We are beginning 2024 with our news full of war and violence. There doesn't seem to be any sign of these conflicts coming to an end. Should we lose all hope?

I hope this poem helps. It is simply entitled, 'Peace!'.

One of the wise men tells of the role the wise wives played in the visit of the Magi to baby Jesus.

A poem about the joy that comes from the wonderful truth that lies beneath the tinsel and turkey.

Trevor works for the Church of England as a 'pioneer minister'. He has no church responsibilities - just a role to work in the community to share the mission of Christ as opportunity allows using his imagination, a team of other Christians and the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit.

Virginie is a mother in her early forties with two daughters living in the same house that belonged to her husband's grandmother. She has a full time job teaching children aged six. They belong to a Roman Catholic congregation in Thiais, a suburb in the south of Paris.

Robin is the Episcopal Church rector of Napa, a town in a wine-growing region in North California, an area which has been subject to the climate change. In recent years they have suffered from extreme heat, drought and fires, which was followed this year by torrential rainfall in which more rain fell in one twenty-four period than the expected yearly amount.

Andy is a recently retired vicar of Middleton in South Leeds where he served for thirteen years. He is Leeds born and has spent all his life serving, ministering and volunteering in the city, mostly in the least prosperous areas. His favourite pursuits are reading, walking and relating to people.

In this episode, Suzan, explains the contrast between living in South Sudan where she was born and Virginia in the USA. Suzy is married to an American and they have a three year-year-old son. Suzy talks about the insights she has gained from living an international life.

Joan Campbell is a Christian author and blogger living in Johannesburg, South Africa. She has written a major fantasy trilogy that reflects the presence of God and two books of short stories based around individual players in the Scriptures reflecting on how things appear to them from their point of view. Find out more from her website: https://joancampbell.co.za

Joan is a member of Media Associates International (MAI), an international association of Christian authors and publishers.

Sarah is a young mother with two small children working for YWAM (Youth with a Mission). She is a former international envoy for the Mothers' Union based in London.

Sarah explores the presence of God in the darkness of sickness and depression. Her prayer is that those in darkness may find the way to trade pain for joy.