The Week Ahead

Portillo’s Hidden History of Britain

Friday 20 April

Channel 5, 9.00pm

Michael Portillo visits four abandoned locations that were at the centre of relatively unknown historical events, yet have importance in Britain’s past.

Buena Vista Social Club

Friday 20 April

BBC4, 9.00pm

Wim Wenders’ superb Oscar-nominated documentary charts legendary guitarist Ry Cooder’s 1996 visit to Cuba to meet some of the country’s finest musicians, with a view to organising a once-in-a-lifetime concert at Carnegie Hall.

Imagine – Habaneros: You Say You Want a Revolution?

Saturday 21 April

BBC2, 9.00pm

Documentary exploring the lives of Havana residents in the wake of Raul Castro stepping down as President of Cuba. The film looks back on the history of their city from being established as a Spanish colony to Fidel Castro’s revolution, and examines what the future may hold in the face of a US trade blockade.

Something Understood

Sunday 22 April

BBC Radio 4, 6.05am

Dr Rowan Williams explores the idea of pilgrimage as a preparation for the final passing to the other side after death.

Sunday Worship

Sunday 22 April

BBC Radio 4, 8.10am

The Bishop of Edmonton explores stories of hope across inner city London, including the city’s largest knife amnesty bin and a social enterprise established in a church basement.

The Listening Service

Sunday 22 April

BBC Radio 3, 5.00pm

Is music a universal language? Is it an essential good? What is music good for? The Listening Service asks one of the most fundamental questions we can about music.

A Time for Joy

Gawsworth Methodist Church, Macclesfield, is celebrating its 125th anniversary from Friday 20 April to Sunday 22 April, with a flower festival that takes you on a spiritual journey through the chapel. After the festival on Sunday, there will be a ‘Songs of Praise’ service. The opening times are Friday 2-5pm, Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 2-5pm. Email Jane Clarkson for more information.

Thy Kingdom Come

With just over three weeks to go, all Christians are invited to take part in this year’s Thy Kingdom Come (Thursday 10 May – Sunday 20 May). Resources include a new video series to share with your church networks, content for your social media platforms and a new website and app that will be launched shortly. Keep an eye out for these.

Letting in the Light: Positive steps for peace in a turbulent world

This is a joint conference of the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Church Peace Fellowships, from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 April at Hinsley Hall, Leeds. The keynote speaker is Kim Leadbeater, the sister of murdered MP Jo Cox.

Together in Mission Week

Across the Birmingham District, churches celebrate Together in Mission Week (Sunday 22 – Sunday 29 April). It is a time of challenge, celebration and intentional community.

Appreciative Inquiry

There’s still time to book for the course, A Taste of Appreciative Inquiry (AI): Introducing Appreciative Inquiry Theory and Practice, from Monday 23 to Tuesday 24 April, at Cliff College, Calver. AI is a way of working in church to explore development and change.

Homelessness: have we lost our Christianity in our caring?

    
This event on Tuesday 24 April at Hinde Street Methodist Church, London, explores the integration between faith and action. It is aimed at those who work alongside homeless or vulnerable people. Register your free place here.

ONE Intern

Do you know anyone aged 21-26 who is interested in gaining invaluable experience and growing their faith in a unique setting? If so, the ONE Intern may be just right! Apply here.

Dalit History Month

The Revd Dr Vincent Manoharan is speaking this month about Dalit theology and caste discrimination. The events are: Wednesday 25 April at the Amos Trust, London, Friday 27 April at Queen’s College, Birmingham (chaired by the Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal) and Monday 30 April at Manchester Cathedral. Please contact David Haslam.

JPIT Internships

The Joint Public Issues Team have two vacancies for one full-time and one part-time year-long internships, paid at the London Living Wage. Starting in September 2018, these vacancies are based in central London. Apply here before Tuesday 1 May.

Cliff College vacancies

Two new Evangelist posts have been announced at Cliff College. For more information, click here.

Action for Children

Sir Tony Hawkhead stepped down as Chief Executive of Action for Children in February 2018. The charity has announced that Julie Bentley will be joining as their new Chief Executive from Wednesday 1 August.

This week in Parliament

You can find this week’s 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 will be encouraging us to pray with Christians in Asia-Pacific, Britain and Ireland. The theme for next week’s A Word in Time Bible studies is Alive in the Spirit, written by Alan Bolton.

Video Thursday: Mission at Flavel Methodist Church
  

This week’s film features Flavel Methodist Church, Dartmouth, on their story of renewal and new hope.