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- Drown out division with A Million Acts of Hope May 6, 2026 5:55 pm
News reports and social media feeds can often make it feel like the UK is more divided than ever. The voices of those who spread hate and seek to divide communities can seem loud, but they ignore the millions of actions which spread hope and kindness every day, and show what is possible when we come together to make positive change happen. From 13-20 May, A Million Acts of Hope will bring together all these everyday acts of hope and shine a light on the people and communities making them happen. It’s a national initiative being led by community and faith groups, and charities big and small. The Baptist Union, Methodist Church, and United Reformed Church have all joined up. Across Wales, Scotland and England, church congregations, community groups, and projects show up for people in their neighbourhoods every day. They offer support for parents, refugees and asylum seekers, young people, and older people. They host warm spaces, shared meals, community gardens, and activities that promote wellbeing and enable people to have better lives. Our communities are full of hope and care. As part of the national A Million Acts of Hope week of action, we want to celebrate and share these acts of care, kindness and connection. It’s not about doing something extra, but telling these stories that too often go untold, and reminding people that there is far more that connects us than divides us. “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that is in you, and do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15) Your church can get involved in a variety of ways: Share a picture: Share photos or videos capturing some of the many acts of hope that you are involved with in your neighbourhood. With the permission of those featured, simply take a nice, clear photo or a short video (less than 10 seconds is fine), and send it to hello@jpit.uk, or put it on social media and tag our accounts. Please include the name of your church, group or project, location, and what is being highlighted. We’ll share these on social media through the week. You could also send it to your local newspaper. Spell out the word hope: As anoptional addition, could some people in your photo be holding letters that spell ‘HOPE’ or could the word ‘HOPE’ feature somewhere else in your photo or video? Create a ‘hope wall’: Create opportunities to discuss what people hope for locally, or what gives them hope. Invite people to add messages to a wall of hope somewhere visible in the community. Pray with hope: Focus on hope in a service or prayer event. This could tie in with Christian Aid Week (10-16 May) which focuses on the work being carried out by its partner Beacon of Hope in Nairobi, Kenya. Free worship resources are available to download. Host a hopeful event: Celebrate volunteers, put on a community celebration, or run a nature walk or litter pick. There are lots of ideas and resources on the A Million Acts of Hope Community Hub. Source
- Faith leaders defend the right to protest May 1, 2026 10:51 am
Last month, 19 faith leaders – including representatives from the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed churches – signed a letter coordinated by Quakers in Britain defending the right to protest. The letter opposes the introduction of a “cumulative disruption” clause in the Crime and Policing Bill, which could impact a huge range of demonstrations. Read the full text of the letter below. Faith and belief leaders’ letter on Crime and Policing Bill, March-April 2026 Dear Sir/MadamWe write as faith and belief leaders to express our opposition to the new ‘cumulative disruption’ clause in the Crime and Policing Bill.Across our traditions, despite our differences, we share common principles of love and justice. Members of all our communities are led by their consciences to protest peacefully for a variety of causes. Peaceful protest is allowed by international conventions to be disruptive, and successful campaigns for positive change have always involved cumulative action, from the suffragettes to villagers standing up against proposed fracking sites.We believe the Bill’s new clause on ‘cumulative disruption’ undermines our right to peaceful protest. It is vague and broad, meaning that it could affect a huge range of protests. It could mean that we are topped from demonstrating because another protest previously took place in the same area, even if it was on a completely different issue.Peaceful protest motivated by faith, belief and love should be celebrated, not criminalised. We urge the government and MPs to drop the clause on ‘cumulative disruption’ and to enable our right to peaceful protest.Yours sincerely,Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary, Churches Together in EnglandRabbi Gabriel Kanter-Webber, Rabbi, Brighton and Hove Progressive SynagogueLord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon, Director, Network of Sikh Organisations UKDr Wajid Akhter, Secretary General, Muslim Council of BritainJo Backus, Chair, Network of Buddhist OrganisationsMrs Krishna Bhan, Chair, Hindu Council UKAndrew Copson OBE, Chief Executive, Humanists UKAdwoa Burnley, Clerk of Yearly Meeting, Quakers in BritainPaul Parker, Recording Clerk, Quakers in BritainMs Raghad Altikriti, Chair, Muslim Association of BritainSarah Kerr, President , The Pagan FederationDr Cynan Llwyd, General Secretary, Cytun: Churches Together in WalesJamie Cresswell, Director, Centre for Applied BuddhismCanon Giles Goddard, Vicar, St John’s WaterlooCatriona Wheeler, General Assembly Moderator, United Reformed ChurchElizabeth Slade, Chief Officer, General Assembly of Unitarian and Free ChristianChurchesRevd Richard M Andrew, President of the Methodist Conference, The Methodist ChurchMatthew Forsyth, Vice President of Methodist Conference, Methodist ChurchRevd Lynn Green, General Secretary, The Baptist Union of Great Britain Source
- AI, Faith and Justice: Resources May 1, 2026 9:32 am
On Thursday 23rd April 2026, The Joint Public Issues Team and the Student Christian Movement partnered to facilitate a webinar exploring the ethical and justice debates around generative AI. How does AI relate to justice? How do we tackle its political and ethical questions such as human rights, job security, and warfare? What is our responsibility as Christians who care about people and planet, living in a digital world? This page is a product of this webinar and a range of resources shared by its contributors and organisers, encouraging Christians to do the work and think critically about AI, faith and justice. [embedded content] This page was last updated 1 May 2026. Watch & listen Techno–Nihilism and the Human Stakes of AI – Theos Think Tank (10 March 2026) What if the so–called “AI doomers” are right? Watch Nathan Mladin’s research seminar for The Faraday Institute. What impact does AI have on faith? – Theos Think Tank (19 September 2024) Dr Nathan Mladin appears alongside Dr Austin Tiffany, Zeshan Zafar and Nicole Pearson discussing the moral questions raised by artificial intelligence. ‘The Hidden Realities of Artificial Intelligence’ (Podcast), The Cambridge Student (27 October 2024) Conversation with Annissa La Touche, Cambridge Geography graduate, and Alva Markelius, PhD student and founder of the Cambridge University AI Ethics Society. They discuss the rapidly expanding technology’s repercussions on society for young people, human rights, systemic injustices and the environment. ChatGPT – In AI We Trust? Nomad podcast (September 2023) Hosts of Nomad podcast interview non-human guest ChatGPT on its ethical complexities and moral implications for churches and Christians. Global Justice Now: Resisting Big Tech empires (25 April 2026) Watch the opening and closing plenaries of this event held at London South Bank University. Get involved in: Campaigns Stop Killer Robots campaign An ongoing campaign launched in 2013 which calls for new international law on autonomy in weapons systems to ensure human control in the use of force. Pull the Plug campaign A new activist movement to give ordinary people a say on how AI is implemented. Get Palantir out of UK public services | Global Justice Now Sign this petition from Global Justice Now to get Palantir out of all UK public contracts, including the NHS. Future of Arms campaign on autonomous weapons JPIT’s Future of Arms project aims to equip Christians and our churches to engage in discussion and advocacy with decision-makers about these vital issues, as we seek to fulfill the Christian vocation to be peacemakers. Christian organisations & events The AI Christian Partnership An alliance of Christian organisations, respected theologians and innovative technologists to help Christians navigate AI. CV Digital Day A one-day event designed to spark a conversation at the intersection of mission and tech. Details TBA for 2026. Our Common Future: Advocating for Digital Rights and AI Accountability | World Council of Churches An ecumenical symposium organised by the WCC which took place in Berlin in April 2026. It aimed to develop a concrete advocacy and capacity-building framework for coordinated and collaborative action towards digital justice. Faithbase A community and resource hub for Christian technologists based in Romania developing faith-informed approaches to the ethics of AI. AI Ethics & Faith Event Hosted at Lambeth Palace in January 2026, co-organised and chaired by Charles Larkin, Director of Research at the Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath, and the Revd Dr Malcolm Brown. Read about it on ART-AI’s website, a UKRI funded Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Accountable, Responsible and Transparent AI. Theos Think Tank Theos stimulates the debate about the place of religion in society, challenging and changing ideas through research, commentary and events, including work on digital futures and AI ethics. Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) A partnership of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church, supporting churches to work for peace and justice by engaging with public policy issues Student Christian Movement (SCM) A community of students committed to an inclusive, progressive and radical approach to the Christian faith. Church resources Church of Scotland AI Congregational resource series (2022) Prayers for digital justice – Speaking Life and Justice In the Digital Space | World Council of Churches Read: Articles Quit ChatGPT: right now! by Rutger Bregman, The Guardian (March 2026) Historian Rutger Bregman argues that AI giants like ChatGPT could be stopped because of the history of successful consumer boycotts. Renewed call for national conversation on AI and the Future of Work | The Church of England (October 2025) Church of England academics and policy advisers renewed calls for a national conversation on the impact of artificial intelligence on the world of work, in a series of articles for Crucible, the journal of Christian social ethics. Annissa La Touche, ‘AI and Human Rights: Reflections on expert panels, stands against Palantir, and the utilization of AI in genocide’, The Cambridge Student (29 July 2024) This article follows up on a panel in May 2024 hosted by Cambridge University’s Centre of Governance and Human Rights, highlighting the role of AI in military technologies against civilians, particularly in Gaza. She emphasises the partiality of AI in reinforcing hierarchies of oppression, state sovereignty and crackdown on public protest. AI, Justice, and Creation Care: An update from the AI Working Group – The Methodist Church (September 2025) A summary of the Methodist Church’s Artificial Intelligence Working Group’s meeting in September 2025. It highlights the mainstream nature of AI conversation, and the overlap with the Methodist Church’s commitment to ‘justice, care for creation, and human flourishing’. Featuring research presented by Izzy-May Solomon. The Baptist Union of Great Britain: The Church is taking on AI, here’s how (November 2023) A piece by Chris Goswami for Baptist Times, written as the UK Government hosted the world’s first Global AI Safety Summit in 2023. It balances the positives and negatives of AI use in church spaces, and highlights the important work of the AI-Christian Partnership. Airstrikes by AI: who is accountable? – Joint Public Issues Team […]
- On the Just Transition: A Colombian Perspective April 29, 2026 12:19 pm
Colombian coffee and Dutch stroopwafels – representing the co-hosts of the Santa Marta conference In mid-April 2026, JPITs denominational leaders signed a letter asking Ed Miliband to attend First Conference on the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels. Held in Santa Marta, Colombia, the conference is a key opportunity for delegates from the Global North and South to gather and begin the technical preparation for a roadmap to promote a Just Transition away from Fossil Fuels that is Fast, Fair and Funded. Colombia, like many nations especially those in the Global South, relies on revenue from its fossil fuel exports for its development. An orderly and just transition is vital to prevent climate catastrophe without plunging millions into poverty. This is a task Colombian civil society, including faith based partners of JPITs denominations, are working hard to achieve. Below, we publish a discussion, between Thomas Niblett, JPIT Intern, and Félix Posada Rojas, co-director of ECLAC, the Popular Ecumenical Centre for Latin American Communication, a global partner of the Methodist Church in Great Britian. ECLAC provides training in communications and use of media to promote human rights for impoverished and excluded populations in Colombian society. Understanding the earth as our common home, with water, forests and soils that require protection from exploitation for minerals and land, is core to ECLAC’s work. See the end of the conversation for more information about Felix and ECLAC. Felix outlines the environmental and economic issues impacting the Colombians they work with, focusing on the resource extraction vital to the economy of Colombia and many countries in the Global South. Coal and emerald mining and charcoal production lead to ill health, dangerous conditions and poor wages. The poverty and inequality that results is exacerbated by the involvement of criminal gangs and paramilitaries, impacting the government’s efforts to diversify the economy away from extractive exports. Felix states that to achieve a true Just Transition for everyday Colombians, especially the most vulnerable, more funding from international sources is needed to enable grassroots organisations such as CEPALC to work effectively. He highlights that many organisations have failed to adequality represent Colombians in local, national and international contexts, and an embrace of grassroots participation work through community education is essential for an inclusive transition away from fossil fuels and the extractive economy they are part of. For Christians in western countries supporting Climate Justice work, we have to come to terms with that fact that diching fossil fuels and embracing renewables is a task requiring more than technical changes to the energy system. Britain has now arguably decoupled carbon emissions from economic growth, and is likely to have a fossil free electricity system in the near future. But for countries in the Global South, the path to future development must include a Fossil Fuel Treaty that covers the technical path to transition, and also affirms the crucial role of civil society, including faith groups, in educating, engaging and leading the transition on the ground. The climate crisis, and our call to social justice work, is global, and we must learn from our Global South partners how to internationalise the transition. Thank you very much to Felix for this vital discussion on what a Just Transition away from fossil fuels requires on the ground. You can read Félix’s reflection on Land Justice and how this impacts rural poverty and environmental injustice. This is a guest blog and does not necessarily reflect the views of JPIT or our partner denominations Félix’s words have been translated from Spanish. Thank you to Sandra Lopez, Partnership Coordinator for the Americas, Methodist Church of Great Britain, for facilitating. To support partners like CEPLAC, You can support the World Mission Fund of the Methodist Church and to the global work of JPITs other denominations, the URC’s Commitment for Life, Baptist World Mission and the Church of Scotland’s Global Partnerships. Thomas: What is the extractive economy like for the people ECLAC work with Félix: For some years now we have been accompanying children’s and youth groups in coal and emerald mining areas in the department of Boyacá in the central-eastern part of the country. Coal mining occurs through two processes: excavation of mines where the mineral is extracted under precarious and highly dangerous conditions , endangering the health and lives of the workers. Families in these areas depend on mining for their livelihood, and from a very young age, forced by economic circumstances, teenagers are compelled to become miners , earning meager wages. Wages that don’t reflect the demands of the job. In fact, it’s rare to find a family that doesn’t have members who have died, been disabled by rockfalls, or suffered serious respiratory problems from the coal dust that gets into the workers’ lungs. There are no job security or social security guarantees in these regions. Accidents in the mines, which are very frequent, are treated by employers and authorities as unforeseen events that do not warrant investigation or compensation. In the grassroots groups we have supported, there has been participation from young people who have worked in the mines and are affected by serious respiratory illnesses. Another method for producing charcoal is burning wood extracted from neighboring forests. These fires last for several days and are generally carried out by young teenagers under the direction of adults. The search for wood has decimated a large portion of the forests and polluted the water and air in these regions. Many children not only suffer from gastrointestinal illnesses due to the poor water quality but are also affected by malnutrition, a consequence of the poverty and misery endured by their families. The emerald mining areas located in western Boyacá department have traditionally been dominated by businessmen who have armed groups at their service and who, in practice, impose law and order in these regions. This law and order have nothing to do with the Constitution of the Republic of Colombia and respect for the rights of groups. Conflicts often arise among the mining companies, leading to murders, […]
- Church action network aims to transform politics April 27, 2026 9:14 am
The Constituency Action Network (CAN) — launched by the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church through the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) — resources local churches to building meaningful relationships with their MP and works with them to speak and act for peace and justice. The aim is to have at least one church signed up in every Westminster constituency across England, Scotland and Wales. In a new film, the network is introduced through the biblical story of the Good Samaritan, drawing on Martin Luther King Jr’s conviction that while we are called to play the good Samaritan on life’s roadside, we must work to transform the whole Jericho Road so that people are not repeatedly mistreated and marginalised along life’s journey. The Revd Dr Alex Clare-Young, JPIT’s Campaigns and Church Engagement Officer, said: “This network has the power to campaign for justice and peace both locally and nationally. We are often told that Church should not be political, but Jesus tells a different story, one that promotes radical equality, advocating for the marginalised and presenting a Kingdom of God that challenges the unjust power structures within society. By connecting with MPs, churches can be a vital part of God’s work for a peaceful and just world. “Increasing polarisation and the scapegoating of particular groups for all of society’s ills has eroded our communities. Some people have lost hope that their MP will address the things that matter to them. They may not have the confidence to contact their local MP by letter or email, let alone visit them during a weekly, surgery appointments about their concerns. “Local churches and other faith groups are uniquely placed to listen to and support neighbourhoods that are hurting and people facing real challenges. Churches are experts in social action and local issues, running food banks, warm spaces and much more. Working together with their wider communities, often-ignored voices can be amplified. But the difference between noise and influence is relationship. “That is why the Constituency Action Network matters. It gives MPs opportunities to truly understand the people and places they serve, helping them to connect local issues with national policymaking.” Churches in the network commit to building and sustaining positive and purposeful relationships with their local MP, praying for them regularly, and listening carefully within their congregations and communities. In doing so, churches can speak up on a range of local and national concerns that matter to their community. And they will not do this alone. JPIT supports CAN churches with resources, training and guidance on a range of public issues alongside encouragement to participate in coordinated action for positive change. Churches are also invited to online gatherings offering opportunities to learn from one another and explore what can be achieved together. Alex added: “We urge churches to watch our video, begin a discussion about how CAN could impact them and their community, and join us in our aim of achieving real and lasting change for our communities. Together, we can make a positive difference and work towards a kinder, more truthful politics, informed by listening and strengthened by trust. This has been missing in government and is vitally and urgently needed. Join us.” [embedded content] Watch the short film about the new Constituency Action Network. Learn more about the Constituency Action Network. Source
- The People’s Emergency Briefing for your church April 24, 2026 4:02 pm
Our call to respond The climate emergency is not only an earthly crisis, but a spiritual one. Scripture opens with a world spoken into being by love, declared very good before a single human hierarchy or economy exists (Genesis 1). The earth is not owned by humans, but entrusted to our care: ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it’ (Psalm 24). Biblical faith never treats land as inert or disposable. The soil receives Abel’s blood and cries out (Genesis 4); the land is commanded to rest and is said to enjoy its Sabbaths when justice is ignored (Leviticus 25; 2 Chronicles 36). When covenant is broken, the prophets do not describe the damage as abstract or metaphorical: the land mourns (Hosea 4), the fields languish, and creation itself bears the cost of human greed. Ecological devastation is named as the consequence of disordered power and forgotten responsibility. This vision is even more expansive in the poetry and prophecy of scripture, where creation is not silent but responsive and alive to God. Mountains sing, trees clap their hands, rivers applaud the coming justice of God (Isaiah 55; Psalm 98). Even stones are said to cry out when truth is suppressed (Luke 19). In the New Testament, St Paul gives theological language to this sense of earth’s expectation: ‘the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now’ (Romans 8), longing not for escape but for redemption alongside humanity. Salvation is never a private transaction; it is God’s reconciling work ‘of all things, whether on earth or in heaven’ (Colossians 1). To face the climate emergency, then, is to face a theological crisis of relationship — with God, with neighbour, and with the living earth itself. For the Church, eco-justice is not an optional concern for the unusually informed or ethically inclined. It is a matter of discipleship, repentance, and truth-telling. In a moment when creation’s groaning grows louder, silence becomes its own theological stance. Eco-theology equips churches to recover a faith spacious enough to hear the voices of the land, courageous enough to name what systems of sin are crucifying both people and planet, and hopeful enough to believe that resurrection demands change — here, now, and together. When discussing the People’s Emergency Briefing, you might like to consider these questions: Where do our worship, preaching, and prayers reflect (or resist) the biblical vision of creation as active, relational, and beloved? What forms of repentance, resistance, and repair might faithfulness require of us in this moment? If creation is groaning for liberation, how might the Church be called to listen — and to act? What is the People’s Emergency Briefing and why should I organise a screening? The People’s Emergency Briefing is a film produced to inform and encourage people to act on the climate crisis. The core of its content is taken from a day of presentations given at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster in 2025 by some of the UK’s leading experts in areas impacted by climate change, from extreme weather events to food systems and from health services to national security. As part of hosting a screening you are asked to invite local elected representatives, for example your MP, MSP or local councillors, to watch the film alongside you. Surveys show that these individuals repeatedly underestimate just how concerned the general public is about climate change and so this is a way of showing them how much you care and why they should try to take action in their respective roles. The People’s Emergency Briefing focusses on the impacts of climate change on the UK. This is because many people think of climate change as something that is happening elsewhere, when in reality it will have serious consequences in the UK too. This is particularly important when thinking about encouraging our elected representatives to act on climate change as they will see how much harder it will be to deliver effective public services with the additional strains placed on them in an ever-warming world. The focus on the UK can also be challenging, particularly for Christians who have a long history of caring about the material and spiritual wellbeing of our global neighbours outside the UK. We don’t think that this should stop you from hosting the film, but you could think about including these questions in the structured discussions you have after the screening: If these impacts are going to be felt in the UK, how do you think they will impact other countries, particularly those with less economic resources than the UK? The film references the concern of climate-induced migration. How can we ensure that we are recognising the rights of people everywhere to live in a safe, habitable environment while discussing these issues? How could the Church and Christians be involved in responding to the climate crisis outside the UK? You might also like to think about how the items discussed in the film would impact a community in a different part of the UK. If you live in a city, try thinking about how this information would feel to a rural community and vice-versa. How can I find out more? The full details and information on how to sign your church or community space up to host a screening are available on the National Emergency Briefing website. JPIT has worked with a coalition of UK churches and Christian organisations including the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Tearfund, Operation Noah, Green Christian and more on a short resource tailored to churches who are planning to host a screening. If you host a screening, please let us know and send us any pictures of the event to hello@jpit.uk Source
- UK urged to continue its climate leadership April 21, 2026 10:37 am
Faith leaders have called on the UK government to step up international efforts to encourage the phasing out of fossil fuels. Senior representatives of the Methodist Church, the Baptist Union and the United Reformed Church have co-signed a letter asking Ed Miliband, as Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero, to personally attend the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels later this month. The international summit is being co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands in Santa Marta, Colombia. This letter argues that the presence of the Secretary of State would convey a clear message of support from the UK for this new multilateral movement, and aid vital work to agree a detailed roadmap for a transition away from fossil fuels that is fast, fair, and funded. The UK has a proud history of international climate leadership, with Ed Miliband himself having observed last autumn that ‘We are up against the march of time and massive global forces that would slow down or stop action. In the face of this opposition, multilateralism is our best hope.’ The faith leaders say that ‘Your words encouraged us […and] we encourage you to put them into action with fellow climate leaders in Santa Marta.’ In an appendix to the letter, the leaders explain their shared motivation in issuing the call, saying “To be good carers of our common home, we must act quickly and phase out the production of fossil fuels… It is a moral imperative to protect those most in need and to uphold the rights of future generations and the whole earth by employing renewable sources of energy.” Rev’d Canon Giles Goddard, Chair of Faith for the Climate and signatory of the letter, said ‘It’s really important that the UK continues its record of climate leadership by working with climate allies. In the face of a fossil fuel crisis, this conference is vital to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, and ensure that it is fast, fair and funded.’ ‘Ed Miliband’s attendance would show the UK is serious about climate justice and wants to work together, especially with the countries most impacted by the climate crisis. As Ed said himself, ‘You can’t solve a fossil fuel crisis by doubling down on fossil fuels.’ Santa Marta is a key opportunity to bring on ‘the era of clean energy security’’ This conference has the support of many fellow climate leaders, such as the nations who signed the Belem Declaration on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels, a statement made at the conclusion of COP30 on the next steps in the fight for climate justice. This includes small island states especially at risk from climate change, such as Fiji and Jamaica, as well as close European allies of the UK, such as Spain and Austria. It also includes the co-host of COP31, Australia. These countries have welcomed the Santa Marta Conference ‘as a platform to advance the dialogues to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels after COP30.’ Several nations attending are major fossil fuel producers, including Colombia itself, as well as Canada, Brazil and Norway. The initiative follows on from JPIT’s previous work in support of a Fossil Fuel Treaty, and would represent an important step in furthering international discussions on climate change. The UNFCCC COP talks have struggled to maintain a focus on the phase-out of fossil fuels, despite it being referred to in the outcomes of COP28. This conference, independently organised by like-minded countries with high climate ambitions from Global South and North, would help to keep fossil fuel phase-out on the agenda as we look towards COP31 later this year. The full text of the letter is below: L-R: Thomas Niblett, JPIT Intern 2025-26; Rev’d Canon Giles Goddard – Chair of Faith for the Climate; Ann Howell, Social Action Officer – UK Unitarians; Melanie Nazareth – Christian Climate Action; Ben Niblett – Campaigns Coordinator, Quakers in Britain Dear Ed Miliband First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels As UK faith leaders and representatives from many faiths, beliefs and traditions, we are writing to you ahead of the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands in Santa Marta, Colombia in the last week of April. In light of the ongoing energy crisis, this conference is vital for developing energy security and access for the UK and our allies, and a key opportunity for the UK to demonstrate its climate leadership. Multilateralism and leadership We are writing to ask you: To convey a clear message of support from the UK to make the most of this new multilateral movement, including sending a signal of leadership by personally attending the High-Level Segment at the end of the conference To work to agree a detailed roadmap for a transition away from fossil fuels that is fast, fair, and funded To commit the UK’s fair share of funding for the transition. As you wrote in your Guardian column after COP30, ‘Clean energy and climate action remain the foundation on which the global economy is being remade and rebuilt. We are up against the march of time and massive global forces that would slow down or stop action. In the face of this opposition, multilateralism is our best hope. ‘We have seen the emergence of an impressive coalition of 83 countries from the global north and global south’ to create ‘a roadmap to help countries transition away from fossil fuels and scale up clean energy.’ ‘Detailed negotiations matter, but the movements we build around them profoundly influence what can be delivered.’ Your words encouraged us, and reflect the UK’s climate leadership through the phase out of coal mining, and prohibitions on further exploration of oil and gas. We encourage you to put them into action with fellow climate leaders in Santa Marta. A just transition away from fossil fuels is very important to the faith communities, and we would value a meeting with civil servants, and perhaps the Special Representative on Climate, to discuss our shared experiences and perspectives on the transition. Yours sincerely, Rev’d Lynn Green – General Secretary, Baptist Union of Great BritainRev’d Dr David Gregory – Convenor of BUEN, Baptist Union Environmental NetworkRev’d Richard Andrew – President of […]
- Should we still stop Rosebank? March 24, 2026 10:46 am
With an escalating global oil crisis, is it out of touch for churches to continue supporting the campaign to stop the Rosebank oil field? Absolutely not. ICYMI*: What’s going on? The Strait of Hormuz – between the countries of Oman, UAE and Iran – is currently being partially blockaded by Iran, as they protest illegal American and Israeli attacks which began on 28th February. This matters because a fifth of the world’s oil is usually transported through the Strait. On 19th March, leaders from the G7 and other nations (including the UK) issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s blockade of the Gulf and highlighting the global impact. Meanwhile, JPIT continues to support Stop Rosebank, the campaign to prevent the development of an oil field off the Shetland coast. The UK Government will be deciding whether to approve or deny this project in late spring 2026. Critics are pouncing on the seeming contradiction between these two political moments. But can we respond to the energy crisis and stop fossil fuel expansion? And how should the Church be involved? The energy security argument Some are exploiting the argument of “energy security” in this moment of global disruption, as a reason to slow down climate policy, and go ahead with Rosebank. Jim Ratcliffe’s blog for his company’s website, ‘Energy Security Must Come Before Net Zero’ argues that, ‘we must not let ideology obscure common sense’ as Brent crude oil hits over $100 per barrel, and gas prices double. As a petrochemical billionaire, Ratcliffe undeniably has a personal stake in the fossil fuel industry. If you’re into football, you might also know his track record of slashing hundreds of jobs at Manchester United to “cut costs”. Not so keen to defend job security then. Nevertheless, the energy security argument is spreading beyond fossil fuel lobbyists. Ideas of national strength are fiercely present in our public discourse and this is only being heightened by oil politics. The impact of geopolitics on our cost of living should not be downplayed, but media propaganda makes things worse. For instance, The Express reported that Ed Miliband’s “net zero fanaticism” would cost taxpayers over £9 trillion. This claim – being propagated by rightwing think tanks and Reform UK – both exaggerates the facts and fails to consider ‘the cost of paying for the fossil fuels needed for energy if we do not reach net zero’. Our recent work on Christian nationalism is pertinent to the energy security debate, because of the desire for national (oil and gas) independence. Resource extraction is interlinked with the Christian history of colonial capitalism, using theological arguments to justify conquest of a land, its peoples and resources.1 Often this draws on the notion of “dominion”, when instead as Christians we must reorient our relationship to creation towards “stewardship” or “loving service”. Our friends at Stop Rosebank highlight that dominion over this oil field would have little benefit to our domestic energy security, given that 80% of UK oil is exported. Instead, approving the project will continue to ‘ti[e] our economy to the geopolitical ripples of war’. Although some are musing over the North Sea’s potential to reduce the environmental impact of mass energy imports, fundamentally these “unstable” markets won’t bring us more security in the same way that renewable energy can. A pithy meme from Greenpeace sums it up well. David Fallon, Greenpeace The job security argument As COP30 underlined, a “just transition” is essential to the safe and fair movement from fossil fuels towards more sustainable economic models. This requires protecting the workers within fossil fuel-intensive industry, agriculture, oil and gas, ensuring high quality jobs are created. Unite’s ongoing campaign, No Ban Without a Plan, stresses this factor in the shift to renewable energy. Amid the Iran war’s escalation, the union’s general secretary recently stated that “Domestic gas from Jackdaw and oil from Rosebank are essential for jobs” and that “we cannot let go of one rope before we have hold of another”. It is vital that we promote a politics of listening to workers who are experiencing this reality and their valid concerns about the potential negatives of this ban. However, Stop Rosebank’s campaign website and pledges centre job security. We are encouraging MPs to sign the Rosebank pledge, which explicitly commits politicians to “advocate for a properly funded just transition for oil and gas workers and communities”. If we can persuade the Government to stop this oil field, they will need to invest in well paid green jobs and infrastructure in the North Sea that will be more sustainable in the long-term than fossil fuel industry jobs. Delaying the transition won’t fix the current issues, but a new system could. The role of the Church It is easy to separate ourselves from the messiness of international politics. But oil politics continues to impact all our lives because of our entanglement with the fossil fuel industry, most clearly revealed in our energy bills. Churches have a long history of standing in solidarity with the most vulnerable communities. This includes both those being directly impacted by the climate crisis in the Global North and South, as well as those facing job losses in the North Sea without a just transition. We must pray for peace, while acting on our Christian values of faith, hope and love which are clear in the fight against fossil fuels. We believe the Stop Rosebank campaign emphasises our call to responsible stewardship of the Earth and follows Jesus’ example of loving our neighbour rather than seeking economic power or independence.2 Resources You may like to use this prayer produced by the URC in response to the escalation in the Middle East. We are currently promoting a climate craftivism project to send a craft to your MP, if they haven’t signed the Rosebank pledge. Please consider joining this if you have been persuaded by this post! *In case you missed it For more research on land rights and social justice, check out this resource from the Methodist Church Global Networks for Mission (June 2025) Land_Rights_Social_Justice_20250617.pdf ↩︎This was articulated in the letter from Christian leaders to Keir Starmer in June 2025, highlighting theological arguments for stopping Rosebank. ↩︎Source
- Airstrikes by AI: who is accountable? March 10, 2026 11:10 am
Amongst the on-going horrors of the war across the Middle East and on top of significant questions around the legality and intent behind it, we’re seeing a dangerous step into a new kind of warfare. How significantly is human judgement being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) in the decisions that are leading to the deaths of civilians? “Shortening the kill chain” in Iran According to reporting from the Washington Post, the US military is using AI to autonomously select airstrike targets inside Iran. [1] This isn’t a first for the region, Israel was claimed to be doing the same when selecting targets in Gaza.[2] Further afield, both Russia and Ukraine have been reportedly using AI-enhanced drones, including ones that can make the decision to kill independently from their human operators.[3] In the case of the US strikes in Iran, these may not be fully autonomous weapons but, in military speak, they “shorten the kill chain”. This means that they reduce the time it takes for decisions to be made on airstrike targets, with the risk of also reducing the level of human scrutiny. And when the official White House communications are using phrases like “no pause, no hesitation” over clips of airstrikes, it’s fair to question just how carefully they are checking the AI system’s decisions.[4] In some of the most harrowing scenes from this conflict so far, a girls’ school in the southern Iranian town of Minab was destroyed. The imagery that has since emerged shows children’s backpacks and schoolwork books strewn among the rubble. Iranian officials report that 150 students were killed in the attack. While the exact circumstances are still unknown, various experts who have seen the available evidence say it was most likely the US that mistakenly attacked the school during a series of airstrikes on a nearby Iranian naval base.[5] A national security advisor with specialism in civilian harm told the New York Times that the strike was most likely down to “target misidentification”.[6] The US military are unlikely to reveal if AI was used in this particular case, so we may never know it’s true level of involvement. However, with reports that AI is being used in target selection it becomes important to question exactly how the decision was made to target that site. If AI was used, the question then becomes: who is accountable for these deaths? For AI systems to work, the need to be trained on data. In the case of these airstrikes, the data is likely drawn from previous human controlled targeting decisions. But in war the first real-world test for these AI systems are the airstrikes they’re already influencing with potentially lethal consequences for civilians caught in the ever-increasing race to “shorten the kill chain”. The battle of AI use in battle Just before the US and Israeli attacks on Iran began, the US Department of Defence got into a high-profile dispute with one of its AI service providers. The company, Anthropic, said they would allow the US military to use its AI systems for everything except two ethical no-go areas. Firstly, they couldn’t use it for mass surveillance of the American public and secondly, they couldn’t use it for fully autonomous weapons. In response, the Trump administration threatened Anthropic with several measures that would not only mean they would lose their contracts with the US military but that any businesses that used Anthropic AI systems would also not be allowed access to US military contracts. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, was quick to pick up the pieces and made a deal with the Department that was seemingly absent of any safeguards.[7] Palantir, a US company run by a close Trump ally, is currently used by the US, UK and other Nato partners for military use and the implementation of AI systems. The UK Government has proudly boasted of how it’s integrating AI into certain parts of its military.[8] The Future of Arms? Is this the future of warfare? Some would argue that theoretically an effective AI targeting system implemented with the correct safeguards could help to reduce civilian casualties by reducing human error – although there is no hard evidence to suggest this would be the case. The US and other military forces are all secretive on exactly how AI is integrated into their warfighting capabilities and without any international standards on their use, it’s impossible to know just how automatically targets are being selected and struck. With these systems already being used in conflicts with potentially devastating effects, we desperately need world leaders to come together and decide on rules and red lines for the use of AI in warfare. We’ve done this before for other military technologies, particularly in cases where the international community judged a weapon to be so destructive or have too high a risk of harming innocent civilians. Treaties on cluster munitions, anti-personnel landmines and nuclear weapons have all been successful in limiting their use or stopping their spread. JPIT has been working with an international coalition of civil society organisations and academics calling on world leaders to work towards this goal. In late 2025, 156 countries, including the United Kingdom, voted in favour of a UN resolution drawing attention to the concerns about autonomous weapons. The United States, Israel and Russia all voted against this resolution. Join our call supporting those countries advocating for a treaty on autonomous weapons, sign the Stop Killer Robots petition today. You can read more about JPIT’s work on the emergence of new, deadly warfighting technologies here or watch the video below. We can also pray for the region and those being affected by the conflict. Here is a prayer for the Middle East from the Methodist Church in Great Britain: God of love,As we see and hear the news of the devastating violence wrought uponand within the Middle East,we hold your broken world before you in prayer,We pray for lives lost, for people who mourn, and for those living in fearWe pray for people stranded […]
- The Spring Statement – or how not to have “a politics characterised by listening, kindness and truthfulness”* March 4, 2026 11:52 am
Listening to the Spring Statement, it’s not hard to see why people are disillusioned with politics. The Chancellor began by saying how wonderful the economy was and how everything was going to plan while the Shadow Chancellor responded with how terrible the economy was and how there was no plan. They traded some insults and borderline truths before other MPs were allowed to ask the Chancellor questions. With a few honourable exceptions these questions can be summarised as either “Chancellor, you are the worst and you should resign”, or “Chancellor, can you expound on how wonderful your policies are”. A big row over very little Perhaps it is often like this, but the unedifying performance of it all was underscored by the fact that nothing much was being said. To the approval of almost everyone, the Chancellor has said that there will be only one “fiscal event” (i.e. Budget) each year, to stop the unhelpfully frequent tinkering with taxes and departmental budgets that had become common in recent years. Therefore, as promised, there were no new policy announcements to argue over in the statement. Instead, the Chancellor gave a speech based on the Office of Budgetary Responsibility’s (OBR’s) update of November’s economic forecast. You could sum this up as: it’s mostly as expected, a gradual improvement in the main economic numbers, a bit more tax revenue from asset prices, a bit more unemployment in the next year or so, but it’s all within the envelope of what was expected. However, the OBR’s forecast was finalised before the US/Israeli attack on Iran. The effect of that on economic forecasts (via energy prices and much else) is vastly greater than anything that has happened since November – so the forecast’s numbers need to be taken with more than a pinch of salt. Parliament should regularly scrutinise Government spending and the view of independent experts is vital to this. That needs to happen even if events make the forecasts much more uncertain than usual – but what happened inside the chamber didn’t look a lot like effective scrutiny. The long story of the economy The long story of the UK economy is one of struggle since the 2008 Banking Crisis. Growth – the primary aim of policy makers – has been slow. The environmental consequences of increasing economic activity have become more obvious while it has not translated into improved standards of living for most. This long story initially led to increasing income inequality, followed by increasing wealth inequality[1], followed by a spectacular concentration of wealth in the hands of a very few. The story included rising poverty with 7.2m people experiencing food insecurity including 1 in 3 of the UK’s children. People recognise there is a problem, but the shouting in the Commons chamber feels utterly disconnected from that reality. It seems reminiscent of two people fighting over how heavy a brick to drop on their foot – an important question certainly, but perhaps they should be asking more fundamental questions about their plan’s wisdom. Outside the chamber the public’s main concern is the cost of living – and even the most generous reading of the economic numbers doesn’t indicate that things will move enough to change how people are feeling. The British public currently has a very low view of politics and thinks politicians put party (and self) before people when making decisions. They also feel that politics is unable to find solutions to the nation’s problems. Watching the debate on the statement in Parliament is unlikely to shift anyone’s opinion on these views either. “The British People Deserve Better” The Shadow Chancellor’s response contained the old rhetorical device “the British people deserve better” – and I was left thinking that they do, but perhaps not in the way he meant. The electorate are certainly seeking something better, but it is not entirely clear what they will get. The two parties that have dominated British politics for a century are polling badly. In the recent byelection they came 3rd and 4th, beaten both by Reform UK and the Greens. This disillusionment with politics and shift from ‘traditional’ parties is not only a UK phenomenon. Similar stories can be seen in countries across the world. Parties of the populist right such as AfD[2] in Germany, and Fidesz in Hungary, and the MAGA[3] wing of the Republican Party in the USA, have grown in popularity with their support concentrated in older and male voters, while younger and female voters have tended to move towards Green and more left-wing parties. Opportunity and Change This time of change can feel unsettling and even frightening, especially for those who rightly feel threatened by increasing anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric and policies. However, it also true that structures and institutions that once looked immovable have become less solid, and that presents new opportunities and possibilities for positive change. For Christians who see politics as way of creating a more just world, now is the time to engage. For churches that want to explore how to be more active in seeking justice through politics, JPIT’s Constituency Action Network (CAN) is one way of pursuing a positive and purposeful relationship with your Member of Parliament, that moves beyond the exchange of predictable and unedifying soundbites. * “A politics characterised by listening, kindness and truthfulness” is one of the six hopes that guides JPIT’s work [1] Importantly this isn’t because people saved more – it is because the things wealthier people owned (property, houses, stocks, shares) rapidly increased in value. [2] Alternative for Germany (AfD) [3] Make America Great Again (MAGA) Source
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Tag Archives: URC
Three churches gain “children and youth friendly” status
Three local United Reformed churches have become the latest in a growing number of congregations to receive an accreditation for the work they do engaging young people. The Children and Youth Friendly Church Scheme can help your church improve the … Continue reading
URC members receive Maundy Thursday coins from King
The outstanding Christian service of two URC members were honoured by King Charles on Maundy Thursday. The Revd Louise Gee, an East Midland Synod Pastoral Consultant who also serves as Chaplain and Trustee at Friary Drop In (West Bridgford), and … Continue reading
Around the URC in seven days: 14-21 May 2025
A round up of news from around the United Reformed Church over the past seven days, 14-21 May. Southern Synod Christ Church Petts Wood took on a 70K walking challenge earlier this month to help communities fight the climate crisis. … Continue reading
Inspiring 12-year-old gains Lundie’s March award
A special 12-year-old who people feel “fortunate to be around” has been named the March recipient of the Lundie Memorial Award. Abbie McGregor, who attends Sawston Free Church in Eastern Synod, initially began helping serving refreshments for the church’s holiday … Continue reading
Woking church holds 24-hour fundraiser for Christian Aid
Woking United Reformed Church supported vulnerable communities around the world for charity over the wekend with a round-the-clock praise-athon and youth camp-out. The event, part of Christian Aid Week 2025, took place on 10 and 11 May at the church … Continue reading
Future of Education and Learning in the URC explored
More than 70 people gathered at High Leigh Conference Centre in Hertfordshire last month to explore the future direction of learning within the United Reformed Church. Those gathered included leaders and educators from Resource Centres for Learning (RCL), the Newbigin … Continue reading
URC school launches campaign for new library
Barrow United Reformed Church Primary School has launched a campaign to raise the final £4,000 needed to build a library block. Around £7,000 has already been raised for a new girls’ secondary school at the Bethany Project in Tanzania, and … Continue reading
URC offers greetings and prayers to Pope Leo XIV
The Revd Timothy Meadows, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, has offered Pope Leo XIV greetings and prayers from the URC after his election as Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. “On behalf of the General … Continue reading
VE Day 80: Commemorating peace and unity
Today (8 May) we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. On behalf of friends of the United Reformed Church in the Pfalz, Pfarrer Martin Henninger, Minister of the Lutherkirche in Frankenthal, has … Continue reading
Synod Moderator backs fundraising appeal
The Revd Kim Plumpton, Moderator of the United Reformed Church Northern Synod, is encouraging people to take part in a major charity appeal to help communities around the world. Christian Aid Week – from May 11-17 – sees supporters from all … Continue reading