Thou who with thine own mouth hast avouched that at midnight, at an hour when we are not aware, the Bridegroom shall come: Grant that the cry, The Bridegroom cometh, may sound evermore in our ears, that so we be never unprepared to meet him, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

America’s public lands are places that offer quiet, healing, and connection. Whether it’s a sunrise over the Appalachian Mountains or the stillness of a remote desert canyon, these moments remind us of what service protects.

Photo by NPS pic.twitter.com/XHKliyUUGK

— US Department of the Interior (@Interior) December 9, 2025

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear evil men but have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and found them to be false; I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have, you hate the works of the Nicola′itans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

–Revelation 2:1-7

Guten Morgen mit einer kleinen Winterimpression, heute aus den Niederlanden.#Advent pic.twitter.com/oNxkiM0QWH

— Thomas Stiegler (@StieglerThomas) December 10, 2025

A growing number of Britons who leave Christianity are turning to paganism or other forms of spiritualism instead of converting to other major religions, a new study has found. 

The survey, released by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life, questioned 2,774 adults who self-identified as having “experienced a change in their religious belief,” seeking to provide insight into “how, why, and in what direction Britons are moving between faiths, spiritualities, and non-belief.”

The researchers conclude that “Britain is not secularising in a straightforward way” but rather “undergoing a re-composition of belief, a shift away from inherited institutional structures towards personalised, practice-based, and wellbeing-oriented forms of faith.”

Forty-four percent of respondents said they left Christianity, while only 17% said they had newly become Christians. Meanwhile, 39% of respondents said they had become an atheist or agnostic. 

“Britain is undergoing a profound reconfiguration of religious identity,” researchers Charlotte Littlewood and Rania Mohiuddin-Agir write in their 50-page report. “Although the 2021 census revealed a historic decline in Christian affiliation, this development does not reflect a disappearance of religion but rather a diversification and personalisation of belief.”

Read it all.

Rising number of Brits leaving Christianity turning to paganism https://t.co/9sy0TOOhDx

— The Christian Post (@ChristianPost) December 9, 2025

At Pennsylvania State University, which has 64,000 undergraduate students, Stephanie Stama, an assistant director at the student psychological services centre, reports that “it is increasingly common for us to hear that students have lost a significant amount of money” in sports betting and that it “is interfering with basic needs like eating and sleeping”. An 18-year-old student at URI, who declined to be named, confesses that he can no longer feel enjoyment from watching sports without the high from betting.

Timothy Fong, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles sees a similar pattern. Every one of his clients as of late has been an 18- to 24-year-old man seeking help for a sports-betting or cryptocurrency addiction. The financial wreckage can be severe, too. John Simonian, a personal-bankruptcy attorney in Rhode Island, says he never used to see young men filing for bankruptcy, “but now it’s not surprising”. Sports betting, he notices in young clients’ bank statements, is often one part of the equation.

Institutions have had an uneven and clunky response. Between 2021 and 2023 a handful of universities partnered with sports-betting firms directly, receiving cash for sponsorship and naming rights. Most have since ended the agreements. But in America there is the added complication that many campuses are filled with both bettors and those being bet on. March Madness, the annual basketball tournament played by college athletes, is by some accounts the most-bet-on event in the country, with more than twice as much wagered on it as the Super Bowl.

Read it all.

Student-athletes now face a torrent of abuse from losing gamblers. Last year the governing body of American college sport recorded 740 instances of harassment directly attributed to sports gambling https://t.co/X73pIEgdBm

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) December 8, 2025

We offer thanks, most gracious God, for the devoted witness of Richard Baxter, who out of love for thee followed his conscience at cost to himself, and at all times rejoiced to sing thy praises in word and deed; and we pray that our lives, like his, may be well-tuned to sing the songs of love, and all our days be filled with praise of Jesus Christ our Lord; who with thee and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(Moved from yesterday; KSH).

#OTD December 8, 1691:
Richard Baxter, one of England’s most influential Puritan ministers and theologians, died in London. Known for his prolific writing, Baxter authored nearly 200 works, including The Reformed Pastor and The Saints’ Everlasting Rest.

Baxter rejected the idea… pic.twitter.com/qPxHmynFHr

— ☧ Today in Christian History (@HistoricalRook) December 8, 2025

Nicholas Ferrar, like his great friend, George Herbert, was a courtier turned clergyman. Born in London, he was educated at a boarding school in Berkshire and at Clare College, Cambridge. He was appointed to the service of Princess Elizabeth, daughter of James I, who married the Elector Frederick V, and travelled to the continent. In the coming years, Ferrar travelled widely and, a brilliant scholar, learnt to speak Dutch, German, Italian and Spanish, as well as engaging in the study of medicine in Leipzig and Padua.

On his return to England in 1618, Ferrar was involved with the London Virginia Company, which was the family business, and he was also, for a time, a Member of Parliament. In 1626, following ordination as a deacon by the controversial Bishop (later Archbishop) William Laud, there was a major life-change when he and his extended family moved to the manor in Little Gidding in Huntingdonshire and restored St John’s church for their own use. There they lived a life of extreme simplicity, devotion and practical service.

Read it all.

Nicholas Ferrar and his friend the poet George Herbert in 1960s glass by Carl Edwards in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Ferrar established the early 17th Century community at Little Gidding in what is now Cambridgeshire. Herbert was prebend of neighbouring Leighton Bromswold. The… pic.twitter.com/8IGVScx6fJ

— Simon Knott (@SimoninSuffolk) October 29, 2023

Lord God, make us so reflect thy perfect love; that, with thy deacon Nicholas Ferrar and his household, we may rule ourselves according to thy Word, and serve thee with our whole heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

(Moved from yesterday; KSH).

It was a pleasure to attend Nicholas Ferrar Day at Little Gidding today, joining the community in prayer and hospitality, with the Rev Canon Alison Myers (Warden of @LaundeAbbey) preaching at Ferrar House. #littlegidding #nicholasferrar #tseliot pic.twitter.com/u9KBp4uEdA

— Aaron Saunderson-Cross (@saundersoncross) December 6, 2025

O thou, who hast foretold that thou wilt return to judgment in an hour that we are not aware of, grant us grace to watch and pray always, that whether thou shalt come at even, or at midnight, or in the morning, we may be found among the number of those servants who shall be blessed in watching for their Lord, to whom be all glory now and for evermore.

Straight into the dragon’s lair.This is the very heart of our galaxy, 26,000 light-years away, where four million suns’ worth of mass is crushed into a single point: Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole that rules the Milky Way.Everything you see here is violence wearing… pic.twitter.com/BEnF5hMOTT

— Black Hole (@konstructivizm) December 9, 2025

Then Amazi′ah the priest of Bethel sent to Jerobo′am king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said,

‘Jerobo′am shall die by the sword,
    and Israel must go into exile
    away from his land.’”

And Amazi′ah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”

Then Amos answered Amazi′ah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ “Now therefore hear the word of the Lord.

You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel,
    and do not preach against the house of Isaac.’

Therefore thus says the Lord:

‘Your wife shall be a harlot in the city,
    and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword,
    and your land shall be parceled out by line;
you yourself shall die in an unclean land,
    and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.’”

–Amos 7:10-17

Ladybird Artists Advent Calendar, window 9
‘Evening Snow’
Artist: SR Badmin pic.twitter.com/y5GwMyLwsT

— Helen Day (@LBFlyawayhome) December 9, 2025

The House of Bishops will make a final decision on the future of standalone same-sex blessings when it meets again on December 16 but Bishop Philip Mounstephen said the theological and legal advice made clear that any changes will need to be “done properly according to the norms of our governance”.

Addressing a recent meeting of the Winchester Diocesan Synod, Bishop Philip Mounstephen said that questions over how such changes could be made without changing the official doctrine of the Church of England – which upholds marriage between a man and woman – proved to be “the game changer”. 

He said the theological and legal advice had brought the House of Bishops “face to face with the sheer constitutional difficulty of making such changes”.

Read it all.

The Bishop of Winchester has defended the recent decision of the House of Bishops to pause plans to introduce standalone same-sex blessing services https://t.co/OD99QBXeo5 #anglican #bishops #anthropology #parishministry #ethics #21stc #pastoralpractice #doctrine

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) December 8, 2025

You may listen directly here:

Or you may download it there.

Or watch the video here:

A Gathering Marked by Prayer, Repentance, and Reflection

We assembled in a moment that demanded humility and seriousness. Throughout our time together, we prayed the Offices and portions of the Litany, allowing the reading of the Scriptures and the rhythms of prayer to shape our conversations, anchor our reflections, and keep the cross of Christ before us.

As we reflected on our shared episcopal ministry, including the many ways God has borne fruit through it, we acknowledged areas where we have not fully met the high calling entrusted to us. We recognized moments of weakness in our relationships with one another, instances where our courage has flagged, and occasions when we lacked attentiveness or care for the flock committed to us. In humility, we sought forgiveness from the Lord and from one another. We also recognize that, at times, these weaknesses have fallen short of the expectations the Province rightly has for its leaders. In a spirit of honest repentance, we express sorrow for the hurt that these shortcomings have caused, and we ask the clergy and people of the Anglican Church in North America to forgive us where we have not lived up to the sacred trust placed in us.

Matters Requiring Honest Assessment

During our meeting, we heard from those bishops who had prior awareness of the presentment that was later filed against Archbishop Steve Wood. This required us to engage in forthright conversation about the responsibilities of episcopal oversight, the need to speak truthfully among ourselves, and the necessity of guarding the integrity of our common life. We did not pass over these matters lightly. The discussion was undertaken with seriousness, candor, and a commitment to rebuild confidence where it has been shaken.

We acknowledged that there is a lack of clarity in certain areas of our disciplinary canons. This lack of clarity has contributed to confusion and frustration within the Province. We noted with gratitude that the proposed canonical revisions presently before the Church begin to address these ambiguities and strengthen our accountability to one another and to the people of God. It was clear throughout our deliberations that there is a significant deficit of trust toward the College of Bishops. We received this soberly. We recognize that trust cannot be demanded, and we will endeavor to grow in grace so that, by God’s help, we may become increasingly trustworthy.

Read it all.

Back in November, Bp Chip Edgar of ACNA's Diocese of South Carolina wrote: "I’ve asked the College for a unified, public apology for these disparaging statements." The public will need to decide whether this bishops' statement today fits the bill. https://t.co/BwyKbo04lt pic.twitter.com/AVMFkrRDXI

— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) December 6, 2025

O God, who didst give to thy servant Ambrose grace eloquently to declare thy righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of thy Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellency in preaching, and fidelity in ministering thy Word, that thy people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

(Moved from yesterday; KSH).

Today we commemorate Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan

Read the account: https://t.co/CudO8rnKNV

More saints commemorated today: https://t.co/BgoZuYKo6U

Music downloads for today: https://t.co/ISgw7RH8QE#saints #feastsandsaints pic.twitter.com/6BjTGPAyfL

— Orthodox Church OCA (@ocaorg) December 7, 2025

O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power
and come among us,
and with great might succour us;
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness
we are grievously hindered
in running the race that is set before us,
your bountiful grace and mercy
may speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever.
Amen.

Ladybird Artists Advent Calendar, window 8
‘Winter Farmyard’
Artist: Ronald Lampitt pic.twitter.com/wLtcfmFnDN

— Helen Day (@LBFlyawayhome) December 8, 2025

Be mindful of thy mercy, O Lord, and of thy steadfast love,
    for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth, or my trangressions;
    according to thy steadfast love remember me,
    for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord!

–Psalm 25:6-7

This photo of Earth, dubbed the Blue Marble, was taken by the Apollo 17 crew #OTD in 1972 as they traveled to the Moon.

It soon became one of the most widely-distributed photographs in history. pic.twitter.com/y8oeJEeyBU

— NASA History Office (@NASAhistory) December 7, 2025

Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Guten Morgen und einen schönen Sonntag wünsche ich euch!#Advent pic.twitter.com/lYf9TWr40I

— Thomas Stiegler (@StieglerThomas) December 7, 2025

Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechari′ah after his father, but his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your kindred is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all marveled. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

And his father Zechari′ah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people,

–Luke 1:57-68

Just A Hint Of Sunlight. 8°C with rain approaching. Starlings. pic.twitter.com/P1vYDolbOq

— Yorkshire Wolds Weather (@WeatherWolds) December 7, 2025

Almighty God, who in thy love didst give to thy servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness on land and sea: Grant, we pray thee, that thy Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's the feast of St Nicholas, 4th Century Bishop of Myra and traditionally associated with gift-giving and the working of miracles. He 'maketh the storm to cease' in glass by Burlison & Grylls, 1920 at Great Whelnetham, Suffolk, a detail of the war memorial window. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/OdH10eiVmn

— Simon Knott (@SimoninSuffolk) December 6, 2025

Keep us, O Lord, while we tarry on this earth, in a serious seeking after thee, and in an affectionate walking with thee, every day of our lives; that when thou comest, we may be found not hiding our talent, nor serving the flesh, nor yet asleep with our lamp unfurnished, but waiting and longing for our Lord, our glorious God for ever and ever.

Morning everyone I hope you are well. Even with grey skies and flooding, it's still a beautiful view from Surprise View overlooking Derwentwater and beyond. Have a great day.#lakedistrict pic.twitter.com/Jc2pKSV1Ea

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) December 6, 2025

Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle him in his talk. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Hero′di-ans, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the money for the tax.” And they brought him a coin. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard it, they marveled; and they left him and went away.

–Matthew 22:15-22

Guten Morgen und einen schönen Tag wünsche ich euch!#Bayern pic.twitter.com/pj2UFc3aQ6

— Thomas Stiegler (@StieglerThomas) December 6, 2025

The Clergy Discipline Commission has expressed disappointment at bishops’ infrequent use of conciliation in disciplinary cases, in an annual report that also warns that their “lack of attention” has resulted in a “greatly diminished” pool of tribunal members, the Provincial Panel.

The Commission’s annual report for 2024, included among the General Synod papers for next February, says that bishops infrequently used their power to refer complaints for alternative dispute resolution through conciliation, although there are “a great many people throughout the church with expertise in conciliation and it was a shame that this formal mechanism was being underutilised”.

In 2024, there were three complaints referred to conciliation — four per cent of the total. All were unsuccessful and then had to be determined by the bishop.

The report also notes that the Provincial Panel (the clergy and laity eligible to sit on a disciplinary tribunal) were “greatly diminished” in 2024, owing to “the lack of attention given by some diocesan bishops to renewing the terms of those members representing their diocese on the Panel, and delays in appointing replacement members when a panel member indicated they were no longer available to sit.”

Read it all.

The Clergy Discipline Commission has expressed disappointment at bishops’ infrequent use of conciliation in disciplinary cases #clergydiscipline #bishops https://t.co/rJBAYl75Rs

— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) December 5, 2025

Is the billable hour about to become a thing of the past?

It seems inevitable, at least for lawyers and other professional-services firms, because as artificial-intelligence capabilities accelerate, the fundamental logic of charging for time spent rather than value delivered is becoming increasingly untenable.

The billable hour as the fundamental unit of business for professional services is so
widespread that it’s difficult to remember that it is a fairly recent innovation, becoming prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s. Before that, many lawyers and other professionals billed for outcomes achieved or services rendered, not for time.

Many say the seed for the billable hour was planted in the early 1900s by a young lawyer named Reginald Heber Smith, who implemented a time-tracking system for lawyers during his tenure as counsel to the Boston Legal Aid Society, which provided legal services to the poor. He wanted lawyers to track how they were spending their time, not for billing purposes but to find ways to improve the efficiency of the team, which had a limited budget….

Read it all.

Could AI make billable hours obsolete?https://t.co/E0lvwETo3p

"Widespread AI adoption could render the billable hour obsolete, a business expert argued. Lawyers, public relations pros, and consultants are outsourcing more work to bots, so the logic of charging for time —… pic.twitter.com/nEok6qU1v2

— Bob Pickard (@BobPickard) December 5, 2025

Japan is sailing dangerously close to the wind. The most indebted state in the world is taunting markets with one of the least justifiable plans for extra debt issuance.

The fiscal irresponsibility is perhaps no worse than in America, France or Labour’s welfare Britain, but right now it is Japan that is in the sights of the bond vigilantes.

Yields on Japanese debt have spiked wildly across the maturity curve since Sanae Takaichi took power six weeks ago and shocked investors with a “low quality” fiscal expansion of $135bn (£101bn), including such gems as rice vouchers and subsidies for fossil fuels – ploys to mask the inflationary consequences of her own policies.

The scale of this populist misadventure is sending tremors through the international financial system, as well as horrifying the economic establishment in Tokyo.

The benchmark 10-year bond yield jumped to 1.94pc in intraday trading in Tokyo, up from 1.79pc a week ago and a whisker shy of highs last seen in 1997. The speed of the move in the once-glacial $12tn market for Japanese public and private debt is almost frightening.

Read it all.

Japan’s false Thatcher is blowing up a $12tn bond market https://t.co/gLGSs085PM

— B2Investor (@B2Investor) December 5, 2025

What God wants is a “take it or leave it” attitude about money. Money must not be the master; rather it must be the slave. If one has money, it is for the sake of his brethren; if he does not have money, he is as cheerful as if he had. That is what it means to be poor in spirit.

Another way to see that Jesus was speaking metaphorically when he spoke of the difficulty of a rich man getting into heaven is to look at the disciples’ astonished response to his words. “Who then can be saved?” they cry in consternation. Why are they dismayed? Is it because they are rich? No, certainly not. They have left all to follow him. They are amazed because they understand the hidden meaning in the Lord’s words. They have been counting on being saved because they have renounced their possessions, but now they understand that until their souls are cleansed of passions they have no more hope than a rich man who clings to his possessions. Salvation is the privilege only of pure and passionless souls.

But the Lord replies, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” No man can free himself from his passions and desires, but God conspires with willing souls. Peter shows himself willing by saying, “We have left all to follow you.” Here he cannot be boasting of leaving the few dollars worth of property he owned, but he means he has left the old mental possessions and diseases of the soul. By doing this he will be saved.

Read it all.

☦️St. Clement of Alexandria pic.twitter.com/F3On9ieDRI

— Orthodox Faith (@since33) November 12, 2025

O Lord, who didst call thy servant Clement of Alexandria from the errors of ancient philosophy that he might learn and teach the saving Gospel of Christ: Turn thy Church from the conceits of worldly wisdom and, by the Spirit of truth, guide it into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

OTD 4 December: feast of St Clement of Alexandria. pic.twitter.com/oa582KRS68

— Caroline Murray (@Prof_hedgehog) December 4, 2025

O God, Father of mercies, who didst so love the world that thou didst give thine only begotten Son to take our nature upon him for us men and for our salvation: Grant to us who by his first coming have been called into thy kingdom of grace, that we may always abide in him, and be found watching and ready when he shall come again to call us to thy kingdom of glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ladybird Artists Advent Calendar, window 5
‘Snowstorm in a Pennine Valley’
Artist: SR Badmin pic.twitter.com/wrHAZZuh8L

— Helen Day (@LBFlyawayhome) December 5, 2025

And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.’ But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

–Matthew 22:1-14

Guten Morgen, heute (passend zur gestrigen Geschichte) mit einem Blick auf Tallinn!#Estland pic.twitter.com/fAiV23oGbs

— Thomas Stiegler (@StieglerThomas) December 5, 2025

While almost three-quarters of the clergy participating in a ten-year study agreed that they were fulfilling their sense of vocation, 40 per cent felt isolated in their ministry, a report published this week reveals.

Lord, for the Years, the fifth and final panel survey report for the decade-long Living Ministry study, observes: “While the feeling that one is fulfilling one’s vocation can be sustaining through all sorts of other challenges to wellbeing — and being unable to do so can feel devastating — pursuance of a calling can also lead to physical, social and material sacrifices which may be detrimental to wellbeing.”

The study, launched by the national Ministry Team in 2017, was designed to gather evidence about “what enables ministers to flourish in ministry”. In total, more than 1000 clergy, from groups ordained in 2006, 2011, and 2015, or who entered training in 2016, have participated (News, 24 February 2017).

The authors caution that the data should not be used in general terms as representative of all clergy. The four key challenges to well-being observed across the study are listed as: tiredness, isolation, demoralisation, and financial anxiety.

Read it all.

While almost three-quarters of the clergy participating in a ten-year study agreed that they were fulfilling their sense of vocation, 40 per cent felt isolated in their ministry, the final Living Ministry report says.https://t.co/86ZCXErdQk

— Madeleine Davies (@MadsDavies) December 5, 2025

In work and play, AI is rewiring childhood. It promises every child the kind of upbringing previously available only to the rich, with private tutors, personalised syllabuses and bespoke entertainment. Children can listen to songs composed about them, read stories in which they star, play video games that adapt to their skill level and have an entourage of chatbot friends cheering them on. A childhood fit for a king could become universal.

It is a future filled with opportunities—and hidden traps. As real kings often discover, a bespoke upbringing can also be a lonely and atomised one. What’s more, as their subjects often find out, it can create adults who are ill-equipped for real life. As AI changes childhood for better and for worse, society must rethink the business of growing up.

Being reared by robots has advantages. Tech firms are already showing how AI can enhance learning, especially where teachers and materials are scarce. Literacy and language-learning have been boosted in early trials. The dream is that, with an AI tutor, children can be saved from classes pitched to the median, in which bright pupils are bored and dim ones are lost. If you want a version of this leader for an eight-year-old Hindi-speaker, AI can rewrite it; if they would prefer it as a cartoon strip or a song, no problem.

Read it all.

The technology presents dazzling opportunities for children—and ominous risks https://t.co/lZoEPzYd7B pic.twitter.com/mDO7kxmDAU

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) December 4, 2025