Dismal framing. Every aspect of most asylum seekers’ lives is controlled & paid for by the Home Office. They can’t work, are told where to live & have no autonomy or dignity. So they aren’t *choosing* to use taxis & don’t need to be “banned” from doing so. The HO just needs to get its act in order.

My understanding of the BBC investigation was that many of the asylum seekers themselves thought it was ludicrous they were being bundled into taxis to make journeys to medical appointments and were calling for change. If that's the case, this headline isn't helpful.

Whenever I see politicians taking Bible verses completely out of context to try and win an argument, I just think to myself 'Jesus wept'.

NEW on the SCM Press blog: We speak to @chrisshannahan.bsky.social about his research into austerity-age poverty in the UK and his new book. scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/blog/why-do-...

Morning all. You can take the man out of the UK but you can't take GMT out of the man.

Update: not magnificent. As you were 🏏⚱️

84 for 6. COME ON #TheAshes 🏏

. . . . . . . (some silence for your feed)

okay, friends, let's do something community-oriented and helpful. #sblaar25 veterans, drop your best conference advice for first-time attendees. be sure to signal boost so folks across bluesky can add on/peruse.

AAR/SBL peeps, advance warning that I will be Very Unavailable after 9:30 PM, Boston time. (And also very tired)

Heading to Boston for #AARSBL25 or possibly #SBLAAR25 at the end of the week. See ya'll there if ya'll are there 👋

Calling all educators! Are you involved in delivering education in theology/biblical studies/religious studies etc? Librarians, this includes you! We want your feedback on our books - and there's a prize draw to enter at the end. Survey closes 2nd January. Click here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

I share, or nearly share an email with someone in the US, and as a result have (quite genuinely) just been headhunted for a role as a structural engineer working on roller coaster design. This identity mix-up could well be the start of a golden era for the US theme park industry.

"In an age of distraction, division, and digital noise, people are not turning away from spirituality, but seeking ways to explore and nurture it; and yet, in their efforts to attract people, some churches look to the marketplace . . . rather than what is under their noses."

We are in a season where the Church often turns to think about and offer space for grief and bereavement. Been thinking about what it means (and how the church can help) to grieve and remember those who are still alive, but because of the cruelty of dementia are also somehow lost to us ♥️

"In a world of noise, Hungry Paul was enjoying a rare moment of silence, with a room full strangers" Loved Leonard and Hungry Paul, and would like to see Hungry Paul employed by the C of E to teach the church about how, sometimes, a simple companionable silence might be just what it needs to offer..

Crikey Nora. That's all I'll say

I mean I love a Tim Tam just as much as the next guy but that is a cracking result, and the perfect consolation for yesterday's humiliation. Plus pleased to see Jemi Rodrigues produce such a special innings. She is up there as one of my favourite players outside of England. #CWC25 #INDvAUS 🏏

Publication day...congrats to Chris Whittington and the School of Contemplative Life Order here: canterburypress.hymnsam.co.uk @canterburypress.bsky.social

More lovely books. I've been banging on about how extraordinary Decomposing Holy Ground is for a while, but I'll do so again now. Trust me: It. Is. Breathtaking.

Freshly baked and in the office, the excellent @canterburypress.bsky.social October frontlist.

I am a late-comer to this but so far it is an extraordinary, bewitching, transporting read. To get some measure of how much I am enjoying it, consider that I am currently *actively looking forward* to my journeys on the 0645 to Waterloo.

Is there a more completely dominant team in any sport than the Australia women's cricket team? They've only lost something like 5% of their ODIs in the past 5 years. They can win from anywhere. And they almost certainly will. Terrifying.

School trying to persuade us about the value of family park run, but accidentally selling us church:

Cracking match that. #ENGvIND

At the Frankfurt Book Fair with our wonderful translation rights representative, Hosung Maeng. He's responsible for selling foreign language rights of our titles globally. (Also, look carefully for a sneaky peek at Canterbury Press's shiny new logo, coming soon)

Among other things today is a good day to recognise and appreciate the excellent journalism from my colleagues at @churchtimes.bsky.social Their coverage today, from what I saw, blew that of the larger mainstream media outlets out of the water...

BREAKING: The next Archbishop of Canterbury is to be the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London since 2018, Downing Street has announced. She is to be the first woman to hold the post #archbishopofcanterbury #nextABC #Archbishop106 www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...

Our demands are simple: Claudia Winkleman saying "and the next Archbishop of Canterbury is...", followed by a teasingly long pause, dramatic drum beats, spotlights, and the camera panning to a close up of each candidate in turn.

Huge day, with a significant announcement: The 6 year old is now a 7 year old.

This is a fascinating story, compellingly told by Azariah France-Williams, now the vicar of the church where it all took place. Fully recommend. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...

There has never been a more appropriate moment to post this meme. Thank you Steve Carell. Thank you Church of England.

Not a comfortable listen, but a fascinating one. Adopting "talk me through how you got there" as a helpful question for our times. pca.st/episode/07b8...

Proper finale this is going to be. As an armchair Surrey fan, it's not ideal but as a general cricket fan, it's perfect. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...

Scenario: You have £40 birthday cash to spend on books. You want a pile of riveting, immersive reads which take you to other worlds or times. Real escapism. Also, nothing too taxing (books are your day job, this is for your down time). What are you getting? #booksky #findmeabook

Absolutely delighted with this, tbh

Well, this is just as phenomenal as I'd expected... @scholarpriest.bsky.social and Beth Dodd have gathered a veritable feast of poetry. Coming 2026.

This seems to me a good statement from Gavin Calver, CEO of Evangelical Alliance. We could do with a few more of these.

On a train from Waterloo on Sat, some protestors sat near me started singing the name of a well-known far right activist. It's not like I was a journo looking to the extremes for a good story. It was just there, loudly, unashamedly, in my carriage. Let's be discerning, and careful, but not naive.

Bonhoeffer said "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."

Quite the day. Moving and energising to spend the day reflecting with 200 preachers on the theme of "Preaching Truth to Power". More so to be doing so in Southwark cathedral not far away from 100,000 far right protestors. And even more so with Southwark Cathedral's peace doves hovering overhead.

Just a few days now until the Festival of Preaching day event 'Preaching Truth to Power'. Still some tickets available, and you can also buy livestream tickets to watch live or later at your convenience. It's going to be a cracking day festivalofpreaching.hymnsam.co.uk

Just a week to go until the Festival of Preaching day, 'Preaching Truth to Power', with speakers including Bishop Mariann Budde, who famously preached at Trump's inauguration. Tickets going fast, but still some left...don't miss it. festivalofpreaching.hymnsam.co.uk

As well as a sparkling selection of book publishing imprints, we also publish 5 journals/small periodicals - Magnet, Crucible, Concilium, JLS and the Preacher. We're looking for a new part time Managing Editor to oversee this work ... job ad below, do share! jobs.churchtimes.co.uk/jobs/Managin...

Licensed lay ministers are facing constant abuse these days.

Only one more day to reserve your place at the launch for A Heavy Yoke by Selina Stone in central London on the 11th. The evening will include a book signing, artwork, a Q&A and resources from charities. There will be refreshments too: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/events

It's the attention to detail I love

As well as a sparkling selection of book publishing imprints, we also publish 5 journals/small periodicals - Magnet, Crucible, Concilium, JLS and the Preacher. We're looking for a new part time Managing Editor to oversee this work ... job ad below, do share! jobs.churchtimes.co.uk/jobs/Managin...

"But the Samaritan picked the man off the road and paid for him to stay in an inn (surrounded by angry protestors) but told him he could stay longer if he learned the local language to a level beyond that of most of the locals, and also under the condition that he stay separated from his family"

BBC headline today: "Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is to announce a tightening of rules for migrants granted asylum bringing their families to the UK" Meanwhile, 5 years ago: