2022 Winter

Hospitality is a key part of our call as Christians, but it is one we often struggle to live out. This is not helped by the fact that so much of our church life is centred on ancient, listed buildings with no insulation and (often) inadequate heating systems. Contributors to this issue look at these points as well as some of the wider implications of welcome. John Truscott’s article is rooted in scripture and thoroughly practical while Richard Appleton urges us to consider how our churches could be more accessible in a number of ways. Matthew Horspool from the Torch Trust shares particular challenges faced by those with impaired vision. Pip Martin, Robyn Golden-Hahn and Rona Orme describe what it has been like to open their church to everyone, with a particular concern for those who are homeless. Stevie Green writes about her experience as a trans woman in a church community, and Jessy Price rises to the challenge of reaching young people in a rural area. All these authors present us with ideas, potential solutions and much food for thought.

The worldwide Anglican Church is also wrestling with aspects of welcome, as well as questions about climate justice and reconciliation. Peter Clough attended the Lambeth Conference in the summer – you can read his report on pages 18-19.

As Readers and LLMs, we are conscious of our calling, and this year we are proud to celebrate one hundred years of the Central Readers’ Council. As Readers we are entitled to apply for study grants from the Adams-Myland Trust – but who were the individuals behind this bounty? Imogen Clout goes in search of Miss Myland and shares her findings with us. And one of our new Trustees, Stephanie Hayton, gives us a very short history of the modern Reader movement.

We then have two rather different articles: Sian Nicholas looks at how we might help those to whom we minister prepare for the reality of death, and John Wood introduces us to Open Science, looking at how our ministry might be enriched by the wider sharing of knowledge. And if you thought all of Jesus’ disciples were men, then Joan Taylor and Helen Bond hope to prove you wrong! You can find an extract from their book Women Remembered, and an interview with the two of them, towards the end of the magazine.

Looking ahead to 2023, there will be issues themed on ‘Going deeper’ (looking at how might we grow spiritually and help others do the same) for which material is already coming in; ministering in a vacancy (deadline for articles, mid-January); preaching on hard texts (copy needed by mid-April) and taking forward lessons learned from the pandemic. Do get in touch with other ideas, letters and feedback to: editor@transformingministry.co.uk

Richenda