Paul Bayes
@paulbayes.bsky.social
He/him. Gracehoper, widowed, father, grandfather, retired bishop, diminished and gone into the West.
Reposted by Paul Bayes
If Jesus is King, it is the weirdest “kingship” ever not-known in history...because he invited everyone to a shared table and proclaimed liberation. The kingdom he envisioned was one of human solidarity, non-violence, and shared goods.
Christ (The) No Kings Sunday
open.substack.com/pub/dianabut...
Christ (The) No Kings Sunday
open.substack.com/pub/dianabut...
Christ (The) No Kings Sunday
A Sunday Musing
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:35 PM
If Jesus is King, it is the weirdest “kingship” ever not-known in history...because he invited everyone to a shared table and proclaimed liberation. The kingdom he envisioned was one of human solidarity, non-violence, and shared goods.
Christ (The) No Kings Sunday
open.substack.com/pub/dianabut...
Christ (The) No Kings Sunday
open.substack.com/pub/dianabut...
Steve’s voice will be very greatly missed in the national Church as well as in the Diocese. I pray for him and his as this transition begins.
The Bishop of Oxford since 2016, Dr Steven Croft, has announced that he will retire in July 2026
Read the full story at churchtimes.co.uk 👇
#bishopofoxford #bishops #retirements #churchofengland #churchnews #churchtimes
Read the full story at churchtimes.co.uk 👇
#bishopofoxford #bishops #retirements #churchofengland #churchnews #churchtimes
Bishop of Oxford announces his retirement
Dr Croft will lay down his crozier on 31 May next year
www.churchtimes.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Steve’s voice will be very greatly missed in the national Church as well as in the Diocese. I pray for him and his as this transition begins.
I’m very grateful to Anderson for speaking out so effectively. I’m sure he is not the only Bishop, and certainly not the only Christian, who will be repelled by the tone and the effect of the disastrous posturings of what I had thought was a Labour government. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Anglican bishop shaken ‘to the core’ by home secretary’s asylum seeker comments
Bishop of Edmonton says people coming to UK are being ‘scapegoated’ for years of policy failures
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I’m very grateful to Anderson for speaking out so effectively. I’m sure he is not the only Bishop, and certainly not the only Christian, who will be repelled by the tone and the effect of the disastrous posturings of what I had thought was a Labour government. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Paul Bayes
Any #CofEpeeps following the sorry saga of #LLF should read this powerful response by Professor Mike Higton to the "misappropriation" of his work in the recent Faith and Order Commission paper on doctrine, intended to inform the House of Bishops decision-making. viamedia.news/2025/11/17/c...
Cries of Suffering: A Response to ‘The Nature of Doctrine and the Living God’ - ViaMedia.News
by Mike Higton, Professor of Theology and Ministry at Durham University The Faith and Order Commission’s recent document on ‘The Nature of Doctrine and the Living God’ (GS Misc 1429) is not, in my jud...
viamedia.news
November 17, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Any #CofEpeeps following the sorry saga of #LLF should read this powerful response by Professor Mike Higton to the "misappropriation" of his work in the recent Faith and Order Commission paper on doctrine, intended to inform the House of Bishops decision-making. viamedia.news/2025/11/17/c...
Reposted by Paul Bayes
Someone should ask Starmer and Mahmood whether they think the Kindertransport, for example, should have been a return ticket. Whether Alf Dubs, rather than becoming a Labour MP and now Lord, ought to have been sent back with his family to Czechoslovakia once it was liberated from German rule.
This contribution to the volume of human misery is yet another policy from Labour based on a false premise, in this case that refugees are overly attracted to Britain. It will increase bureaucratic limbo, thus making worse the problem of "cohesion" it purports to solve.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Someone should ask Starmer and Mahmood whether they think the Kindertransport, for example, should have been a return ticket. Whether Alf Dubs, rather than becoming a Labour MP and now Lord, ought to have been sent back with his family to Czechoslovakia once it was liberated from German rule.
I’ve signed it too. If you agree with this letter, please sign it.
I've signed this open letter. #CofEpeeps, lay or ordained, if you want the church to become more fully affirming of LGBTQ+ folks, please read this letter from Inclusive Church and consider signing it.
www.inclusive-church.org/llf-open-let...
www.inclusive-church.org/llf-open-let...
LLF Open Letter – Inclusive Church
www.inclusive-church.org
October 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I’ve signed it too. If you agree with this letter, please sign it.
Reposted by Paul Bayes
‘Once upon a time you crossed the threshold into faith, and there you still are, but the air you breathe has changed.’ @paulbayes.bsky.social responds to unexpected changes in life and faith: dlted.substack.com/i/176925510/...
Life Happens
Circumstances and our faith perspectives can change suddenly and unexpectedly. Paul Bayes advises us not to fear change, but to learn to breathe new air.
dlted.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:08 PM
‘Once upon a time you crossed the threshold into faith, and there you still are, but the air you breathe has changed.’ @paulbayes.bsky.social responds to unexpected changes in life and faith: dlted.substack.com/i/176925510/...
Spotted in the wild! Available from your local bookshop, or via DLT (dartonlongmantodd.co.uk/titles/2414-...) or even Amazon 🙂.
September 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Spotted in the wild! Available from your local bookshop, or via DLT (dartonlongmantodd.co.uk/titles/2414-...) or even Amazon 🙂.
Here comes Nietzsche, but much ritzsche. Tragic history repeated as farce.
Billionaire Trump Donor/Antichrist expert Peter Thiel Blames Christianity for “Wokeness”:
“Maybe you should think of wokeness as ultra-Christianity or hyper-Christianity.”
“It always takes the side of the the victim.”
Um, is this pro or anti Christ?
www.mediaite.com/media/news/b...
“Maybe you should think of wokeness as ultra-Christianity or hyper-Christianity.”
“It always takes the side of the the victim.”
Um, is this pro or anti Christ?
www.mediaite.com/media/news/b...
Billionaire GOP Donor Peter Thiel Blames Christianity for ‘Wokeness’: ‘It Always Takes the Side of the Victim’
Billionaire GOP donor Peter Thiel blamed Christianity for the proliferation of "wokeness" in a recent interview, lamenting that it takes the side of victims.
www.mediaite.com
September 17, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Here comes Nietzsche, but much ritzsche. Tragic history repeated as farce.
This is absolutely the case. I honour those bishops and others who have spoken out for the values of the faith they hold. I hope that all Christians, lay and ordained, will make use of whatever platform they have to oppose the growth of hatred in our nation.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on Christianity and the UK far right: churches must stand up to the false prophets of division | Editorial
Editorial: Symbols of Christian nationalism were prominent at last Saturday’s ‘unite the kingdom’ march. Their deployment had little to do with religious faith
www.theguardian.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:01 PM
This is absolutely the case. I honour those bishops and others who have spoken out for the values of the faith they hold. I hope that all Christians, lay and ordained, will make use of whatever platform they have to oppose the growth of hatred in our nation.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Well, here you go, friends. Some reflections on truth-telling, grief and uncertainty in fragmented times. You can get it via Amazon, or you may well prefer to order from your friendly local bookshop or directly from the publisher (dartonlongmantodd.co.uk/.../2414-978...) Thanks!
September 17, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Well, here you go, friends. Some reflections on truth-telling, grief and uncertainty in fragmented times. You can get it via Amazon, or you may well prefer to order from your friendly local bookshop or directly from the publisher (dartonlongmantodd.co.uk/.../2414-978...) Thanks!
I’m sorry to see that Nicholas Grimshaw has died. His architecture has enriched the world. It’s a privilege to live on the same street in Bath as this iconic piece.
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
September 16, 2025 at 7:36 PM
I’m sorry to see that Nicholas Grimshaw has died. His architecture has enriched the world. It’s a privilege to live on the same street in Bath as this iconic piece.
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
This bodes ill for intelligent conversation on the relationship between faith and citizenship. Kruger has become the primary exponent of so-called Christian nationalism in the UK.
Conservative MP Danny Kruger defects to Reform UK www.bbc.com/news/article...
Conservative MP Danny Kruger defects to Reform UK www.bbc.com/news/article...
Conservative MP Danny Kruger defects to Reform UK
The East Wiltshire MP said the Conservatives were no longer the principal party of opposition.
www.bbc.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:33 AM
This bodes ill for intelligent conversation on the relationship between faith and citizenship. Kruger has become the primary exponent of so-called Christian nationalism in the UK.
Conservative MP Danny Kruger defects to Reform UK www.bbc.com/news/article...
Conservative MP Danny Kruger defects to Reform UK www.bbc.com/news/article...
❤️
Finally got my hands on a physical copy of this today (they've been stored with the Priest who we had them delivered to) and it's safe to say that I'm Obsessed.
To coincide with Leicester Pride this year we're debuting a new project: 'Communion: A Queer Christian Zine', created with an ethos of grassroots organising and radical sharing, with the finished product being freely available for anyone to print and distribute among their own communities.
August 28, 2025 at 6:43 PM
❤️
Dreadful. No courage, no vision, no readiness or reasons to stand for human values and dignity and welcome. This pitiful spinelessness disgraces us all.
No10 spokesman not prepared to criticise anything about Farage speech today.
Not his description of "invasion", not his prediction that the UK on brink of civil war, not plans to pay the Taliban or Iran to take back migrants, or indeed to rule out doing so themselves.
Not his description of "invasion", not his prediction that the UK on brink of civil war, not plans to pay the Taliban or Iran to take back migrants, or indeed to rule out doing so themselves.
August 26, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Dreadful. No courage, no vision, no readiness or reasons to stand for human values and dignity and welcome. This pitiful spinelessness disgraces us all.
Reposted by Paul Bayes
If ever I feel blue about the state of the world. If ever all of it makes me feel hopeless and forlorn. I do one simple thing. And that one thing is running "tesla sales" through any news search engine. And a glimmer of hope arises that the arc of justice may actually exist.
August 21, 2025 at 7:02 PM
If ever I feel blue about the state of the world. If ever all of it makes me feel hopeless and forlorn. I do one simple thing. And that one thing is running "tesla sales" through any news search engine. And a glimmer of hope arises that the arc of justice may actually exist.
Yes indeed. Britain isn’t the US – but conservative Christian US money buys a lot here.
Britain isn't the US - but is Christian nationalism becoming a political force here?
I spoke to US author Katherine Stewart about dark money, and the growing transatlantic ties, from Nigel Farage and JD Vance to Paul Marshall and James Orr.
New on D4S:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/could-proj...
I spoke to US author Katherine Stewart about dark money, and the growing transatlantic ties, from Nigel Farage and JD Vance to Paul Marshall and James Orr.
New on D4S:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/could-proj...
Could Project 2025 happen here?
The Christian Right that propelled Trump to power is coming for Britain, says American investigative journalist Katherine Stewart.
democracyforsale.substack.com
August 20, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Yes indeed. Britain isn’t the US – but conservative Christian US money buys a lot here.
Reposted by Paul Bayes
If Trump sells out Ukraine, Britain must lead a coalition of the willing to defend our continent without him.
EXCLUSIVE: Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is said to support proposal revealed before president meets Putin in Alaska on Friday
US and Russia ‘plan West Bank-style occupation of Ukraine’
www.thetimes.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:51 PM
If Trump sells out Ukraine, Britain must lead a coalition of the willing to defend our continent without him.
This is an outstanding appointment, and one which gives real hope for the future. Hooray!
Congratulations to Bishop Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth, who has just been elected to be the new Archbishop of Wales!
Llongyfarchiadau i Esgob Cherry Vann, Esgob Mynwy, sydd newydd gael ei ethol yn Archesgob newydd Cymru!
#ChurchInWales #EglwysYngNghymru #ArchbishopOfWales
Llongyfarchiadau i Esgob Cherry Vann, Esgob Mynwy, sydd newydd gael ei ethol yn Archesgob newydd Cymru!
#ChurchInWales #EglwysYngNghymru #ArchbishopOfWales
July 30, 2025 at 2:29 PM
This is an outstanding appointment, and one which gives real hope for the future. Hooray!
Reposted by Paul Bayes
Recognition of the state of Palestine should not be used as a bargaining chip. It should have happened months ago.
We also need far greater action to stop the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, including fully ceasing arms sales and implementing sanctions against the Israeli cabinet.
We also need far greater action to stop the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, including fully ceasing arms sales and implementing sanctions against the Israeli cabinet.
July 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Recognition of the state of Palestine should not be used as a bargaining chip. It should have happened months ago.
We also need far greater action to stop the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, including fully ceasing arms sales and implementing sanctions against the Israeli cabinet.
We also need far greater action to stop the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, including fully ceasing arms sales and implementing sanctions against the Israeli cabinet.
This is well said.
The accusation that Corbyn's Labour "hated Britain" in truth meant Corbyn had disdain for the symbols of Britain: flag, army, royal family. Where as the modern Right actually hates literal Britain: the capital city and other urban areas, the people, the NHS and its employees, the education sector...
July 19, 2025 at 5:42 PM
This is well said.
Reposted by Paul Bayes
“He didn’t think of himself as a film-maker or a gardener or a painter or a political activist […] He wasn’t a queer artist. He was an artist. All of that was his art.” – Amanda Wilkinson #DerekJarman www.theguardian.com/film/2025/ju...
‘The hot tar splashed everywhere’: remembering the dark magic of Derek Jarman
In 1989, the artist was living on the Kentish coast when he created a series of mysterious paintings with a bonfire and tar. A new exhibition brings these so-called Black Paintings to life – and shows...
www.theguardian.com
July 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
“He didn’t think of himself as a film-maker or a gardener or a painter or a political activist […] He wasn’t a queer artist. He was an artist. All of that was his art.” – Amanda Wilkinson #DerekJarman www.theguardian.com/film/2025/ju...
Reposted by Paul Bayes
There is still time to register for a September start on the Queen's Online university-validated awards (Theology Ministry and Mission). Experience flexible online courses in an innovative format.
Explore undergraduate and postgraduate options at queens.ac.uk/Online
Explore undergraduate and postgraduate options at queens.ac.uk/Online
July 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
There is still time to register for a September start on the Queen's Online university-validated awards (Theology Ministry and Mission). Experience flexible online courses in an innovative format.
Explore undergraduate and postgraduate options at queens.ac.uk/Online
Explore undergraduate and postgraduate options at queens.ac.uk/Online