The Week Ahead

Nothing Like a Dame

Saturday 2 June

BBC Two, 9.00pm

Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith let the cameras in on a friendship that goes back more than half a century. The acting greats discuss their lives and careers, reminisce about their humble beginnings in the theatre, and reflect on love and loss.

Songs of Praise

Sunday 3 June
BBC One, 4.15pm

A look at how faith can help cancer sufferers and their families, featuring former Blue Peter and Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas who discusses coping with his wife’s death.

Journey in the Danger Zone: Iraq

Sunday 3 June

BBC Two, 8.00pm

Former soldier Adnan Sarwar explores Iraq to see how it has changed since he was last there as part of the British occupying force in 2003. 

Parole: A Calculated Risk

Friday 1 June

BBC Radio 4, 11.00am

Rex Bloomstein goes inside Britain’s prisons to observe the parole system in action, revealing how decisions are reached regarding the release of prisoners.

The Walk: For Richer, For Poorer

Saturday 2 June

BBC Radio 4, 10.30am

Journalist Cole Moreton walks across the London borough of Kensington, capturing real-life encounters with people to examine how the rich and poor live together every day.

Sunday Worship

Sunday 3 June

BBC Radio 4, 8.10am

A live morning service from Whitchurch Methodist Church in Cardiff with the Revd Dr Stephen Wigley.

1000 Letters

Can you write a letter to young people attending 3Generate? Your letter can help them be courageous in their faith, by sharing something of your own faith story. 

The 2018 Beckly Lecture

Former Education Secretary Baroness Gillian Shephard will speak at this year’s Conference on ‘Social Mobility: a task for us all’. The lecture is on Monday 2 July, 8pm in the Nightingale Hall, Nottingham. Register for your free place here.

Bible Month

Spend 30 days with Jonah by taking part in Bible Month. It is an opportunity for churches and circuits to spend a month focusing on a single biblical book.

Job vacancies

We have a variety of jobs and volunteering opportunities available: with the Connexional Team, around the Connexion and with the One Participant Programme.

Pilgrim prayers

Join others each Thursday, starting today, in praying for women who are overcoming violence. The World Council of Churches will release a prayer online, shared by members of ‘Pilgrim Teams’. They have been visiting communities in conflict to meet women facing sexual abuse, violence and other injustices.

Make a meal of it

Many elderly people are battling with isolation, trust and confidence issues. ‘Make a meal of it’ focuses on a long-term view of befriending and providing support. Resources are available to inspire churches to connect with older people by offering a fresh take on the community meal.

World Weekend of Prayer

This event on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 June unites adults and children across more than 40 countries. It is run by Viva, an international children’s charity, passionate about releasing children from poverty and abuse.

Study day

The next study day at Wesley Cottage, Trewint, Cornwall is on Monday 4 June and considers ‘Goings and Comings: Studies in Acts Chapters 1 and 2’.

This week in Parliament

You can find the UK parliamentary business online here. If you want to find out about the Scottish Parliamentary calendar, click here and the timetable for the National Assembly for Wales, click here.

Reflections
  

In the coming week, the Prayer Handbook encourages us to pray for the Church around the world and Christians in West Africa, Britain and Ireland. The theme for next week’s A Word in Time Bible studies is ‘The Cost of Discipleship’ by the Revd Gareth Hill.

Video Thursday: Reclaiming Jesus in a Time of Crisis

This week’s film shows how the Holy Spirit is at work even in the darkness of these difficult, political times. We feel the Spirit calling us to reclaim Jesus from those who have appropriated and hijacked his name for worldly power.