The Week Ahead

Travels in Trumpland with Ed Balls
Sunday 29 July

BBC Two, 9.00pm

The former MP explores America’s deep south to meet the people who voted Donald Trump into power and discover their motivations for supporting him.

Poldark

Sunday 29 July

BBC One, 9.00pm

Last in series. Elizabeth obtains a potion to force an early labour in the hope that George’s fears that he is not the father will disappear as soon as the child is born. Ross returns to Cornwall in the aftermath of his duel, hoping to make things right with Demelza.

Get Rich or Die Young – Panorama
Monday 30 July

BCC 2, 8.30pm

Life expectancy in Britain varies dramatically depending upon where people live. In Stockton-on-Tees, people can only expect to live to 71, while their wealthier neighbours a couple of miles away will live an average of 14 years longer.

Heart and Soul
Unearthing the Past in Srebrenica

Friday 27 July

World Service, 1.30pm

Sasha was six years old when Serb soldiers drove into his home town of Mostar – his Muslim family was a mix of Bosnian and Serbs and the war ripped it apart.

In Therapy 

Saturday 28 July

BBC Radio 4, 9.45am

Psychotherapist Susie Orbach explores the private relationship between therapist and patient. Today, Susie meets Natalie. She works for an upmarket estate agent. Her faith is very important to her.

Good Morning Sunday

Sunday 29 July

BBC Radio 2, 6.05am

Rachel Gardner is the President of the Girls’ Brigade England and Wales. Her book ‘The Girl De-Construction Project’ is described as a manifesto to empower women of all ages.

Death penalty                                

The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference have released a statement regarding two Islamic State fighters who have had their British citizenship removed and are now facing the death penalty.

Responding to tragedies

The President and Vice-President have offered prayers on their blog following the recent fires in Greece and the flooding caused by the burst dam in Laos.

The statements can be read here.                      

Youth Presidency
                         

Applications are now open for the next Methodist Youth President. The role involves travel and work around the Connexion and overseas, supporting young people and leading worship. Applicants must be aged 18 – 23 on 1 August 2019 and either be, or intend to become, a member of the Methodist. More information can be found here.

World Day against people trafficking

Monday 30 July is World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This year, the United Nations has chosen ‘responding to the trafficking of children and young people’ as the focus of the day, highlighting the fact that almost a third of trafficking victims are children. Read more here.

Church Consult

A new, peer-driven initiative for church based leaders, has been launched in partnership with the Susanna Wesley Foundation. The consortium of experienced practitioner theologians who have worked in both church, business, and academic environments over many years are offering a reflective and strategic space at three events. Click here to read more.

Historic religious buildings

The Historic Religious Building Alliance’s and Purcell UK’s training day takes place in Cambridge on 3 October. This year’s theme is Planning and Managing Major Building Projects in Places of Worship. For more information and to book, click here.

This week in Parliament

The UK Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament are all in recess.

Reflections
  

In the coming week the Prayer Handbook encourages us to pray for the World Church, Christians in Central Europe and Africa as well as Britain and Ireland. The theme for next week’s A Word in Time Bible studies is ‘Imitating Christ.’

Video Thursday: MHA Chaplaincy – Care of the Spirit

In this week’s video we meet Richard Golding, chaplain at MHA’s Starr Hills Care Home in Lytham St Annes, and learn about its award-winning Chaplaincy service focusing on the ‘spirit’.