Welcome to an autumnal newsletter from Together for the Common Good. With an election in view, how should people across the churches respond? Refusing the temptation to be tribal would be a good start. Is this not a time to build trust?
Without a renewed sense of belonging, no political promises will save us, no policy will be sustainable and we will face an even greater unravelling. Until we arrive at a new settlement that honours all our communities - not only the interests of liberal progressives but of the socially conservative too - there will be continuing volatility.
Rooted in place, people across the churches can help to strengthen the bonds of social trust. By being faithful witnesses to the transcendent in our relationship with Christ, by valuing the fruits that others have sown for us in the past, and by sewing seeds of faith in each other, we honour our shared humanity as neighbours and fellow citizens. In other words, building the Common Good. This is the great task of our time.
So in this edition we are honoured to bring you a beautiful short essay by Luigino Bruni on the breakdown of trust and its relationship to the economic and cultural crises afflicting Europe, and a new lecture from Maurice Glasman setting out how Catholic Social Thought provides a framework for social, political and economic renewal.
We are delighted too, to share a reflection on bridge-building leadership by Andrew Bradstock about his forthcoming biography David Sheppard: Batting for the Poor. Also below, Matt Wilson looks at how congregations can serve communities by transforming their relationship with money.
Don't miss our Common Good training resources for schools and lay people, details of a new course for those in Christian leadership in January, and an event for young people coming up in December. And much more for you to explore below...
Why are we seeing a breakdown in trust? Luigino Bruni in a short and beautiful essay takes us on an economic and social history of Europe to reveal the roots of our modern crises. He shows why faithful people are essential to witness that there is life beyond the material - to 'pierce the roof' - to make the transcendent known. An eminent historian of economic thought with interests in philosophy and theology, Bruni is professor of political economy at Maria Santissima Assunta Free University.
We are delighted to share a new lecture by Maurice Glasman in which he sets out how Catholic Social Thought provides a framework for our social renewal, especially in relation to our political economy. Given as the annual Craigmyle Lecture, it was hosted by the Catholic Union of Great Britain. In his opening remarks he said "I am a Jew, and to invite someone of a different faith to speak on the teachings of the Catholic Church is a very generous act."
There is much discussion about what churches can do to heal divides. Here, to mark the publication of the authorised biography of David Sheppard: Batting for the Poor,author Andrew Bradstock reflects on the role of the Church in a time of division, highlighting the bridge-building partnership between Sheppard and his Catholic counterpart, Archbishop Derek Worlock a generation ago.
Our 2-day training workshop for those in Christian leadership: 15-16 January 2020
In a divided society, how can churches act for the Common Good? If you are asking this question and you are a priest, pastor, vicar, lay leader, chaplain or religious brother or sister, you may be interested in our two-day residential workshop. Hosted by Sarum College in association with T4CG.
How will we prepare our young people for an uncertain future?
The 10-week Common Good Schools programme helps to build character, and to foster engagement within the local community.
Refresh your sense of mission and equip the people of your church to strengthen social trust and build community, by hosting our one-day Here: Now: Us PeopleCommon Good training workshop.
"The Common Good is the shared life of a society in which everyone can flourish - as we act together in different ways that all contribute towards that goal, enabled by social conditions that mean every single person can participate.
We create these conditions and pursue that goal by working together across our differences, each of us taking responsibility according to our calling and ability."
Matt Wilson introduces a new four-part course for churches to transform their relationship with money. By reflecting on God's economics, the course helps church members generate practical and constructive ways to contribute to their communities, from Generosity Dinners to Common Funds.
On our website we share information about our own events and a general listing page for announcements by our friends and partners. The latest listings include events by Sarum College, Jubilee +, St Mary's University, T4CG, Liverpool Cathedral and more. Read more...
Please tell us if you know of an event you want to see listed.
A public debate for young Christians working in London - 16 December 2019
T4CG'sNew Perspectives Network is hosting this exciting event in partnership with Just Love for young Christians of all traditions and political positions. The excellent panel of speakers includes: David Goodhart, Dr Anna Rowlands, Tim Farron MP, Kunle Olulode and the Ven. Karen Lund.
Our regular helicopter view of the latest Common Good
activity across the churches will be back in the next edition
A NOTE ABOUT T4CG
Together for the Common Good helps people across the churches
play their part to strengthen the bonds of social trust.
We do this through resources, training and events.
Everything we do is in partnership and boosted by help in kind and the pro bono support of our wonderful associates and volunteers.
The demand for our work is growing, but without a good number of regular donors
we cannot plan ahead. Would you join us and make a regular donation?
Click here to lend your support.
About us
Together for the Common Good is a charity working to strengthen the bonds of social trust to ensure the flourishing of all. Our work calls people to fulfil their vocational responsibility by putting Common Good principles into practice and by working with others of different opinions and backgrounds in shared purpose.
T4CG partners with people across the churches and offers resources, training and events.
We are non partisan, independent, ecumenical in character and proud of our different Christian traditions.
Our People
Team: Jenny Sinclair (Founder Director) and Alison Gelder (Director of Operations, p/t)
Catherine Brady (Director of Resource Development, pro bono)
Board of Trustees: Richard Holman (Treasurer and Acting Chair)
Catherine Brady, Andrew Bradstock, Geoff Knott, Holly Terry (Company Secretary).
T4CG punches above its weight thanks to help-in-kind and our wonderful Associates, Volunteers and Working Groups who contribute on a pro bono basis to different strands of our work, too many to name here.
We'd like to thank in particular Fiona Foreman, Vincent Neate, Nicholas Townsend, Annette McBride, Miriam Brittenden, Tom Ketteringham and Joanne Rolling.
Our sincere thanks
We are most grateful to our regular donors for their faithful generosity.
The Sisters of Mercy kindly allow us to use free office space.
CCLA has generously sponsored the design and build of our smart new website.
