I believe that a quiet revolution is under way. At the School of Contemplative Life, we host twice-weekly online meditation gatherings, following an ancient practice of the early Christian desert contemplatives. No music; a few words; then meditation practice.

These gatherings have quickly become host to the largest online Christian meditation community in the UK. Many who join are not churchgoers. Some would not call themselves religious, and yet they are drawn to silence. They recognise the wisdom and healing to be found in this simple, ancient way of prayer.

In a preliminary study with the University of Derby, 87 per cent of the participants said that, since practising in this group, they felt a deeper connection with God; 83 per cent said that their lives were more aligned with their values; and 76 per cent reported greater inner peace. As one person put it, “Peace now feels tangible, and possible, and present — not just an idealistic goal.”

In an age of distraction, division, and digital noise, people are not turning away from spirituality, but seeking ways to explore and nurture it; and yet, in their efforts to attract people, some churches look to the marketplace — slogans, sleek branding, artisan coffee — rather than what is under their noses.

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In an age of distraction and noise, Christian meditation can meet people’s thirst for spirituality, says Chris Whittington @SchoolofCLife #meditation #christianmeditation #spirituality #contemplation https://t.co/FCz19DVxlO

— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) November 11, 2025

Chinese financial institutions have lent more than $200 billion to the United States over the past 25 years — more than they have advanced to any other country — as part of a vast global spending spree to take control of Western companies working on sensitive technologies, according to new research released Tuesday.

China discloses very little about the operations of its state-owned banks and asset managers.

But AidData, a research lab at William & Mary University in Williamsburg, Virginia, reported what it called an “unexpected and counterintuitive” finding: Between 2000 and 2023, Chinese financial institutions backed 2,500 projects — including gas pipelines and airport terminals — in almost every U.S. state.

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Chinese lenders have extended more than $200 billion to the U.S. over the past 25 years as part of a vast global spending spree to take control of Western companies working on sensitive technologies, according to new research. https://t.co/b6eB9c2Oix

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 18, 2025

O God of peace, by whose grace the abbess Hilda was endowed with gifts of justice, prudence, and strength to rule as a wise mother over the nuns and monks of her household: Raise up these gifts in us, that we, following her example and prayers, might build up one another in love to the benefit of thy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Today is the feast of St Hilda, Abbess of Whitby (d.680). 'So great was her wisdom that even kings & princes sought her counsel', says Bede. pic.twitter.com/SkNZ74rDCv

— Eleanor Parker (@ClerkofOxford) November 17, 2016

Grant, O Lord, that as thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ prayed for his enemies on the cross, so we may have grace to forgive those that wrongfully or scornfully use us; that we ourselves may be able to receive thy forgiveness; though the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment. He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”

–Revelation 21:1-8