Photo stories of the week

12 December 2025

Bethlehem celebrates Christmas, a royal carol service, architect’s award for church transformation, Southwark children ‘journey to the manger’, and Dutch painting sells for 12 times its estimate

Alamy

The dark night wakes: A Christmas tree in front of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, last weekend, illuminated for the first time in three years. For the past two years, it has been left unlit because of the conflict in Gaza, but, this year, Christians gathered around it to pray for peace

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UK

Wonders of the oceans are at risk, says Bishop of Norwich

12 Dec 2025

Complaint against Bishop Mullally not properly dealt with, Lambeth Palace admits

11 Dec 2025

Study finds UK religion to be evolving, not fading, in Britain

12 Dec 2025

Safeguarding in Peterborough diocese is improving from ‘low baseline’, audit concludes

12 Dec 2025

‘Extraordinary’ Lewis Carroll letter to clergyman unearthed in Lincoln Cathedral archives

12 Dec 2025

Refugees and asylum-seekers plant bluebells in Welsh churchyard to encourage friendship

12 Dec 2025

Top Comment

Analysis: Money-talk has a moral character

Why do people feel guilty about their spending habits, asks Christian Frank

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Team Rector

East Midlands

Buxton is a thriving market town in the beautiful landscape of the High Peak of Derbyshire known for its cultural heritage as a spa town, and its internationally renowned Buxton International Festival and Opera House

Appointments

Diocesan Director of Vocations & Ordinands

North East

Are you collaborative, discerning, and able to perceive the potential in people? The Bishop of Durham is seeking an ordained person who is passionate about raising, selecting and forming tomorrow’s leaders.

IME2 and 1st Incumbency Enabler

North East

The Bishop of Durham is seeking an emotionally intelligent, innovative and experienced person to form the ordained leaders of Durham Diocese as part of the Growing Leadership Team.

Head of Vocations

East Midlands

The Diocese of Leicester is seeking to appoint an experienced priest with a discerning heart, a deep-rooted spirituality and a refined sense of curiosity, who will be the lead senior diocesan officer for the nurturing, identification, and discernment of ordained and lay vocations.

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Photo stories of the week

Bethlehem celebrates Christmas, a royal carol service, architect’s award for church transformation, Southwark children ‘journey to the manger’, and Dutch painting sells for 12 times its estimate

Other stories

UK news in brief

Church leaders pay tribute to the Duchess of Kent

TV review: What’s the Monarchy For? and Jamie Cooks Christmas

VE Day 80: ‘The brave and the true’ honoured in Westminster Abbey service of thanksgiving

Brothers launch Christmas jumper that ‘points to Christ’

Angela Tilby: A sermon that Prince Harry should heed

UK

Wonders of the oceans are at risk, says Bishop of Norwich

Complaint against Bishop Mullally not properly dealt with, Lambeth Palace admits

Study finds UK religion to be evolving, not fading, in Britain

Safeguarding in Peterborough diocese is improving from ‘low baseline’, audit concludes

‘Extraordinary’ Lewis Carroll letter to clergyman unearthed in Lincoln Cathedral archives

Refugees and asylum-seekers plant bluebells in Welsh churchyard to encourage friendship

Other Topics

Top Comment

Analysis: Money-talk has a moral character

Job of the Week

Team Rector

East Midlands

Appointments

Diocesan Director of Vocations & Ordinands

North East

IME2 and 1st Incumbency Enabler

North East

Head of Vocations

East Midlands

Forthcoming Events

Church Times Festival of Preaching 2026

English Mystics Series course

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events

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