Happy New Year! The start of 2023 provides an opportunity to give yourself a spiritual makeover. Perhaps you could connect with God in a new way, invest in a spiritual discipline you’ve been neglecting, deepen your faith through study or plan a retreat. Here are 23 ideas to make that connection.

For many of us, the Christmas holidays provide an opportunity to catch up with some quality reading and listening. Here’s what I’m looking forward to this year.

This week two of our young people have been confirmed. It’s great to be able to share their testimonies here.

Welcome to our new-look blog on our brand new website!

With Advent Sunday just days away, your Vicar has the answers to all your important seasonal questions. (Note: the answers are not theological and do not represent the views of St Mary of Bethany Church or, indeed, anyone else.)

Over the next few weeks we hope that hundreds of people will join us for our Christmas services, to watch England play in the World Cup or to make use of our warm space. It is our prayer that you will feel blessed and want to come back, whatever the reason for your visit.

The men’s football World Cup is just a month away and we’re going to be showing all England’s games on the big screen in church. We offer a warm and inclusive space, less crowded than your local pub and hopefully with better language! You can bring your own drinks and snacks and mingle with other local people in the warm heart of Mount Hermon.

We live in momentous times. The Queen’s death is a unique moment in our national life. While we mourn an extraordinary woman of faith, there are various opportunities which can be grasped at this time of transition.

If you’re struggling with the changes so far, and you’re uncertain where we’re going or how we’ll get there, reflect on God’s priorities and his timing. If our plans are his plans, then he will help us to realise them.

As we see changes in our church family and the way we do things, much stays the same – the warmth and kindness of the community here, our openness to different kinds of people and our hospitality. Wherever you are on your journey with God, we hope to help you to take the next step; that’s something which definitely won’t change.

Every now and then I take a look at recent film, TV, books and popular culture, to see how Christians can think about the underlying values depicted and make connections to the gospel. Here’s my latest scout around the world of entertainment.