When describing the health of the US economy, there is a temptation among economists, market analysts, and politicians to argue that the only true picture of our current situation is a sweeping portrait — only by looking at the broadest of aggregate statistics can you determine the state of play, they argue. But the wide view can ignore important developments unfolding under the surface. Sometimes, even the healthiest-looking person might have high cholesterol.

Right now, the economy seems OK on the surface. GDP growth has been running north of 3% for the last two quarters. In the labor market, the boilerplate appears to be that conditions are gradually cooling, but nothing more, nothing less. For example, despite the slowdown in new hiring, the unemployment rate of 4.4% is still low by historical standards. But there are serious dangers lurking beneath the surface of our economy, and it is better to clearly identify them than to ignore them in favor of broad aggregate measures.

Major employers in industries like homebuilding and restaurants are looking shaky, and they offer ominous signs about the direction of the overall economy. By getting a sense of what sectors and industries are struggling, you can get a forward-looking sense of the economy’s trajectory and a clearer-eyed view of the possibility of recession.

Read it all.

Read of the Weekend. Once more, Dutta with devastating Charts. @RenMacLLC https://t.co/o5t4kotvIL

— tom keene (@tomkeene) November 24, 2025

Almighty God, who didst choose thy servant Clement of Rome to recall the Church in Corinth to obedience and stability: Grant that thy Church may be grounded and settled in thy truth by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and may evermore be kept blameless in thy service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever (moved from yesterday).

Clement was born in Rome of royal lineage and was a contemporary of the holy apostles. His mother and two brothers, traveling on the sea, were carried by a storm to different places#orthodox_times https://t.co/GTCyQveAxE

— Orthodox Times (@orthodox_times) November 24, 2025

Almighty God, Lord of the storm and of the calm, the vexed sea and the quiet haven, of day and of night, of life and of death, – grant unto us so to have our hearts stayed upon Thy faithfulness, Thine unchangingness and love, that, whatsoever betide us, however black the cloud or dark the night, with quiet faith trusting in Thee we may look upon Thee with untroubled eye, and walking in lowliness towards Thee, and in lovingness towards one another, abide all storms and troubles of this mortal life, beseeching Thee that they may turn to the soul’s true good.  We ask it for Thy mercy’s sake, shown in Jesus Christ our Lord.

––Daily Prayer, Eric Milner-White and G. W. Briggs, eds. (London: Penguin Books 1959 edition of the 1941 original)

Jackson Hole, Wyoming . pic.twitter.com/HPFJUMQ471

— Jim Scott (@jimscottphoto) November 24, 2025

Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,
that he might make known his mighty power.

He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry;
and he led them through the deep as through a desert.

So he saved them from the hand of the foe,
and delivered them from the power of the enemy.

–Psalm 106:8-10

Morning everyone I hope you are well. A bit of brightness to start the week with last weeks view from Glenridding Dodd across Glenridding and Ullswater with Place Fell as the backdrop. Have a great day. #LakeDistrict pic.twitter.com/bQsgGmDoYh

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) November 24, 2025

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Christ the King seated in Majesty with Creation, Gospel and Apocalypse scenes in glass by Douglas Strachan, 1931 in Paisley Abbey. Today's the feast of Christ the King, first instituted by Pope Pius XI as the culmination of the Jubilee Year 1925, a century ago this year.… pic.twitter.com/pf6Igx1VPO

— Simon Knott (@SimoninSuffolk) November 23, 2025

Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to cleave to those that shall abide; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

–Romans 15:13

Blue Hour, Sveti Tomaz, Slovenia. @ThePhotoHour @StormHour #slovenia #landscapephotography #cloudinversion #mistymorning #canon pic.twitter.com/pzPTaZxYwc

— John Hall (@johnhall_john) November 23, 2025

O God of searing truth and surpassing beauty, we give thee thanks for Clive Staples Lewis whose sanctified imagination lighteth fires of faith in young and old alike; Surprise us also with thy joy and draw us into that new and abundant life which is ours in Christ Jesus, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

22 November 1963: Author and academic Clive Staples (“CS”) Lewis died. (aged 64). He’s best known for his works of fiction especially The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Space Trilogy. pic.twitter.com/JhxfklLKSB

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) November 22, 2025

All loving and all-embracing God, our hearts overflow with gratitude when we think and feel your love, manifested in Jesus Christ and poured into our hearts by your Holy Spirit. Let our response be spontaneous praise, praying fervently, reading your words passionately and welcoming the strangers genuinely. Give us charismatic smiles, courteous words and sacrificial hearts when we approach others with your love. Help us to overcome the temptation of being engaged in pious acts to win your favour and instead teach us to live in solidarity with you and with the needy and suffering. Let us and our churches reflect your love in a love-hungry world, now and always. Amen.

–(Courtesy of Methodist Church, UK)

Morning everyone I hope you are well. Views across Derwentwater towards a snow-capped Skiddaw. Have a great day.#LakeDistrict pic.twitter.com/8R41aheBa2

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) November 22, 2025

“For behold, I create new heavens
    and a new earth;
and the former things shall not be remembered
    or come into mind.
But be glad and rejoice for ever
    in that which I create;
for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing,
    and her people a joy.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
    and be glad in my people;
no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping
    and the cry of distress.
No more shall there be in it
    an infant that lives but a few days,
    or an old man who does not fill out his days,
for the child shall die a hundred years old,
    and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them;
    they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They shall not build and another inhabit;
    they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
    and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain,
    or bear children for calamity;
for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord,
    and their children with them.
Before they call I will answer,
    while they are yet speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
    the lion shall eat straw like the ox;
    and dust shall be the serpent’s food.
They shall not hurt or destroy
    in all my holy mountain,
                says the Lord.”

–Isaiah 65:17-25

Morning everyone I hope you are well. Views across Derwentwater towards a snow-capped Skiddaw. Have a great day.#LakeDistrict pic.twitter.com/8R41aheBa2

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) November 22, 2025

Despite their loyalty to North Yorkshire, the women said they were most impressed by the cathedrals in Ely and Coventry.

“Ely was just absolutely beautiful. We went to morning prayer there,” Ms Slator said.

“It was empty with no lights on, but the sunlight just shone through onto the nave and it was just ethereal.”

Although walking for many of the visits, Ms Gray had a fall on The Howgills, between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, requiring aid from mountain rescue, before their final pilgrimage.

However, Ms Gray did not let that stop her seeing the last cathedral, in her home city of Ripon, making that trip in her wheelchair.

Read it all.

Pair finish two-year English cathedrals pilgrimage https://t.co/3YCJ1esgYk

— BBC Yorkshire (@BBCLookNorth) November 19, 2025

When asked during an interview last week about the focus of his ministry, the Archbishop of Sudan, the Most Revd Ezekiel Kondo, had a simple answer: “To see that my people survive.”

Visiting the UK this month to raise awareness of the conflict in the country that has produced the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, he spoke in an interview with the diocese of Salisbury about the “terrible” hunger in Sudan.

“Some of them eat trees, eat animals’ food,” he said. “People are scattered all over. [The humanitarian crisis] is huge. And we thank God there are some organisations which are trying, but because of the security situation it is difficult, particularly in Darfur.”

More than 21 million people in Sudan — 45 per cent of the population — are not getting enough to eat, the World Food Programme (WFP) reports.

Read it all.

Atrocities inflicted ‘may be worse than Gaza or Ukraine’ he says on visit to the UK https://t.co/IONgmfcy53

— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) November 21, 2025

America’s middle class is weary.

After nearly five years of high prices, many middle-class earners thought life would be more affordable by now. Costs for goods and services are 25% above where they were in 2020. Even though the inflation rate is below its recent 2022 high, certain essentials like coffee, ground beef and car repairs are up markedly this year.

“Life felt more doable a year and a half ago,” said Holly Frew, a college communications director with a household income around $135,000 living in Atlanta. “I need to know where the light is at the end of the tunnel.”

The American middle class encompasses a broad cross section of workers that includes white-collar office employees, nurses and plumbers, although there is no universally accepted definition.

Pew Research Center defines the middle class broadly as having a household income between about $66,666 and $200,000, depending on where they live. Perpetual sticker shock is making many within the group feel worse about both their own finances and the future of the country. They are hunting for bargains and spending more carefully.

Read it all.

"After nearly five years of high prices, many middle-class earners thought life would be more affordable by now. Costs for goods and services are 25% above where they were in 2020. Even though the inflation rate is below its recent 2022 high, certain essentials like coffee,… pic.twitter.com/s7LkBGlvnw

— James Pethokoukis ⏩️⤴️ (@JimPethokoukis) November 21, 2025

Lyrics:

I have never founded by hope on any other than Thee,
O God of Israel, Who shalt be angry, and yet be gracious,
and Who absolvest all the sins of mankind in tribulation.
Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, be mindful of our lowliness.

O God most glorious, whose praises art sung night and day by thy saints and angels in heaven: We offer thanks for William Byrd, John Merbecke and Thomas Tallis, whose music hath enriched the praise that thy Church offers thee here on earth. Grant, we pray thee, to all who are touched by the power of music such glimpses of eternity that we may be made ready to join thy saints in heaven and behold thy glory unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who livest and reignest with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

#OTD 23 November 1585: death of Thomas Tallis, composer. pic.twitter.com/xB1OmUQUtN

— Caroline Murray (@Prof_hedgehog) November 23, 2024

Almighty God, Lord of the storm and of the calm, the vexed sea and the quiet haven, of day and of night, of life and of death, – grant unto us so to have our hearts stayed upon Thy faithfulness, Thine unchangingness and love, that, whatsoever betide us, however black the cloud or dark the night, with quiet faith trusting in Thee we may look upon Thee with untroubled eye, and walking in lowliness towards Thee, and in lovingness towards one another, abide all storms and troubles of this mortal life, beseeching Thee that they may turn to the soul’s true good.  We ask it for Thy mercy’s sake, shown in Jesus Christ our Lord.

–Robert W. Rodenmayer, ed., The Pastor’s Prayerbook: Selected and arranged for various occasions (New York: Oxford University Press, 1960)

Morning everyone I hope you are well. Views across Ullswater from Place Fell towards Glenridding with the Helvellyn range as the backdrop. Have a great day.#LakeDistrict pic.twitter.com/xkXhTWVVp9

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) November 21, 2025

Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the LORD: that he looked down from his holy height, from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die; that men may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD. He has broken my strength in mid-course; he has shortened my days. “O my God,” I say, “take me not hence in the midst of my days, thou whose years endure throughout all generations!” Of old thou didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They will perish, but thou dost endure; they will all wear out like a garment. Thou changest them like raiment, and they pass away; but thou art the same, and thy years have no end.

–Psalm 102:18-27

Each morning we open a window to the Dales and share some of our favourite views, like this from the bottom of Buttertubs Pass in Upper Wensleydale. #YorkshireDales #Sunrise #NationalParks pic.twitter.com/1Jvs6mdDh1

— Yorkshire Dales National Park (@yorkshire_dales) November 21, 2025

Between 1992 and 2024, former Anglican clergy made up more than one third of those beginning priestly ministry in the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, a new report reveals.

The report, Convert Clergy in the Catholic Church in Britain, summarises the findings of a research project commissioned in 2019 by the St Barnabas Society, a charity that continues the work of the Converts Aid Society, established in 1896.

The report was produced in partnership with researchers at the Benedict XVI Centre for Religion, Ethics and Society, whose UK base is at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Published on Thursday, it recognises the “substantial ongoing contribution to Catholic life made by convert clergy/religious in this country”.

The period studied begins in 1992, when the General Synod voted in favour of the ordination of women to the priesthood.

Read it all.

New report launched today, on Anglican-to-Catholic clergy conversions in Britain. Since 1992:

* c700 Anglican priests (inc 16 bishops) have become RC

* Roughly third of all Catholic priests ordained in Eng & Wales are ex-Ang clergy@StBarnabasSoc https://t.co/WyzOZBjg09 pic.twitter.com/r0nXFkEMe9

— Stephen Bullivant (@SSBullivant) November 20, 2025

No one worries about the insurance industry quite like Tom Gober.

From his home office outside of Pittsburgh, the forensic accountant has been tracking, documenting and highlighting the weaknesses of the $9.3 trillion sector responsible for the financial well-being of millions of Americans.

“I’ve been seeing warning signs for years, and I’ve been very vocal about it,” Gober, 66, said in a recent interview in his living room. More recently, he’s been paying attention to what he says is the most troubling development yet: The influx of private equity’s billions.

The industry waves off its critics as needlessly alarmist, always predicting a disaster that never comes. But that mid-October afternoon, Gober’s phone began to light up. Josh Wander, the co-founder of 777 Partners, a private equity firm on Gober’s radar, had been charged with cheating investors and lenders out of almost $500 million — an alleged fraud enabled in part by its opaque and intricate ties with some US insurance companies.

Read it all.

Some great reporting from Bloomberg this week about how private equity is making a grab for life insurance money and hiding it away where traders are gambling it without much oversight. https://t.co/QNe2jf8OzO pic.twitter.com/AIwLA0GEQT

— Heidi N. Moore (@moorehn) November 19, 2025

 America’s huge mortgage market is slowly dying. In America’s foundation myths, the humble mortgage rarely features. There are no stirring ballads about the heroism of 30-year rates or credit-scoring. Yet mortgages have fueled the American dream, which centers on home ownership, ever since the federal government began subsidizing property loans a century ago. Now that fuel is running low. At $13.5 trillion, America’s current stock of mortgage debt is equivalent to 44% of the country’s GDP. That marks a drop of almost 30 percentage points since the global financial crisis of 2007-09, which was sparked by a binge on dicey housing debt, and the lowest level since 1999, before that property bubble got started. More striking still, mortgage debt has shrunk to just 27% of the value of American household property—a 65-year low. A great de-mortgaging is under way, with worrying consequences for the property market.

With Wall Street fretting about other corners of American finance, such as booming private lending to shaky mid-size firms, the tranquility of the mortgage market might seem like a sign of healthy restraint. In fact, it masks an insidious crisis. The median monthly principal-and-interest payment on an American home has surged from just above $1,000 to $2,100 in five years.

Read it all.

"Mortgage debt has shrunk to just 27% of the value of American household property—a 65-year low. A great demortgaging is under way, with worrying consequences for the property market" https://t.co/dJcHA6ehZQ pic.twitter.com/IGSoQOrQIH

— Jim Russell (@ProducerCities) November 20, 2025

Even with changes in personnel, the Wood matter is unlikely to be resolved quickly. Kate Harris, an ACNA spokeswoman, confirmed to TLC that Dobbs has assumed archiepiscopal duties for the duration of the Wood matter, but the complainants have expressed concern about its next procedural steps, which involve a Board of Inquiry that Sutton had appointed before stepping down.

One complainant told TLC that Sutton’s revised statement of not recalling discussions about making the board “bishop-friendly,” combined with continued involvement of provincial staff serving at Archbishop Wood’s pleasure, has eroded the complainant’s confidence in the board’s steps for determining whether the charges merit trial.

“The timeline of the [Board of Inquiry] historically has been about six to eight weeks, but it can sometimes take longer depending on scheduling and coordinating calendars, [and the] members cannot be shared to protect them from emails and lobbying of favor or bias,” Butler said in email to the complainants reviewed by TLC. Denominational canons specify that five priests and five adult ACNA members sit on a Board of Inquiry.

Read it all.

New for @Livng_Church: “Apologies have only come from bishops after significant public pressure has been applied. These are the right actions, but they’ve only come under duress,” a Wood complainant told TLC.https://t.co/Nf1sIVjDtA

— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) November 20, 2025

O God of ineffable mercy, who didst give grace and fortitude to blessed Edmund the king to triumph over the enemy of his people by nobly dying for thy Name: Bestow on us thy servants, we beseech thee, the shield of faith, wherewith we may withstand the assaults of our ancient enemy; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

A close-up of St Edmund on the Thornham Parva retable. Made in the 1330s, part of that great flowering of English art that was about to be snuffed out by the mid-century pestilence, and probably made for the Blackfriars church at Thetford.

Thornham Parva: https://t.co/ipeMy0722n https://t.co/GzxAALgVUg pic.twitter.com/jEM3pAfCed

— Simon Knott (@SimoninSuffolk) November 20, 2025

Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son was revealed
to destroy the works of the devil
and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:
grant that we, having this hope,
may purify ourselves even as he is pure;
that when he shall appear in power and great glory
we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;
where he is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales.@S4Ctywydd@StormHour#photohour

Morning of 20th November 2025 pic.twitter.com/Zau5vfq5oQ

— Nadezna Mandhari (@MandhariNadezna) November 20, 2025

Then he led forth Israel with silver and gold,
    and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.
Egypt was glad when they departed,
    for dread of them had fallen upon it.
He spread a cloud for a covering,
    and fire to give light by night.
They asked, and he brought quails,
    and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
He opened the rock, and water gushed forth;
    it flowed through the desert like a river.
For he remembered his holy promise,
    and Abraham his servant.

–Psalm 105:37-42

Most of North Yorkshire waking up to a winter wonderland this morning ❄️ pic.twitter.com/xJ94k9WJKa

— North Yorkshire (@visitnorthyork) November 20, 2025

The Bishop of Oxford has announced he is planning to retire from his role in the summer of 2026.

The Right Reverend Dr Steven Croft will have led the diocese for 10 years when he leaves in July.

His retirement also means he will no longer have a place in the House of Lords after 13 years as a member.

Dr Croft, who was ordained in 1983, said: “I am deeply thankful for the ministries of so many people called to sustain the life and mission of churches, chaplaincies and schools across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.”

As Bishop of Oxford he oversees 800 churches in  609 parishes in the Thames Valley – the largest number of churches of any diocese in the Church of England.

The diocese is also home to 284 schools and academies, educating some 60,000 pupils.

Read it all.

Bishop of Oxford announces retirement date https://t.co/xxknUJEz4L

— BBC Oxfordshire (@BBCOxford) November 18, 2025

Last month, after escalating violence and systematic killings in el-Fasher, the bishops met together to pray. On 29 October, they issued an urgent appeal for peace in Sudan, calling for all parties to ‘immediately cease hostilities’ and imploring the international community to respond.

The bishops’ October statement depicted the Sudanese people as facing a ‘grave situation’ and drew attention to ‘the ongoing conflict in Sudan and its devastating impact on the security, social and economic conditions’ which greatly affects ‘the lives of citizens.’

Archbishop Ezekiel explains to Anglican News that October’s appeal was all about ‘Urging groups to silence the guns, to stop the war and to speak peace. This is important. Because people are dying. People are hungry.’

Since that statement was made, Archbishop Ezekiel relays,  ‘There is nothing yet changed, but we have hope… We thank God that the Quad group is working very hard to bring the groups together, to ‘stop the war,’ and ‘bring peace’.

Read it all.

Sudan is facing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. In October, the bishops of the Episcopal Church of Sudan issued an Appeal for Peace. This November, the Archbishop of Sudan, the Most Revd Ezekiel Kumir Kondo, has been in the UK to raise awareness for Sudan’s plight. To… pic.twitter.com/ZNASOcTqAs

— Anglican Communion News Service (@AnglicanNews) November 18, 2025

Recent Barna research reveals that only one in four single moms attends church weekly, the steepest drop among women in recent years. The finding raises an uncomfortable question: Are churches truly heeding the biblical command to care for the vulnerable in their midst?

When Joie Van Holstyn became a single mom of two boys through foster care and adoption in 2019, her church attendance quickly spiraled. 

“It was really hard at first,” she said. “We had pretty rough attendance the first two years—it was so much work to get out of the house. And I just felt out of place as a single mom.”

For women like Van Holstyn, the barriers start with logistics—juggling work hours, transportation, and the chaos of getting kids ready alone. But the emotional weight can be heavier still. Many feel judged, pitied, or simply invisible in congregations that assume families include a husband.

A friend eventually confronted Van Holstyn about her sporadic attendance. Convicted, she committed to going every week, even when her children squirmed through the small rural church’s service.

Read it all.

'“It was really hard at first,” she said. “We had pretty rough attendance the first two years—it was so much work to get out of the house. And I just felt out of place as a single mom.”

For women like Van Holstyn, the barriers start with logistics—juggling work hours,…

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) November 19, 2025

35 year old Paris, originally from Iran, moved to England two years ago with her husband on a student visa. Here she explains how her life has changed since stepping into Christ Church in Freemantle, Southampton.

“When my baby was 40 days old and had cried the whole night from colic, I was exhausted and in a very bad state.  I put her in a baby carrier and walked the streets and found myself staring into a school yard for no reason. Somebody asked me to move on and respect their space. That was so embarrassing for me, and I stepped aside.  

As I walked on, I saw the door of Christ Church was open, I went in, and a kind lady invited me to have a warm cup of tea.  A few minutes later, another kind woman, came and told me she was the priest of the church.    

At that time, I didn’t even know what a priest was. I could see she was speaking kindly to me, even though my English language was bad.  She told me she knew my country, and she knew Iranian people locally. Suddenly I realised after months of being alone during pregnancy and after birth, with my language getting worse every day, I was talking with someone again.

Read it all.

"I’ve never left a Sunday service without feeling lighter and better inside.": "I’ve never left a Sunday service without feeling lighter and better inside."

As an exhausted… https://t.co/YaoK8zAP1o #MentalHealth #CommunitySupport #ParentingJourney #SundayService #FaithAndHope pic.twitter.com/KdYERrivZt

— Rev. Lion David Greene (@greene345) November 15, 2025

Almighty God, by whose grace thy servant Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and honored Jesus in the poor of this world: Grant that we, following her example, may with love and gladness serve those in any need or trouble, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Today, 17th November, is the feast of St Elizabeth of Hungary, Franciscan tertiary renowned for her love for the poor. Her spiritual director wrote that "she was a lifelong friend of the poor and gave herself entirely to relieving the hungry. She ordered that one of her castles… pic.twitter.com/CIu8wobvRc

— Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P. (@LawrenceOP) November 17, 2025