The Hopeful Activists' Podcast (Rich Gower and Abigail Thomas)

This week we are bringing you something different - we are joining in with podcast feeds across the world to bring you Everybody Now, a podcast about climate emergency in a time of systemic injustice and a global pandemic.

Everybody Now

Climate Emergency and Sacred Duty

We’ve caused a turning point in the Earth’s natural history. Everybody Now is a podcast about what it means to be human on the threshold of a global climate emergency, in a time of systemic injustice and runaway pandemics. Scientists, activists, farmers, poets, and theologians talk bravely and frankly about how our biosphere is changing, about grief and hope in an age of social collapse and mass extinction, and about taking action against all the odds.

With contributions from:

Dr. Gail Bradbrook - scientist and co-founder of Extinction Rebellion

Prof. Kevin Anderson - Professor of Energy and Climate Change at the University of Manchester

Dámaris Albuquerque - works with agricultural communities in Nicaragua

Dr. Rowan Williams - theologian and poet, and a former Archbishop of Canterbury

Pádraig Ó Tuama - poet, theologian and conflict mediator

Rachel Mander - environmental activist with Hope for the Future

John Swales - priest and activist, and part of a community for marginalised people

Zena Kazeme - Persian-Iraqi poet who draws on her experiences as a former refugee to create poetry that explores themes of exile, home, war and heritage

Flo Brady - singer and theatre maker

Hannah Malcolm - Anglican ordinand, climate writer and organiser

Alastair McIntosh - writer, academic and land rights activist

David Benjamin Blower - musician, poet and podcaster

Funding and Production: 

This podcast was crowdfunded by a handful of good souls, and produced by Tim Nash and David Benjamin Blower

Permissions:

The song Happily by Flo Brady is used with permission.

The song The Soil, from We Really Existed and We Really Did This by David Benjamin Blower, used with permission.

The Poem The Tree of Knowledge by Pádraig Ó Tuama used with permission.

The Poem Atlas by Zena Kazeme used with permission.

The Poem What is Man? by Rowan Williams from the book The Other Mountain, used with permission from Carcanet Press.

Hannah Rich from Theos talks to Abi about the false binary between social action and evangelism, and giving people an opportunity to experience the love and hospitality in church through volunteering and hospitality.

Download the report here:

https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/research/2000/01/31/the-grace-project

Register for the Praxis Labs here:

https://praxiscentre.org/labs/register/

Details on MAN mentoring events here:

https://www.manmentoring.org.uk

Micah Purnell has a love/hate relationship with advertising - admiring the craft of advertisers, but concerned about the impact on society of being saturated with images that negatively impact our self-esteem.

He crosses over between art and design making images that benefit our soul, promote virtues and make us think.

To see Micah's work visit micahpurnell.com

For more information about the Theology Slam go to churchtimes.co.uk/theology-slam

If you would like to find out more about The Hopeful Activists' Community visit praxiscentre.org/community/

Jo Musker-Sherwood led the climate lobbying specialist organisation, Hope for the Future, until she couldn't anymore. The urgency of the climate crisis is putting pressure on many people in the environmental sector. Jo's experience of burnout, and her recovery has led her to research and resource others with emotional resilience strategies.

Jo explores how re-connecting with nature, her faith and her daily strategies for dealing with eco-anxiety have been key in her recovery.

Jo's blog is here:

https://www.climateemergence.co.uk/blog

You can book the events mentioned here:

https://www.methodist.org.uk/wellbeingandactivism

https://hopefulactivists.captivate.fm/selfcareclimateevent

The camping trip Jo talks about was with Change In Nature. More information here:

https://www.changeinnature.org

Ben Lindsay runs his charity "Power the Fight" like a record label. Hear about his unique approach to helping communities end youth violence.

Find out more and donate here.

A special episode about faith and mental health. Please be aware that this episode includes reference to sexual assault, suicide and self-harm. 

Today we hear from three brilliant contributors. 

Aaron Shah from Worship on the Streets shares his personal mental health journey.  His book is called Being Still, A Quiet Revolution and you can get a copy here, or by signing up at his Patreon. You can hear more from him on this previous episode.

Bryn Abbott works for Mercy UK and talks to us about The Big Christian Mental Health Campaign. Do look at their website for more details on The Freedom Course.

James Crystal is a mentor to young men coming out of prison with the brilliant organisation In2Out. He is also a speaker and he shares his story of recovery from addiction and mental health struggles.

For other support with your mental health visit the NHS here if you are in the UK. You can also get support from The Samaritans. 

Augustine Tanner-Ihm is the winner of this years Theology Slam! Abi celebrates with him and Augustine shares why the theology of race is so vital today and how to recover from abuse and stay passionate for Jesus.

The Theology Slam 2020 Final is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn4WuoboBLw

Theology Slam is a collaboration between SCM Press, Church Times, London Institute for Contemporary Christianity and St Anselm’s Community.

Dr Ruth Valerio is Global Advocacy and Influencing Director at Tearfund. She shares the story of how she became an environmentalist, theologian and social activist and gives us some great practical advice on making positive changes and dealing with the climate crisis.

To join in with Tearfund's amazing work, visit:

www.tearfund.org/action

You can find Ruth's new book, Saying Yes to Life here:

www.tearfund.org/saying_yes 

A super short episode to draw our attention to the new resource from Jubilee+ called Voting Like Jesus. Natalie Williams calls on Christians to engage with politics, to pray and to look honestly at our own hearts, as we face a general election.

Huge congratulations to Ben Lindsay, founder and CEO of Power the Fight and all the staff for their award of charity of the year at the Charity Times Awards 2023. And Ben also won Social Media Leader of the Year!

We thought a great way to celebrate their win would be to remind you of this inspiring interview with Ben from 2021.

Power the Fight is an incredible charity tackling violence affecting young people. One example of how they do that is running a therapeutic support programme which is reducing school exclusions in London. In this interview Ben shares his spiritual journey with Abi, we talk about how and why he founded Power the Fight, including the importance of prayer and lament in that journey. We also touch on his incredible book We Need To Talk About Race. There is another episode with Ben that covers more of the topics raised in the book in our archive here.

Donate to Power the Fight here!

This episode includes references to suicide attempts and gambling addiction.

A gambling addiction put a wrecking ball through Nick's life, costing him his business, home, his family and his mental health. Nick and Donna share their journey together through Nick's addiction, finding faith, relapsing and now running a community cafe together in a former bookies. A story of hope from the depths of despair.

For support around mental health issues visit mind.org.uk

For support with gambling addiction visit www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk

Hold on to your hats as Natalie Collins talks about effecting change in the church and obedience to God. She says "we don't need too many of me", but we disagree!

Also Abi and Rich have a slightly awkward conversation involving periods.

nataliecollins.info

praxiscentre.org

twitter @hopefulactivism

facebook @hopefulactivists

Music used with permission, thank you Dr J and Mira.

https://drjpresents.bandcamp.com/

Rev. Edwin Arrison, an anti-apartheid activist and close friend of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, tells us about the life of The Arch, and his own life of activism and hope.

Edwin now works for the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation and is Director of the Volmoed Youth Leadership Training Programme.

There is snow in Africa. Author of "God is not a white man and other revelations" Chine McDonald talks to Abi about racism in international development and fundraising. They may also ruin your favourite Christmas album...sorry.

Buy Chine's book here

Richard Reddie is the author of Martin Luther King Jr History Maker. He tells Abi how Dr King inspired his own work for justice and inclusion.

https://www.eden.co.uk/shop/martin-luther-king-jr-3975550.html

https://ctbi.org.uk/new-ctbi-director-of-justice-and-inclusion/

Dr Bex Lewis is a Senior lecturer in digital marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University. She is also living with Metastatic Breast Cancer, for which there are treatments to extend life, but no cure.

Abi and Bex talk about living in hope with a terminal illness, as well as listening to Bex's wisdom on digital engagement and the church.

https://drbexl.co.uk

https://linktr.ee/drbexl

Twitter and TikTok @drbexl

@METUPUKorg is an activist & advocacy group aiming to turn metastatic breast cancer into a chronic illness and support patients.

As we sit in the grief of Good Friday Bonté Uwimana brings to life the story we have heard so many times.

With the UK government's "Homes for Ukraine" launching Rich and Abi explore how to best support refugees from all over the world.

We hear from refugees about what they need now they are in the UK, and from an experienced host, and founder of Hope at Home, Helen Hodgson about her misgivings about the government scheme, racism, how to spot signs of trafficking and the simplicity and blessing of opening your home.

For more information:

Hosting:

Hope at Home

Full episode with Helen and Jared

Family Reunion:

Refugee Action

Digital Inclusion:

Action Foundation

Do you have concerns about modern day slavery?

Call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or the police on 101. In an emergency always call 999.

Addicted to alcohol but in denial Jenny had an invitation to a BBQ at a new church plant on her estate. She met Jesus and her life has been transformed. Jenny is now a leader at a Celebrate Recovery group in Bolton, bringing the hope of lasting change to the people she meets.

https://www.celebraterecovery.com

twitter @oldhamschurch

Sarah Corbett is an award-winning campaigner with 30 years’ practical experience as an activist. Sarah found the constant pressure to get people to sign up to campaigns, with little real engagement or compassion, exhausting. As an antidote to burnout she found a way to use her creativity to protest in a careful, thoughtful way; using emotional intelligence and neuroscience to engage with power-holders in a meaningful way.

We talk about how both introverts can benefit from her approach to activism, avoiding the messiah complex and how real, long term change requires time and patience.

You can find out more and adopt a craftivist here:

https://craftivist-collective.com/

Chris Gillies presents a reflection on redemptive practice in our working lives, whether that’s working for money, or the many other ways that you are using your time. It’s a deep reflection, and we would love to hear your responses to it!

Chris Gillies spent 36 years working in financial services and shares some of his fascinating story on the LICC website, where you can also find some amazing resources to help you follow Jesus in your Monday - Saturday life.

licc.org.uk/resources/business-with-god/

The blog post Chris has kindly written to accompany this episode is here:

praxiscentre.org/podcast/life-changing-work-chris-gillies/

Three incredible young people from Bradford share the interviews they have created especially for us. Ryan, Faith and Julia are from an incredible local youth project called e:merge. Abi has loved working with them to gain the technical and interview skills they have needed and we are so impressed with the results.

The Highs and Lows of Community Nursing

Ryan chose to speak to his sisters community nurse Sam Barrett.

Saving Lives and the Dark Humour That Comes With It

Faith interviewed her neighbour and paramedic Jon Robinson.

Boys, Sex Education and Andrew Tate

Julia decided to interview Kirsty Ferguson from Step2.

Grateful thanks to the Jerusalem Trust for their financial support for this episode.

With a simple home-made sign Andrew spread a message of love and hope across the world. We hear his stories of everyday activism.

You can buy Andrew's book here:

https://www.eden.co.uk/faith-hope-and-mischief/

You can join the Hopeful Activist's Community here:

https://praxiscentre.org/community/

And you can find out about the Praxis Labs here:

https://praxiscentre.org/labs/

Can churches really change communities? Where is Jesus in the permacrisis? Where are the signs of hope?

Abi had a special treat a few weeks ago...to visit the Jubilee+ Churches That Change Communities Conference. Abi interviewed several of the contributors to the conference and you can find the full interviews on the Jubilee Plus Podcast, but here at The Hopeful Activists we get to hear some highlights from:

Kat Osborne is the CEO of Safe Families.

Sam Ward is the Directory of Ministry at The Message Trust in Manchester.

Natalie Williams from Jubilee+

Charlie MacDonald from Jubilee+, author of Overflow.

Author of “We Need To Talk About Race: understanding the black experience in white majority churches” Ben Lindsay and Abi speak about race and the church - it’s time for the rubber to hit the road.

Buy Ben's brilliant book here

Find out more about Power the Fight here

Thanks so much to Sarah Edwards and Rosie Venner from the Just Money Movement for answering some tricky questions in today’s episode.

If you’ve ever asked questions of capitalism, if you’ve thought about whether direct action or becoming a shareholder is the best way to make change in our financial systems, or if you feel like you don’t have enough money to make a difference anyway, you’ll find something in this interview for you!

Find out more about the Fair Tax Mark here.

Tackling gender inequality in Pakistan leads to death threats and hate speech for Naureen and her team. The survivors of gender based violence she works with lose their homes, marriages, work and family, but despite all this they find hope. We hear Naureen's journey into activism, her passion for helping women to read and understand the Bible and helping women gain their rights in a patriarchal society.

For more information on Naureen's work:

https://pcsw.punjab.gov.pk/

To sign up for the Praxis Labs:

https://praxiscentre.org/labs/

To sign up for the Common Good Canteen:

https://commonchange.uk/events/common-good-canteen-march-2021/

John White from Hazelnut Farm in Bristol tells Abi about his own climate conversion, and his church which is connecting people with both creation and our creator. He also has some great challenges around Net Zero and growing vegetables. Plus the Golden Turnip challenge!

Book recommendation: What I Stand for is What I Stand On by Wendell Berry.

Twitter: @hazelnutfarmcom

Facebook: Hazelnut Community Farm

Instagram: hazelnutcommunityfarm

Youtube: @HazelnutCommunity

Mekdes Haddis is with Abi to speak about mission trips, charity and hospitality. Mekdes was born and lived in Ethiopia until she went to college in the US and her book called A Just Mission: Laying Down Power and Embracing Mutuality is a challenging read for anyone who has been involved with missions work, or been on the receiving end.

Her book is called A Just Mission: Laying Down Power and Embracing Mutuality

The documentary Stop Filming Us, can be found on Netflix. The trailer is here.

Abi has been out and about again, visiting the wonderful people at Leeds Craftivists to hear about their collaborative and crafty campaigns. Including campaigns around food waste, the cost of living crisis and local transport.

If you want to know more about the principles behind craftivism, we have two episodes here and here with Sarah Corbett, author and founder of the Craftivist Collective. Or you can buy her books here.

Abi met Emma Temple and Anna Bland, who co-founded the Leeds Craftivists. I was also able to talk to Husain Alogaily, who co-founded Compost It, a fantastic organisation collecting food waste from households and delivering it to local growers who then turn it into compost.

The Leeds Craftivist group is open to anyone who loves to craft for change.

To donate to The Praxis Centre please visit our website (scroll right to the bottom) or go to PayPal here.

A hard hitting interview with a Zimbabwean activist this week, we aren't using her name for her safety. She was interviewed by Rich by computer link, and leaves Abi speechless.

Chris Lane shares lessons on the transformative effect of hospitality and ordinary miracles (plus some extraordinary ones too).

Chris has lived in Salford 43 years. The church that founded centres around eating together and experiencing community with people from a huge variety of backgrounds. Everyone is welcome, and it's there that change happens. We hear stories of miracles, transformation and keeping going for the long haul.

To buy Chris' book visit:

https://hopefulactivists.captivate.fm/ordinarymiracles

Pastor Dewey Williams is a man who has endured a lot of grief, but who has found great joy in Jesus, and through his encounters with men and women on death row in the American justice system. An incredibly joy filled man and a challenging interview.

CW: We hear about the death of Deweys father, which happened in tragic circumstances as Dewey’s sister was experiencing paranoia and schizophrenia. We also talk about the death of Dewey’s daughter, Charity, of health complications.

More info on Dewey's book and where to buy it here.

The joy filled episode with Lynda Sterling is here: Look Again Artist

We'd love to hear how you are finding joy in your activism too at the moment!

Social Media Links:

@DexterityBooks (FB, IG, TW)

@Deweymtm (IG)

@DeweyWill (TW) 

Pete Portal was born in the UK but has lived in Cape Town, South Africa for the last 15 years.

We all have feelings of failure and disappointment, in this conversation we learn to reframe our view of success within Jesus' framework.

Pete shares about the continuing impact of Apartheid on his community and how the Tree of Life Community are seeking to be a sign that another reality is possible. This includes hosting a programme for young men coming out of addiction and gang activity and also a home for abused women and children. Tree of Life is a 24/7 prayer community.

You can buy Pete's book here and find out more about it here.

Henri Nouwen's book In the Name of Jesus can be bought here.

A fascinating interview with Shermara Fletcher about grassroots community organising, bringing about local transformation and political change.

To hear more from Shermara and others involved in community organising visit:

www.theology-centre.org.uk/category/just-church-podcast/

The Open Table:

https://www.stgeorgeintheeast.org/the-open-table

Twitter: @ShermaraFletche @publicseymour @opentablesge @theologycentre

Episode 100!!!

Our planned worship centred episode will be with you shortly, but in the meantime Abi and Rich share what they have learnt from interviewing over 100 Christian Activists on healthy and sustainable activism.

STOP:

Natalie Collins, speaker, writer, campaigner, leader on issues of abuse, exploitation and gender.

Natalie's interview is here.

Rev Edwin Arrison

Anti-apartheid campaigner and friend of Desmond Tutu.

Rev Edwin's interview is here.

LOOK:

Ben Lindsay

Author, CEO of “Power the Fight”, Speaker and Activist

Ben's interview is here.

Jo Musker-Sherwood

Founder of one of the UK’s fastest growing climate charities and now Climate.Emergence

Jo''s interview is here.

LISTEN:

Rev Dr Sam Wells

Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields and author.

Sam's interview is here.

GO:

Jared Hodgeson

Hope at Home co-founder.

Jared's interview is here.

Mariam Tadros

Regional Director, Asia-MENA for International Alert

Mariam's interview is here.

Campaign Successes

If you need encouragement, this episode features 3 amazing campaigners and their sucessful campaigns.

We would love to support you! Find out more...

Separated from her children for 8 years, Marie shares her story of seeking refuge in the UK and the struggle to find her children. It's a story of resilience and hope, and the power of having a community to support you.

shinewestbowling.org.uk

Straight from COP27, the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt this week two climate campaigners help us to pray for good outcomes:

Jessica Bwali, climate campaigner at Tearfund

Laura Young, climate campaigner and Tearfund AmbassadorThey  have taken some time out to give us some things to pray about this week.

The amazing Kate Monkhouse (executive officer at Creators of Peace) shares her wisdom on activism and spirituality. Her work of radical peace building with women has taken her around the world, including to Syria, Australia, Nepal and Burundi.

Meet the Hopeful Activist team, including the authors of The Hopeful Activist book and find out why we are so proud of it!

Most of the team came to The Lodge Café in Bradford to hear the story of how a subsiding building became a thriving community space and find out how to be a hopeful activist. Abi also speaks to Thobekile Ncube from Harare in Zimbabwe, to hear about her contribution to the book and how her view on hope has changed.

Ezekiel 37 can be read here.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

With thanks to Beth, Rich, Eilidh, Rachel and Thobes.

Jane Sullivan from Wedding Angels shares how her own difficult upbringing fuelled her passion to help others through a sustainable business.

Happy Easter from everyone at The Praxis Centre for Hope and Activism. Natalie Williams from Jubilee Plus and Kings Church in Hastings shows us how mercy is a thread through Jesus' whole life and how Easter gives us hope that his mission can live on through us!

@natwillnatter

Jubilee-plus.org 

@jubileeplus

Facebook and Insta: /jubileeplus

Books from Natalie: A Church for the Poor (2017) and The Myth of the Undeserving Poor (2014), plus A Call to Act (2020, available to pre-order (co-authored with Martin Charlesworth).

Abi and Sarah Small dive into the controversial area of where evangelism and social action meet.

With contributions from Krish Kandiah, Deirdre Brower Latz, Simon Guillebaud, Joel Edwards, Richard Reddie, Amy and Ben Woodfield and Chris Lane.

Abi and Rich discuss the new Tearfund report "The World Rebooted". The world is on pause for many of us, and we have time to dream and plan with God a brighter future after Covid-19.

Tearfund's work "The World Rebooted" can be found here:

tearfund.org/reboot

For Alex Evan's work on grief, "This Too Shall Pass" visit:

collectivepsychology.org

We are hearing more about the Cost of Living Crisis every day, but what can churches do now and to prepare for the difficult winter ahead? How do we read the Bible in the context of poverty and how can the church act prophetically?

Natalie Williams from Jubilee Plus is seeing the impact of the cost of living crisis now and gives amazing practical tips for churches to prepare now for the winter ahead.

The TLG training that Natalie mentioned can be found here.

To explore becoming a Jubilee Plus partner church click here. This is a brilliant way to get support, training and expertise on anti-poverty action.

Chris Shannahan Principal Investigator from the Life on the Breadline Project shares his unique and important research into poverty in the UK, and how the church is responding. What is the church doing with its influence and roots, or should we be doing more?

To find out more and sign the Anti-Poverty charter here.

You can invite someone to speak about the charter in your church, and the Life on the Breadline project website has some fantastic resources for churches and small groups.

Revd Dr Sam Wells brings a dynamic approach to activism in this week's interview. Using Jesus' life as a model for our approach. Jesus spent 1 week in Jerusalem working for us, 3 years in Galilee working with us, and then 30 years in Nazareth being with us. An interview that may significantly alter your approach to change.

Sam Wells is Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields and also Visiting Professor of Christian Ethics at King’s College, London. He has published 30 books including The Nazareth Manifesto (which explores these ideas further).

https://www.shopatstmartins.co.uk/onlineshop/cat_1475620-Books.html 

https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org

Questioning allegiance outside St Paul's Cathedral and worship that changes a government: powerful interviews today from Jon Swales and Andy Flannagan and we hear about Rich's work with waste pickers: Fair Circularity Initiative.

Jon Swales shares his liturgy for the climate crisis and tells us about Lighthouse, a church for people "battered and bruised by the storms of life". We also hear why he was re-affirming people's baptismal vows in a paddling pool at a protest outside St Paul's Cathedral one week, and another week going into the Cathedral for Queen Elizabeth's funeral. Where should a Christian pledge their allegiance?

Free access to Jon's book here:

Lament and Hope: Prayers for the Climate and Ecological Emergency

Twitter: @jonswales77

For more on the climate action visit Christian Climate Action.

Andy Flannagan, singer songwriter and Executive Director of Christians in Politics shares his passion for truthful worship, lament and getting involved in making a difference. How can worship leaders avoid just leading to the holy climactic moment, but instead lead people into lament, righteous anger and intercession?

We also talk about Changing the Soundtrack and Those Who Show Up.

Andy Flannagan's music, "You are God and We are not" and "Your Spirit Groans for Peace" used with permission, and with our thanks.

Carol found her creative streak as a child as a way to process her feelings around her Mum's mental health struggles. Carol now writes music for her groups for children and adults and sees God at work through her as she brings love and hope to people around her.

For more information about Raise visit:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2537464216526522/

https://raise4all.wordpress.com

Additional music in this episode is written and directed by Carol Barwick and performed by Raise Your Voice Community Choir, used with permission.

Please do review and share this episode if you enjoyed it - thank you!

Vanessa Nakate is a renowned Ugandan climate activist, Abi talks to her about her faith , feminism, her brilliant book, A Bigger Picture and the importance of listening to activists from countries in Africa. Of course this makes the infamous incident where Vanessa was cropped from a photograph of activists at Davos all the more painful.

Hear more about the Vash Green Schools project installations here.

Abi and Rich get together to discuss deep interviews with artist Barbara Keal and liturgist and author Cole Arthur Riley. They delve into embodied and contemplative activism and creative responses to injustice and trauma.

We hear all about the Coat of Hopes - there is a 10 minute video here telling you more about the project.

Cole Arthur Riley also shares about her book This Here Flesh and her digital project Black Liturgies.

Other helpful resources:

Nine Fold Path - a resource to help you work through Jesus' Beatitudes.

Our episode on Peacemakers seems particularly apt at the moment.

Happy Easter from everyone at The Praxis Centre for Hope and Activism!

Abi is joined today by Wendy Lloyd who is the faith communications co-ordinator for the charity Christian Aid.

As Britain prepares to host COP26 the Young Christian Climate Network are going beyond individual decisions for the climate to acting on a collective basis. Find out about their incredible relay from Cornwall to Scotland, how to get involved, and the importance of the UK hosting and owning this conference.

More about the relay here

This week you get to meet the rest of the Praxis Team on our day away in Birmingham, and Abi also spoke to poet, beatboxer, MC and writer Testament about the power of words, the meaning of "woke" and he performs his rap Eclipse exclusively for us.

Find out more from Testament here:

https://www.testamenthomecut.com

And buy his album here:

https://homecut.bandcamp.com/album/no-freedom-without-sacrifice

[grateful thanks for the permission to use "Breakdown" in this episode]

To join the bookclub contact us here:

https://praxiscentre.org/community/

Dante Stewart (Stew) speaks to Abi about the ongoing fight against racism in the United States. 8 days since the death of George Floyd protests against racism and police brutality have spread across the USA and the world. Stew tells Abi about how a "theology of rage" can help us navigate this pivotal moment.

www.dantecstewart.com

Twitter @stewartdantec

For more on rage as a spiritual virtue:

sojo.net/articles/black-rage-anti-black-world-spiritual-virtue

Abi talks to worship leader and songwriter Lucy Grimble about where justice and worship meet. Lucy has gifted the song "Goliath" written with Mitch Wong to International Justice Mission and you can buy it here:

ijmuk.org/goliath

and find out more about Lucy Grimble here:

http://lucygrimble.com

The group Lucy recommends, Common Hymnal, can be found here:

commonhymnal.com

Music used with permission.

How has the past year affected us, the way we live, our walk with God and our activism? Abi dives back into the archive to find out what resources these 3 incredible activists on their activism journey, and how this can help us now.

The episode with Natalie Collins can be heard here.

The episode with Athena Stevens can be heard here.

The episode with Shane Claiborne can be heard here.

Get in touch for more support here.

HUGE thanks to Dr J for allowing us to use his music on this episode. It's all taken from his album Journey, which is available at

https://drjpresents.bandcamp.com

now stop reading this and go and buy it!

Thank you so much to Dr J, Rachel Mander, Alison Dennis, Danielle Wilson, Sophie Gower and Sam Ward for sharing your lockdown lessons with us.

Tracks used: Leaving Orphanhood Behind, Belong, Night Fall.

Last Christmas both Levi and Paul were in prison, this year they are free from addiction and rebuilding their lives and relationships. A real story of hope.

For support around addiction please visit:

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/addiction-and-dependency

For more information about The Oaks, where Paul and Levi live, please visit.

themec.org.uk/the-mec-in-a-nutshell/theoaks/

Laura Young has been leading a campaign with groups supporting health and the environment and at the end of January their campaign to have disposable vapes banned in the UK was successful!

The campaign is just 16 months old, and has made a huge impact, with legislative change now around the corner and Abi was delighted to be able to talk to Laura so soon after this amazing result! 

Laura, also known as LessWasteLaura is an award winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer. for more ideas on waste reduction visit her linktr.ee

@lesswastelaura across social media

Abz Adekeye is a youth pastor and specialist Cognitive Behavioural Therapist for young people aged 11-25. Abi spoke to her about how she has supported young people and her advice to all of us to care for our mental health at this time.

Twitter @abziea

encounterchurch.uk/youth

Abi is joined by Elaine Storkey, philosopher, sociologist and theologian and author of “Meeting God in Matthew”. Also Helen Syrop, founder of Hope Housing and homelessness expert and Jen, an adoptive parent and currently researching faith group responses to hardship in the UK.

We take a beautiful walk through Matthew and along the way talk about that John Lewis advert, the sentimentality around Homelessness at Christmas and how to find beauty in the mess.

A HUGE thank you to Dr J for allowing us to use his track Immanuel (God With Us), you can support him and say thanks by buying his latest music at Bandcamp.

A very happy Christmas to all of you, and thanks for being with us this year. See you in 2023!

Chris Ward is a speaker on the experience of homelessness and works at The Daytime Hub in Gravesend (see below) for people experiencing homelessness in Kent. He shares his story of addiction, homelessness, friendship, church and choosing life every day. Chris also talks about how to share hard truths with people and the incredible work of The Daytime Hub.

Jon Kuhrt has worked with people affected by homelessness and poverty for 30 years. He is a former government adviser on how faith groups address rough sleeping and is now CEO of Hope into Action, who partner with churches to enable them to house and support people. His brilliant blog can be found here .

Jon met Chris at an event at Greenbelt and they have been friends ever since. 

The book Chris and Jon wrote together can be bought here.

Gravesend Methodist Church and Community Centre

CHARITY NUMBER 1132238

To make a donation to their work:

Account name - Daytime Hub Gravesend Methodist

Account number - 55347668 Sort code - 30-93-6

Rachel and Rich (authors of The Hopeful Activist) listen to Abi's interview with Dr Andy Knox, author of Sick Society.

Dr Andy Knox argues that our society is broken because we have built it on values that are not working for too many people. Sharing moving stories from the people he has met in his clinic as a GP, we see a system that is stacked against certain people in society and is profoundly unjust. Arguing against "hero leaders", and for hosting, listening and working together with love at the core, Andy challenges us to be outraged by the injustice in our society, and then do something about it.

To buy Sick Society visit Boz Publications.

Abi reflects on being northern, being an extrovert, and the importance of taking time out to be with Jesus.

"Landlord" is a dirty word, but Gavin Mullaley is putting people first in an industry with a bad reputation. He shares his unlikely inspirations, and why we don't need as much money as we think we do!

Plus find out more about the Praxis Labs from the wonderful Hannah Ling, who took part in the last course and now runs the social media for The Hopeful Activists' Podcast.

www.cornerstonepartnership.co.uk

https://praxiscentre.org/labs/

LICC have great resources to support and inspire you in your faith at work:

https://www.licc.org.uk/about/work/

Alice sells her husband in a box ... well sort of. Hear from Alice and David Deanie, brand new entrepreneurs with a kingdom heart; and Jan DeVilliers, who began selling shorts in South Africa. He went on to start the Bradford youth organisation Emerge, and also Futurekraft (helping churches and organisations reach communities with hope) and other businesses and organisations along the way. We hear about risk, failure and how difficult it is to switch off.

http://futurekraft.org

http://emergeonline.org.uk

https://aroundthebox.co.uk

As toilet rolls and hand gel disappear from the shelves what should a Christian's response to the Coronavirus Pandemic be?

Krish Kandiah talks to Abi about radical hospitality with a 2nd Century precedent. How do we balance risk with support for the most vulnerable?

Please follow the medical advice given in your location as we look out for those opportunities to be radical (but not reckless!), and to be a calm presence in the middle of a storm.

For advice about Coronovirus visit:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Comedian and preacher Andy Kind shares his wisdom on finding your calling.

http://www.andykind.co.uk

What is the future of the church if it doesn't start talking about climate change? Young activists are asking the church to step up.

Dot Tyler, Head of Youth and the Emerging Generation at the charity Tearfund joins Abi and Leah Otto, a young climate activist to talk about the future.

Information and tickets for The Justice Conference here

More on the Emerging Leaders course here

More on the Burning Down the House research here

More on the YCCN relay here

Hi everyone and welcome to the 101st episode of The Hopeful Activists’ Podcast! Thanks for being with us on our journey of learning, worship, prayer and action, it’s been an absolute privilege to hear your stories and to bring you the stories of others over the last 100 episodes. 

We have decided to use this episode to do what we are constantly recommended to do by the amazing activists we get to speak to on the podcast, to recenter ourselves on God, to worship, to be honest before him and to pray. 

Some incredible activists, some known to you, some unknown, have brought us prayers, bible readings and reflections for this episode. This episode is all about the love of Jesus, about the wonder of God, about the power of the Holy Spirit. I hope you find space to worship, to reflect and to pray, and this is an episode that you can come back to.

We are originally putting this out in a period of national mourning, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. For some people this is a time of sadness and grief, others are sad and aggrieved by the inequality, or limits to protests, or other unjust events. Wherever you are right now we hope that you will find this episode a place to rest, to recenter, to remember who you are and who God is, and to worship.

If you would like to listen to any of the music again (and more worship and protest music) here is a Spotify playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3iUMLMgc8F1KcVb3GAFPYp?si=NKIKWyHZTTGhQvYZWYG82A&utm_source=copy-link

With grateful thanks to:

Jesus!

Musicians and Spoken Word:

Salt of the Sound licensed via Echoes Blue Music

Lucy Grimble and band

Katie Dowds

Micah Bournes

DrJ

Prayers and Reflections from:

Poppy Williams from 24/7 Prayer Ibiza

Victoria Armstrong from Oasis Gorton

Natalie Williams from Jubilee+ and author of Invisible Divides

Ruth Valerio from Tearfund and author of Saying Yes to Life

Lisa Sharon Harper speaker, activist, artist and author of

Five activists who have responded in diverse ways to the current Covid crisis (acting on loneliness, toxic masculinity, working with vulnerable children, supporting people’s mental health, and discovering how to remain a campaigner when you are in the Scottish countryside) share what they have been up to, some of their joys and struggles, and what has kept them going. 

Once again this episode has the wonderful music of Dr J. You can download it from band camp, and if you buy the first track "Emmanuel, God with us", you are supporting Cromer Beachcomber Guest House in North Norfolk, which has been giving to support to people who need space and support throughout the pandemic.

https://drjpresents.bandcamp.com/album/immanuel-god-with-us

And thanks to Nathan Grady, Lau Ciocan, Beth Myring, Simon Davidson and Bonte Uwimana for sharing their wisdom.

praxiscentre.org

Abi goes to a beautiful part of North Yorkshire to meet Alex Evans to talk all things Brexit! How can we move beyond the divisions in society in a new and creative way as people of faith. What is our responsibility in the midst of all the anger and division? Alex brings depth and wisdom to the debate.

www.collectivepsychology.org

Twitter: @alexevansuk

Contemporary Clowns Kate Mounce and Eleanor Young make Abi laugh in this week’s episode as they share their wisdom on “the teenage sex talk” and laughter as a form of activism. 

https://www.besideourselvescollective.com

Jack Wakefield shares his passion for and the theology behind his action on climate care. And Abi gets stressed out by some orange peel.

Grace Hills has been digging up the grass verges, planting fruit trees and increasing the biodiversity on her street, with the help of her neighbours and their children. Abi met two of the children who are part of her Flower Fairies group, where Grace teaches them to enjoy and appreciate nature, and to do plenty of planting, despite living on a suburban housing estate!

If you’re a gardener this is a good episode to listen to whilst you’re doing some digging and planting, and if, like Abi, you appreciate nature, but don’t see yourself as a gardener, we know you’ll be inspired by the small steps that started Grace Hills on her guerrilla gardening journey. We also talk about being a neurodiverse Christian activist, a subject we'll return to soon!

You can find Grace on Instagram @sparkingcommunity

The book she mentioned is called Get Guerrilla Gardening by Ellen Miles.

You can find out more about guerrilla gardening here and there's a beginners guide here.

After 4 and a half years spent in an enclosed community of prayer and solitude, some amazing lessons for activists from Becks Davis about a life lived holistically with God.

If you would like support in your activism journey please visit

praxiscentre.org

Brian D. McLaren is a very well known author, speaker, activist and public theologian and joined Abi from his home in Florida.

Brian works with Father Richard Rohr at the Centre for Action and Contemplation and is proud to be an activist!

We talk about Brian's new book Life After Doom, covering:

• how to welcome the reality of our climate crisis
• how to be contemplative and protect your mind and
• what's the problem with hope?

We also talk about the parable of the rich fool and the Lord's Prayer ..."may God's dreams for the earth come true."

“What does it mean to be a disciple if the normal way of living is trashing what Jesus has made?”

We are looking forward to the reactions to this week’s interview. Ruth Jarman on obedience and breaking the law in the face of the climate crisis.

Facebook @christianclimateaction @OperationNoah @ChristianEcologyLink

Twitter @Cclimateaction @OperationNoah @GreenChristian_ @ExtinctionR

For over 15 years Alan Storkey has been researching disarmament. Abi met Alan at New Wine and they spoke about the folly of war, and how Christians can play a part in ending the arms trade.

http://www.alanstorkey.com

Is prayer a form of activism? Can we pray in hope when we are feeling weighed down or weary of injustice? What can other cultures teach us about how to pray?

Abi spoke to Philip Powell from The Justice Conference and Lynne Paterson from Tearfund. They share their journeys of prayer and give us a practical and theological guide of how to pray, listen and remain hopeful in a world of injustice. 

Tearfund prayer guide.

The Justice Conference is on tour! Book your tickets now.

You can donate to Tearfund's Emergency Appeal for people impacted by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey here, as well as accessing their special prayer guide.

Sandra Maria Van Opstal from Chasing Justice also shares her experiences of worship and work against injustice in her community in Chicago, and how time spent lying face down on her carpet before God is vital to her life. She reminds us of the power of silent prayer - to help us remember that we are the created and not the creator.   

You can buy Sandra's book The Next Worship here.

Subscribe to Chasing Justice to be sent a copy of the prayer "Audacity to Thrive" guide Abi talks about.

Find out more about The Hopeful Activists Community here.

Openshaw is one of the most deprived areas of the country, but Nicci describes it as paradise. Lizzie and Nicci share their stories of looking for hope and tackling loneliness in one of Manchester's forgotten places.

Today we hear from some children whose activism took them to Britain’s Got Talent, and has led to children all over the world singing their music and learning about Climate Action.

I also speak to Paul Kerensa about his new book, Planet Protectors, written with Ruth Valerio.

With thanks to Freemantle and Britains Got Talent for permission to use their audio.

And thanks to SOS From The Kids Choir for permission to use their music and for being brilliant.

Find the music from SOS from the Kids on Spotify, or via their website:

sosfromthekids.com/song-releases

Buy Ruth and Paul's book here:

spckpublishing.co.uk/planet-protectors

The launch event details are here:

ruthvalerio.net/environment/planet-protectors-special-launch-event/

To support this podcast please visit:

praxiscentre.org

From the Isle of Mull Wendy Lloyd from Christian Aid tells Abi about the new book "Rage and Hope: 75 Prayers for a Better World."

Don't forget to sign up to The Praxis Labs:

https://praxiscentre.org/labs/

To join The Hopeful Activists' Lounge on Facebook lounge visit:

https://praxiscentre.org/community/

To buy "Rage and Hope":

https://spckpublishing.co.uk/rage-and-hope

Mick Kane, live-in chaplain at Nazarene Theological College in Manchester brings us a deep reflection on lament, hope and creativity.

Twitter @mick_k86 @NTC_Manchester

https://nazarene.ac.uk

http://redletterchristians.org.uk

Tiktok: mickkane7

Rose Hudson-Wilkin has been unafraid to go where God called her, even when women weren't allowed to be ordained. She will become Bishop of Dover in November and is currently Chaplain to the Speaker to the House of Commons, Chaplain to the Queen and Priest-in-Charge of St Mary-at-Hill, City of London.

Rose shares her wisdom on being a faithful disciple, and being a faithful presence wherever you are.

On the edge of burnout Tony Horsfall went on a silent retreat and God dealt with him a new way. Tony addresses the fear of intimacy with God that we can face, and how to build stillness, silence and solitude into our lives to feed our souls.

More information on Tony's work at www.charistraining.co.uk

Part 2 of our interview with Sarah Corbett, the award-winning campaigner with 30 years’ practical experience as an activist.

Sarah found feeling like an "activist robot" exhausting. As an antidote to burnout she found a way to use her creativity to protest in a careful, thoughtful way - using gentleness to bring lasting transformation.

We talk about how to engage well with social media, not demonising or dehumanising people and real transformation.

You can find out more and adopt a craftivist here:

https://craftivist-collective.com/

#craftivistcollective

Twitter: @craftivists

Facebook: Craftivist Collective

Insta: craftivists

The Earthbound Report blog (formerly Make Wealth History) has won many awards for it's creator Jeremy Williams. He talks to Rich about how his ideas make people bristle, and reaching the point where you have to stand up for change.

If reconciliation is core to our faith, what does that mean for peacemakers? How do we deal with the tension between pursuing justice and truth as well as peace and mercy? And in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, how do we act for peace?

Abi hosts with Billie Anderson from Tearfund and member of the Praxis team.

With thanks to:

Jonny Clark from Corrymeela and Guardians of the Flame.

Robi Damelin from Parents Circle Family Forum

Mariam Tadros from International Alert

Alex Evans from Larger Us and the Larger Us Podcast

René August from The Justice Conference and The Warehouse

How to stop, let others lead, and embrace the mess (and transformation!) that results, with CEO of the award-winning youth organisation PrimeTime Bradford.

primetimebradford.com

primetimeyln.com

A special episode for Good Friday with Natalie Williams from Jubilee Plus and Kings Church in Hastings. An amazing reflection on God's mercy, and our invitation to share it.

@natwillnatter

Jubilee-plus.org 

@jubileeplus

Facebook and Insta: /jubileeplus

Books by Natalie: A Church for the Poor (2017) and The Myth of the Undeserving Poor (2014), plus A Call to Act (2020, available to pre-order (co-authored with Martin Charlesworth)

The music in this episode is from Dr J, the new album Journey is available here:

https://drjpresents.bandcamp.com

or on Spotify.

Beth and Abi look at the Arms Trade, and activists who are fighting for peace, including Mary Sprunger-Frose who has spilled her own blood at nuclear weapons facilities, and Mike Martin, who turns guns into garden tools with the help people impacted by gun violence.

Grateful thanks to:

Alan Storkey

Alan Storkey

Guardian Investigative Article

Mariam Tadros

International Alert

Community Score Card information

Mary Sprunger-Frose

Strength in Community

Mike Martin

RawTools

Beating Guns

Buy the book in the UK here.

Martin Tiller

Christian CND

Investing In Change

Shane Claiborne

Shane Claiborne

Kirsten Bayes

Campaign Against Arms Trade

A special episode for Christmas, featuring a reflection by Aaron Shah from Worship on the Streets.

Website: www.worshiponthestreets.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/worshiponthestreets

Instagram: www.instagram.com/worshiponthestreetsuk

Listen/Download Aaron's music - www.aaronshah.bandcamp.com/

Hannah and Rich reflect on a powerful interview from Krish Kandiah on fostering and adoption and the challenge that churches need to address.

For more information about Home for Good:

https://www.homeforgood.org.uk

You can purchase Krish's books here:

https://www.eden.co.uk/shop/searches/krish_kandiah.html

For more wisdom from Krish visit:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIgSjA9r-wZPVkWTW77LWyA

If you are looking for ways to support those in need in your community during the Coronavirus outbreak then supporting families with children on free school meals is a great place to start. If schools close in the UK over the next weeks those children will be particularly vulnerable.

Within a square mile of Beth Myring's church there are 700 children who receive free school meals. During the holidays some of these children became both malnourished and obese. Beth's work has brought together the community, council and churches to provide holiday clubs which feed and nurture children and families struggling with holiday hunger.

For support with setting up holiday hunger initiatives in your area contact https://www.tlg.org.uk

To find out more about Beth's work visit https://lifecentre.org.uk

For up to date information about Coronavirus in the UK please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

David Hughes isn't your traditional climate change activist; his unusual journey brings into the open the common disconnect between our faith and action - and how there is always hope.

https://www.arocha.org.uk

https://www.climatestewards.org

We'd love you to join us on our next Praxis Labs 1. You can hear the experience of two people who have done Praxis Labs 1 in this episode and then sign up here!

Thanks to Lau Ciocan and Jen Horne!

Lau Ciocan is the Director of Mentoring Advocacy Network (MAN), a platform raising awareness on men's issues and mental health, shaping the conversation on masculinity. 

For MAN, Lau hosted several webinars and published numerous blog posts. Recently he launched the Mentality Podcast as a place to explore what healthy masculinities are about. 

You can connect with Lau on Instagram or Twitter @man_mentoring

You can connect with Jen on Instagram @jenstudiesdevelopment

How does good theology inform our activism? Imogen Ball, winner of this year’s Theology Slam, helps us think about applying Jesus’ model of creative compassion to our activism.

Find out more about theology slam on twitter @theologyslam

Hear Imogen’s winning talk here

The first in our exciting new series in collaboration with Proximity, a new resource hub for urban Christians. In this episode we discover the joys and challenges of following Jesus on an urban estate. 

We'll hear from Allan Finnegan from Emmanuel Baptist Church in Netherton in Liverpool, Tom Grant, also from Emmanuel Baptist Church and Head of Proximity, as well as Tal Watkins and Marie Robinson from the Netherton Community Grocery.

And finally from Bishop Philip North, who tells us that there are two stories: amazing life and hope on urban estates, and also a church that has deep inequality within its structures.

Allan's GoFundMe for his treatment is here.

Clip from Britain's Got Talent used with permission.

Academic and excellent communicator Elaine Storkey shares some of the wisdom she has gained throughout her life, including in her work with Tearfund. Her theological insights into God's redemptive plan for us, and how we can live in that power are deep, yet practical.

www.elainestorkey.com

Elaine's compelling book "Scars Across Humanity" can be bought here:

https://www.eden.co.uk/shop/scars-across-humanity-4435477.html