Life Issues

What does the imagery around Santa reveal about the attitudes and yearnings of our society? And while we’re about it, what do we think about him, is he compatible with the reason for the season? What should Christians engage with and what should they reject? And…..what should we tell our children? The history, the culture and the confusion of “Santa” it’s the Life Issues podcast available now on UCB player.

What does it mean have hope? The Bible talks a lot about it. Jeremiah 29 – says God has plans to give us a hope and a future. So, in a world where often people feel hopeless- what can we do? Is there a way to hold on to hope, when the skies darken, the wind blows, and the storm roars? Howard Satterthwaite, Author of Hold on to Hope joins Paul for this week’s Life Issues A plan to give you a hope and a future.

What happened when God told Andrew Mitchell to stop releasing worship music, walk away from a record deal, and as a married couple, focus on deepening their faith roots? Andrew and Jill joined Vicky Gibbens for this week’s Life Issues as they discuss what it means to have ‘Christ in us,’ and to hope for true glory?

I confess that I have often struggled with the way Mary the mother of Jesus was portrayed by the church. That ethereal/ “holy”/standing to one side with a radiant smile – insipid imagery of a white, often blue eyed, westernised Madonna with only her hair colour as a nod to her true ethnicity – often deified into an unattainable ideal by Catholicism, and sidelined into an image of subservience by the reformation – could we be hiding the true strength and influence of “the handmaid of the Lord” in Jesus life and ministry?LI podcast – available now on UCB player - “the Virgin Mary..." disciple and prophet, as well as a mum

Have you ever thought about a title for your autobiography? When Bishop Rose Hudson Wilkin was appointed as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, the next morning in the paper she was referred to as “The girl from Montego Bay.” Though what she felt they meant to disparage, she made a thing of honour. Paul Hammond is joined by Bishop Rose to talk about racism, sexism and how your yesterday doesn’t have to define your today on this week’s Life Issues “Bishop Rose “The girl from Montego Bay.”