• Predictions 2023

    1. Generative artificial intelligence will become significantly disruptive of many sectors this year. Education practices will change quickly as a result of this but education will be but one of many areas of life to be affected.
    2. No progress for those seeking marriage equality in the Church of England. There will be a lot of talk about moving towards some form of official blessings for same-sex couples which would have the effect of thwarting those seeking actual equality, making it more difficult to achieve. Further division amongst pro-gay activists in the Church of England.
    3. Indyref 2 will not happen on 19 October 2023 as Nicola Sturgeon had hoped, which is a shame for those seeking to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK as the autumn will be the high water mark for the Indepedence movement. It will be downhill into the next General Election after that.
    4. Trump and Biden will both declare that they intend to run for the US presidency in 2024 and American politics will continue to be all about Donald Trump.
    5. Covid recovery remains bumpy, particularly through supply-chain problems due to mismanagement of Covid in China.
    6. No conclusive end to the war in Ukraine this year.
    7. Governments in Westminster and Holyrood will announce some kind of “new deal” for the National Heath Service.
    8. UK Government will not succeed in blocking Scottish Gender Recognition Reform.
    9. Liam McArthur’s bill in the Scottish Parliamant to allow doctors to participate in the killing of terminally ill patients will fail to receive parliamentary approval but will receive more support than similar proposals have before.
    10. Changes announced to the UK honours system, perhaps at the time of the Coronation, to remove references to empire. OBE becomes Order of British Excellence.

7 responses to “M 40, GSOH obviously…”

  1. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    Not sure if you read “Christianity” magazine, but they have had an “agony” column for the last few months which has addressed mostly sexual issues and has caused a storm of debate on the letters pages about their suitability in a “family” publication. The topics covered are among those least likely to be heard in a sermon but very important for christians to think through.

    I am dubious as to whether “Inspire” has the nerve to take up either of your suggestions.

  2. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    Thanks for the comment Rachel. I don’t read Christianity so I was unaware of this. How very interesting.

    Inspires does not claim to be a family magazine – it is for everyone, but I could easily imagine the same kind of debate.

    The most interesting thing about the kind of reaction that you describe is that people seem to be saying that such topics should not be discussed in a family setting. I’ve a feeling that this is a particularly strong view in the UK and very different to what seems to be the case in, for example, the Netherlands, where there would be a presumption that the family was exactly the right place for open discussion.

  3. Rev Ruth Avatar

    Rev F (50), small rectory, seeks clergy-wife /scrubber to keep house tidy, prepare meals and listen after a long hard day. GSOH essential.

  4. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    Mother R, has it passed you by that slavery has been abolished?

  5. Kimberly Avatar

    I think we need to combine this post with last:

    Fr Kevin’s agony-auntie weblog–

    relationship-guidance, fashion, vocational questions, handy household tips …

    just watch the blog-stats soar

  6. Rob+ Avatar

    M 38 happily attached… still waiting for that Liturgy though

    maybe I can bitch to agony-auntie for some help 😉

  7. Andrew Avatar
    Andrew

    Almost new liturgy (one careful Methodist owner) seeks a church for meals and occasional companionship. Comes complete with canonical approval and Guild of Servers certification. Affectionate, but a little nervous with children and Archbishop Drexel Gomez. No Anglican Hymn-book time wasters please.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Posts

  • The Sacraments: Communion

    I’m currently writing a series of articles on the sacraments for the cathedral website. They are being posted here in case anyone wants to comment or ask any further questions. This article from the Provost will form part of a series on the sacraments. Lots of different churches have different names for the meal of…

  • Nuns, knitting and why prayer is like a Carry On film

    Sermon preached on 24 July 2016 I had a cup of tea beside me as I tried to pretend to read a very worthy book about prayer than had been recommended for me by a Franciscan friar. I still have the book and I’ve still not finished it even now nearly 25 years later. I’d…

  • Sermon – post referendum

    Here’s what I had to say today in the pulpit following this week’s political turmoil after the recent referendum. Video: https://vimeo.com/172288986   “Lord do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And Jesus…

  • Brexit – Five First Quick Thoughts

    My first thoughts on waking to the news of the result of the referendum on membership of the EU are not with the markets nor about sovereignty but with individuals. In particular, my thoughts are with the considerable numbers of members of my own congregation who have come from the rest of the EU to…