3rd August 2025

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Holiday Reading & Listening:
The Rooted Podcast from the Bible Society

In April, the Bible Society published a report entitled The Quiet Revival, in which they present the results of a YouGov survey into Christianity and churchgoing in 2024 (to read this report, click here). One striking feature of the report is that 67% of churchgoing Christians report reading the Bible at least weekly outside church.

The Rooted Podcast from the Bible Society, a free resource that accompanies a (paid) journal, is one strategy to meet that need. I came across it pretty much by chance on a rainy Thursday in June when I decided not to go on my usual walk but to listen to something interesting instead. I found the analysis of Pentecost (the last of the currently recorded episodes - the team are taking a break) both intellectually fascinating and spiritually challenging.

If you have taken part in home group studies such as the Bible Course and the Romans Course, you will know what to expect from the podcasts. They take the form of an interview with one or more experts on the passage being studied, and combine both an in-depth look at a Bible passage with a friendly, accessible approach. Each one lasts between 30 and 45 minutes - just right for a commute, a run, a dog walk...

Topics covered include:
   •   the Sermon on the Mount, and some of Jesus' most radical teachings
   •   Paul's letter to the Philippians
   •   key themes and apocalyptic imagery in the book of Daniel
   •   wisdom, wealth, honesty and conflict in Proverbs
   •   Jesus' parables and what they mean for us today

The Bible is a wonderful resource - an incredible collection of texts in different literary forms, written by different people at different times, inspired by the same Holy Spirit. Inspired by that same Spirit, we too can meet with the Sovereign God of the universe in its pages, as that God chooses to reveal himself, most uniquely in the person and work of his Son, Jesus.

But the Bible is a dangerous resource - "sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). Through the centuries, people have misused the Bible to justify evils from anti-Semitism to slavery, to uphold oppressive political systems from feudalism to Nazi-ism, to exclude those who are different rather than include all in the love of God for the whole world. Small wonder that some of the younger respondents to the Bible Society survey found that their faith was challenged by parts of what they read.

For faith to flourish, we need to read our Bibles - but we need to read them well. The Rooted podcast is just one resource that might help us do that.

Jessica name

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New to Church?

If you're coming to Holy Trinity with St John's for the first time, this information will help you know what to expect.

Where and When?

Our 8am service is at our Holy Trinity Site (location details here).

Our 10:30am service is at our St John's Site (location details here).

For more information about our different Sunday services, please click here.

What about my children?

We actively welcome families with children of all ages. If your child is a baby or a toddler, they will remain with you for the duration of the service. A welcomer will give you a Toddler Bag as you come in - these contain a variety of toys and games to entertain your child. We are aware that it can be very hard for a toddler to remain in their seat throughout the service. If your child is getting restless, there is space on the carpeted area at the back where they can move about - and don't worry at all if they make a noise!

To find out more about our groups for children and young people aged 3-18, please click here.

Midweek Activities

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Christians Against Poverty

We are pleased to be working in partnership with Christians Against Poverty (CAP), a national debt support and advice charity that works through a network of centres based in local churches. More ...