Real Life Crib Service

Children were encouraged to acknowledge the characters of the nativity story by dressing up as one of the key characters for the Journey to Bethlehem Service in Derby Cathedral on Friday 23 December.

The end of ‘pester power’

David Cameron is preparing new curbs on “unscrupulous” companies and shops that expose children to sexualised advertisements and exploit “pester power” to sell goods.

Charity says 70,000 children were homeless at Christmas

Almost 70,000 children woke up on Christmas Day in temporary accommodation in the UK, without a home to call their own, says the housing and homelessness charity Shelter.

The unsettled world of Cambridge choirs

How Andrew Nethsingha and St John's is fighting its 500-year-old corner.

Washington Cathedral’s 2011 Carol premiered

The director needs a little more “SSSSHHHH” and a little less “er” in “shepherd.”

Military Wives storm to the top of the charts and take the Christmas Number One spot

Their single Wherever You Are sold 556,000 copies in the last week - more than the rest of the top 12 combined.

The scandalous women in Christ’s family tree

So what if there was a hint of scandal about Mary, says Ian Harris in The Otago Daily Times. The hope for a messiah was kept alive even through flawed human beings in Jesus' lineage.

Pray for Christchurch – New Zealand bishop

Bishop Victoria Matthews writes in the Anglican Taonga asking for prayers as Christchurch, New Zealand suffered another major earthquake this week, almost one year after a similar temblor struck the city.

Christmas services go outdoors as quakes again hit New Zealand city

Many Christmas church services in Christchurch, New Zealand will be held outdoors this weekend after four strong earthquakes struck within three hours on 23 December, injuring 60, and causing further damage to the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals.

Philippine church leaders join movement against big mining firms

 Leaders from Philippine Roman Catholic and Protestant groups have joined non-government and indigenous peoples' organizations in a renewed campaign against big mining firms. 



Pupils on the border face losing out on school places

Hundreds of children living in Northern Ireland’s border areas could miss out on their first choice of school if a controversial proposal from the NI Education Minister goes ahead.

Social media campaign aims to highlight depression

A social media-led campaign is gaining ground in the run up to Christmas to raise awareness of depression – and how to recognise the symptoms in a loved one.

NI homosexual adoption case put on hold until New Year

An attempt to allow homosexual couples in Northern Ireland to adopt children has been adjourned by the High Court until March.

US donor helps fund Maynooth organ revamp

The great organ of the college chapel at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, is to be rebuilt, refurbished and expanded at a cost of €750,000.

Choir celebrates charity VAT waiver

The Military Wives choir are celebrating after the Government agreed to waive VAT on sales of their soon-to-be chart-topping single.

Big choral plans for St Paul’s Dunedin, New Zealand

George Chittenden, the new director of music at St Paul's Cathedral in the Octagon, Dunedin, wants the cathedral to become known as a centre for musical excellence.

The father of Christmas: What the festive season owes to Charles Dickens

Our idealised Christmas can be traced back to Charles Dickens, who, in need of cash, wrote a string of stories conveying his vision for the festive season. Andrea Mullaney writes in The Scotsman

President Zuma blames Christianity for South Africa’s problems

Jacob Zuma is at the centre of a religious storm in South Africa after reportedly blaming the introduction Christianity in the 19th century for the continent's current problems.

Southern Cone approves Anglican Communion Covenant

At its November (3 to 11) meeting in Asunción, Paraguay, the Executive Committee of the Province of the Southern Cone of America, together with its Bishops, voted to approve the Anglican Covenant.

Exam board to address Leaving Cert ‘predictability’

A report published by the Irish Department of Education has called on the State Examination Commission (SEC) to address predictability in the Leaving Certificate.

Adoption system changes planned to speed up process

UK Children's minister says 'Spanish Inquisition' style adoption process is too slow and bureaucratic

Family structure in Ireland moving beyond the traditional model, study shows

One third of families in Ireland are outside the ‘traditional model’ of a married couple both of whom are in their first marriage, according to a new study.

Recital at St. Peter’s Drogheda – lunchtime today

St.Peter's Church of Ireland, Peter's Street, Drogheda, is the venue for what promises to be an interesting music recital today.

John Rutter: a modern hero for harmony

Choral composer John Rutter talks to Adam Sweeting about his love of melody.

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ Inspires Listeners, Transcends Time

For many, Christmas wouldn't be complete without witnessing or taking part in a performance of Handel's "Messiah." From the local choral society to the heart of the Holy Land, Jerusalem, the impact is felt across the globe.

Clergy invited to join Anglican Communion-wide vacation home swap

Clergy across the Anglican Communion are being invited to join a house-swap scheme that lets priests and their families enjoy a holiday without paying the cost of accommodation.

Frankincense trees under threat, say ecologists

Christmas may not  smell the same in fifty years if something is not done to save the frankincense tree.

US Episcopal Relief & Development gets grant for major HIV/AID work in Zambia

Award will launch program for 4,000 families with children affected by HIV/AID

First Solomon Islander on international Anglican Fellowship

Joe Takeli, who is due to come to the UK in January to take up a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship, will be the first Solomon Islander to come to London on this type of programme.

Mary Robinson: Protecting all women against cervical cancer – a question of justice

Former Irish President Mary Robinson has called on pharmaceutical companies to lower the prices charged for cervical cancer vaccines so more girls can be immunised in low income countries.