Bruce Kent

Bravery does not belong to one flag. This resource book provides prayers, reflections, songs and services for Remembrance Sunday with a global perspective in which all casualties of war are remembered. Much of the material originates from the Movement for the Abolition of War and aims to honour Harry Patch's words: 'War isn't worth one life.'

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Tackling difficult subjects from the pulpit is not an easy task: it takes a degree of courage and sensitivity. Reluctance to risk such preaching often stems from simply not knowing how to go about it. There are many more difficult subjects than could be addressed in the first book of this series, so here are a further 72 topics from Abortion to Wealth, Fraud to Promiscuity, and even the contentious issue of Superstition. Each subject includes a biblical text, some background information, sermon ideas, a story and a thought to take away, with the authors bringing their own expertise and particular style to the format.AuthorsRupert Bristow, Jocelyn Bryan, Tony Castle, Helen Costigane, John Cox, Paul Cox, Brian Fahy, Brendan Geary, Ed Hone, Deborah Jones, Bruce Kent, Alison Moore, Chris Morley, Paul Nicholson, Siobhán O'Keeffe, John Parr, Robert Reiss, Clare Richards, Edgar Ruddock, John Saxbee, Ray Simpson, Joy Tetley, Helen WarwickContents SubjectsAbortionAbstinenceAdoptionAIDS/HIVAmbitionAngerAnimal rightsAnti-semitismAstrologyCapitalismCensorshipChildlessnessConflictDepressionDeprivationDespairDisciplineDiscriminationEmbryologyEuthanasiaExorcismFertility/infertilityFortune-tellingFraudGay marriageGenetic manipulationGluttonyGossipGuiltHealingHuman rightsHungerHypocrisyIslamophobiaLustLyingMagicMaterialismMoneyMulticulturalismNatural DisastersOld ageOrgan transplantPainPermissivenessPersecutionPowerPrejudicePridePrisonPromiscuityPunishmentRapeReconciliationRepentanceResponsibilityResponsible behaviourRevengeRiskScandalSecularismSlanderSterilisationSuperstitionSwearingTheftTokenismTravellers and gypsiesUsuryVivisectionWealthWorld hunger

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A DVD and Guide to address the links between conflict and climate change.This 18 minute DVD, split into six sections, aims to convince people that conflict and climate change are linked, and that they can be tackled together by ordinary people, communities, businesses and governments.It is suitable for use by adult groups, and by older school groups and youth networks.The accompanying booklet discusses some of the major issues raised in the DVD, lists relevant organisations, explains technical terms, and gives references to other sources of information.The Movement for the Abolition of War hopes to promote discussion amongst people of all backgrounds and to encourage the response: 'What can I do?'

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There are at least two things that can be terrifying for a preacher - a blank piece of paper and a Scripture passage set by the lectionary that you really do not want to preach on. Just as the lectionary itself can produce difficulties, so can issues from life's experiences - experiences that we may not ourselves have had but which are certainly faced by many people. These difficult subjects present a challenge to the preacher who seeks to bring to them the Word of God, the Gospel message. This book offers a valuable resource for preachers who want to tackle these subjects and who are looking for help both in terms of background information and the light the Christian faith can shine on them. Each section deals with a different subject by offering a suitable biblical passage, some background information, ideas to help the preacher and a story that could be used as an illustration in the sermon. There is a concluding 'Thought to take away'. The contributors all have expertise or particular interest in the subjects they tackle and bring both knowledge and Christian insight. While following the same pattern, they bring their own style and approach which adds variety and flexibility. The sermon ideas are not intended as scripts to be preached from but as a stimulus for preachers to draw on in creating their own sermons - just the kind of help that the fear of the blank piece of paper looks for. Contents AbuseAdult BullyingAlcohol addictionArms SalesBankers BonusesBody ImageBullying in the workplaceCancerCelebrity Obsessed CultureChild BullyingChild Sexual AbuseCoping with SufferingCost of LivingCreationCrimeDealing with Difficult PeopleDeathDebtDementiaDivorceDomestic ViolenceDrugsFamily BreakdownGamblingGlobal WarmingGM CropsGreen LivingGrowing OldGun and Knife CultureHomosexualityImmigrationInternet PornographyMental HealthMurderMuslims and ChristiansObesityPeer PressurePoliticsPollution and Global WarmingPovertyRacismRecessionRedundancyRelationshipsSexSexismSingle ParentsSuicideTerrorismTheftNHSUnemploymentVandalismViolent CrimeWarfareWomen in the Church (Ordination)World PovertyWorryYouth Culture

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Valerie Flessati and Bruce Kent are lifelong Christian activists and this course reflects their passionate commitment to peace and reconciliation, justice, witness against violence and witness to solidarity. For each of the four weeks they give a scripture reading, questions to think about and discuss, suggestions for prayer and a Christmas carol or song to read, sing or meditate on.

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A comprehensive introduction to Christianity and Christian faith. The title of this book is intentionally and provocatively ambiguous. Faith is more than matters of fact. It involves relationship and trust, a belief in and not simply a belief that. For those who are interested in matters of faith, or those just enquiring, here is a valuable introduction to all aspects of Christianity and Christian faith in a brief and accessible form. You'll find short but informative articles written by a wide range of authors who bring their experience and expertise from different denominations and traditions, giving richness to what is offered here. Whether it is matters of information or a matter of people's relationships with God and one another, it remains true that faith matters. Authors: Alan Bartlett Claire Benton-Evans Rupert Bristow Tony Castle John Clark Peter Colwell Helen Costigane John Cox Paul Cox Tim Elbourne Brian Fahy Richard Garrard Jonathan Greener James Halsall Annie Heppenstall Russell Herbert Garth Hewitt Simon Hill Ed Hone Deborah Jones Bruce Kent Nicholas King Bill Merrington Alison Moore Chris Morley Paul Nicholson Siobhán O'Keeffe Gerald O'Mahony John Parr Tony Redman Robert Reiss Clare Richards Edgar Ruddock John Saxbee David Schofield Ray Simpson Joy Tetley David Winter

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Each of the 235 articles provide both background information as well as biblical and spiritual guidance in a thoughtful and balanced way. They are not intended to give final answers to the problems but seek to act as a stimulus to further and better informed reflection. This book does not shy away from what is sensitive and even controversial. Articles range from the Abuse of Children to Racism, from Divorce to the Arms Trade.Authors includeRupert BristowJocelyn BryanCynthia CapeyTony CastleHelen CostiganeJohn CoxPaul CoxBrian FahyNick FawcettRichard GarrardBrendan GearyEd HoneDeborah JonesBruce KentStephen LoweBill MerringtonAlison MooreChris MorleyPaul NicholsonSiobhán O'KeeffeJohn ParrRobert ReissClare RichardsEdgar RuddockJohn SaxbeeSusan SayersRay SimpsonJohn SymonsJoy TetleyHelen Warwick ContentsAbortionAbstinenceAbuse of adultsAdoptionAdulteryAgnosticismAids/HIVAlcoholAmbitionAngerAnimal rightsAnorexia nervosaAnti-SemitismAnxietyArmed forcesArms tradeAstrologyAsylum seekers and refugeesAtheismAuthorityBereavementBetrayalBirthBoastingBody awarenessBonusesBullyingCancerCapitalismCensorshipChanceChangeChastityCheatingChild sexual abuseChildlessnessCitizenshipCivil authoritiesColleaguesCommunityCompetitivenessConflictConscienceConserving speciesContraceptionConversion from other faithsCosmosCountrysideCourageCreation and creationismCreditCremationCrimeCriticismDeathDeath penaltyDebtDemocracyDepressionDeprivationDespairDisabilityDisciplineDisputesDivorceDoubtDreamsDrugsDutyDyingEducationEmbryologyEmploymentEncouragementEnvironmentEnvyEqualityEuthanasiaExorcismExploitationFair tradeFamilyFamily relationshipsFamineFashionFateFearFertility and infertilityForgivenessFortune tellingFraudFreedomFriendshipFuneralsGamblingGames of chanceGenderGenerosityGenetic manipulationGivingGluttonyGM cropsGossipGreedGuiltHappinessHatredHealingHealthHereditary illnessHolidaysHomosexualityHonestyHospitalityHuman rightsHygieneHypocrisyImmigrantsIncestInclusionInter-faith encountersInternetIslamophobiaJoyJusticeKillingKindnessLeadershipLeisureLiesLossLoveLustMagicMarriageMaterialismMediaMental illnessMercyMoneyMorality - public and privateMulticulturalismNationalismNatural disastersNeighbourOathsObedienceOccultOld ageOpennessOrgan transplantPainParentingPatiencePaying taxesPeacePeer pressurePermissivenessPersecutionPetsPoliticsPoorPop culturePornographyPossessionsPowerPowerlessnessPrejudicePridePrioritiesPrisonPrivacyPromiscuityProstitutionProtestPublic transportPunishmentRacismRapeReconciliationRecyclingRedundancyRemarriageRepentanceRespectRetirementRevengeReverence for lifeRiskScandalScienceSéancesSecularismSelf-harmingSelf-importanceSelf-justificationSelf-knowledgeSelf-worthServiceSexual abuseSexual exploitationSharingSinceritySlanderSpace explorationSterilisationStripteaseSwearingSymbolsTeetotalismTheftTimeTippingTokenismToleranceTransgenderTraveller GypsiesTrustTruthUse of timeUsuryVandalismVanityVegetarianismVictimsViolenceVivisectionVocationVolunteeringWagesWarWealthWitchcraftWomen's rightsWork

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