Episode 74: Rev. David Pickering for Sunday 29th January

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Geoffrey is chatting to Rev. David Pickering.

David studied environmental science and undertook research in environmental chemistry prior to candidating for the ministry for the URC. He has served pastorates in Teesside (1990-99) and Leeds (2004-16) and has carried his concern for the environment and love of nature through his ministry. To mark the 1992 Earth Summit he shaped the URC publication Roots and Branches, in 1998 he was appointed to develop Eco-Congregation in a full-time ministry (1999-2004). Eco-Congregation continues in Scotland and has been renamed as Eco-Church in England and Wales. From 2005 to 2010 he Chaired the Board of the climate change charity, Operation Noah. During his recent term as Moderator of the National Synod of Scotland (2016-20) he led the URC to become the first Church in Britain to divest its investments in fossil fuels. Since 2020 he has returned to local pastoral ministry, serving suburban churches in West Wickham and Elmers End. David has a love of Scottish isles, holidaying and leading several pilgrimages to sites of early Christian worship on the isles. He enjoys time with his family, and spotting, chasing and watching butterflies.

They discuss the lectionary readings for Sunday 29th January:
Micah 6: 1-8

1 Corinthians 1: 18-31

Matthew 5: 1-12

Psalm 15

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, Ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community - find the group from the Joint Public Issues Team's Facebook page.