The Week Ahead

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2018

Saturday 16 June

BBC Two, 9.00pm

The world’s oldest open art submission show, allowing anyone to submit their work for consideration, reaches its 250th year. Kirsty Wark and Jayson Mansaray follow the preparations for the annual extravaganza.

Trevor McDonald: Return to South Africa

Tuesday 19 June

ITV, 9.00pm

To mark what would have been Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday, Trevor McDonald returns to South Africa which he first visited at the height of the apartheid system. He asks whether South Africa is still a land of division, inequality and violent crime, or whether it has turned into the ‘Rainbow Nation’ Mandela had hoped for.

Britain’s Refugee Children

Wednesday 20 June

Channel 4, 10.00pm

Following the progress of six refugee children over a period of six months.

Law in Action

Thursday 14 June

BBC Radio 4, 8.00pm

Is moving justice online a good idea? In British Columbia they have done just that, with a new online tribunal handling things such as small claims and property disputes.

Father’s Day

Friday 15 June

BBC Radio 4, 9.00pm

Mark Thomas examines the ever-changing image of the father, revealing how seismic historical events and cultural awakenings have redefined the idea of fatherhood as a whole.

Something Understood

Sunday 17 June

BBC Radio 4, 6.05am

Dr Sarah Goldingay argues that it is possible to have a spiritual experience inspired by the natural world.

Grenfell Tower

Today marks the first anniversary of the fire at Grenfell Tower in London that cost 72 lives. We give thanks to the members and volunteers at Notting Hill Methodist Church and pray for all those affected by the tragedy. #greenforgrenfell

Refugee Week

This takes place from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 June and there are lots of events, resources and campaigns for you to get involved with.

Methodist Conference fringe events

The programme for fringe events taking place at the Methodist Conference (28 June−5 July, Nottingham) can be found here. Events include lunches, briefings, walks and concerts. Booking is required for some events.

Retreat

Book now for a retreat at Ladywell Convent, Godalming, from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 June, led by Past Vice-President, Gill Dascombe. The theme is ‘Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom’. For enquiries and to book, please email Brian Sherrell.

MWRC Annual Lecture

Dr Ulrike Schuler, Professor of Church History, Methodism and Ecumenism, at the Reutlingen School of Theology in Germany, will speak at the Manchester Wesley Research Centre lecture. The lecture, on Monday 18 June, 5pm at Nazarene Theological College, will be live-streamed here.

Book Aid

Bring along your unwanted theological books and make new discoveries on Saturday 16 June, 10am–4pm, to Digswell Village Church, Welwyn. Unsold items will be taken to the Book Aid Charitable Trust which provides books to churches and theological colleges overseas.

Maintenance Booker website

This new website helps to select accredited contractors experienced in the maintenance of churches, chapels and other historic buildings.

Faith and Belief Community Awards

Nominations for the Faith and Belief Community Awards 2018 are now open. The awards celebrate the work of local communities in making London a welcoming place for people of all faiths and beliefs. 

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 World Church: Christians in North and Central America, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Asia, as well as Britain and Ireland. The theme for next week’s A Word in Time Bible studies is ‘Watch and Pray’ by the Revd Geoffrey Farrar.

Video Thursday: Shahed’s Story

This week’s film by All We Can features Shahed, a Syrian refugee living in Jordan. The charity has supported children to overcome trauma, to manage emotions and to build good relationships between Syrians and Jordanians.