centre, inner-city and suburbs of Manchester and London. He has also worked for Christian Aid…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit Chris is chatting to Revd Sally Foster-Fulton. The Rt Revd Sally Foster-Fulton is Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for 2023-2024. Born and raised in South Carolina, she came to Glasgow to study on an exchange scholarship, then held roles as a Hospital Chaplain, Church of Sc…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit Chris is chatting to Caro Penney. Caro is a member of the Iona Community and of the United Reformed Church. She is currently warden of Iona Abbey - where the resident group live out the Community's commitment to radical hospitality. Previously she’s undertaken other roles within the Iona Community; b…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit Chris is chatting to Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal. Inderjit is currently working with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland to develop and Promote the Church of Sanctuary movement. He is founder of City of Sanctuary, and a former President of the Methodist Church. Inderjit is married to Kathy, they liv…

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, our new host, Chris, is chatting to Bishop Rob Wickham. Raised in Surrey, Bishop Rob Wickham studied geography at Durham University, specialising in urban regeneration. Bishop Rob has also completed an MA in Theology, politics and faith-based organisations, and has written another thesis on the crea…

On this week's episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Steve is chatting to Revd Chris Upton. Chris grew up on a small island in Essex, but has recently been landlocked in Haworth, West Yorkshire where he has been served as a Baptist minister since 2000 and a pastoral supervisor since 2019. At the start of this year he stood down from the pulpit and too…

On this week's episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Steve is chatting to Revd Terry Hinks. Terry is a United Reformed Church minister serving two churches in High Wycombe and Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. He has a longstanding concern for the environment and care for God’s creation, and is a member of the URC Thames North Synod’s Green Team. He is als…

This week, we share again a special episode of Politics in the Pulpit for the Season of Creation and Harvest, originally recorded in 2022. It features Revd David Coleman and Dr Ruth Valerio in conversation. David is a URC special category minister, working full-time and ecumenically across the whole of Scotland with Eco-Congregation Scotland, as th…

We're back! On this week's handover episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to incoming host, Revd Steve Tinning. Steve is currently the Baptist Union’s Public Issues Enabler, and a member of the Joint Public Issues Team. He’s previously served as a local minister in Southend on Sea where he was very involved in supporting refugees. At h…

Hannah F and Steve H reflect on the war in Ukraine, and what might be ahead as JPIT releases a briefing to support meaningful discussion about the ongoing conflict.Further reading and action:https://jpit.uk/issues/peacemaking/ukraineFind us on:* twitter.com/publicissues* instagram.com/public.issues* facebook.com/jointpublicissues* youtube.com/publi…

Roo talks to Hannah F-B about the Essentials Guarantee, who's behind it, the research that has been done and how a more realistic understanding of how much it costs to live in the UK would make a big difference for people receiving Universal Credit.Further reading and action:> https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/campaigns/guarantee-our-essen…

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Niall Cooper. Niall Cooper has been Director of Church Action on Poverty since 1997, and has been responsible for piloting a range of new approaches to anti-poverty work in the UK, and running high profile campaigns on asylum destitution, debt and food poverty. He is passionate about creating …

Steve and Hazel discuss the 'Anti-Boycott Bill' currently progressing through UK Parliament. Who does it target, what is it for and how might it curtail our civil liberties?Read more:> https://jpit.uk/banning-boycotts-and-divestments-have-we-not-learned-anything-from-south-africa> https://bills.parliament.uk/Bills/3475/publicationsFind us on:* twit…

JPIT’s Hannahs talk about the Government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, in light of the news that the Court of Appeal ruled the policy unlawful. Why is the Government pushing on with this policy and what could a compassionate and practical alternative look like?Read more:https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/information/what-is-the-illegal-mi…

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Rev. Charmaine Mhlanga. Charmaine is serving as a Newly Accredited Baptist Minister at Sundon Park Baptist Church in Luton. Charmaine is a Student Governor at Spurgeons College. Charmaine holds a Master’s Degree in Christian Thought and Practice, Professional Ministry and Practice, a BSc (Hons…

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Ali is chatting to Emily Shepherd. Emily is one of two Joint CEOs of the charity Welcome Churches and lives near Manchester. She co-founded Welcome Churches with Karina Martin in 2018, a charity whose vision is for every refugee to be welcomed by the local church. They discuss some of the lectionary readings for…