Revd Martin Smith
@martinsmith14.bsky.social
Self supporting minister at ChristChurch, Woking (PTO) and father of two, grandfather to four. Love helping people to make some sense of it all.
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
"When I hear that Ukraine is supposed to hold elections, I respond that Russia should also commit to holding free and fair elections, which they haven't had for 25 years. We need to shift the focus to where the real problem lies." - Kaja Kallas.
December 18, 2025 at 11:57 AM
"When I hear that Ukraine is supposed to hold elections, I respond that Russia should also commit to holding free and fair elections, which they haven't had for 25 years. We need to shift the focus to where the real problem lies." - Kaja Kallas.
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have many things in common--but historically one thing will tie them together more than any other. They have both done more to weaken their own countries than any two US or Russian leaders for a century (if not longer).
December 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have many things in common--but historically one thing will tie them together more than any other. They have both done more to weaken their own countries than any two US or Russian leaders for a century (if not longer).
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
I was sent this
December 17, 2025 at 9:46 AM
I was sent this
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
A Catholic church in Dedham, Massachusetts, has refused to take down its nativity scene, where Mary and Joseph are replaced by a sign saying “ICE was here”. Priest says ICE demands are the antithesis of Christ's command to take care of people.
US parish refuses to take down anti-ICE crib | ICN
Last week a parish in Massachusetts, St Susanna Parish in Dedham, changed their outdoor Nativity scene - replacing the figures of Mary and Joseph with a sign saying 'ICE was here' in protest at the 'I...
www.indcatholicnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:28 PM
A Catholic church in Dedham, Massachusetts, has refused to take down its nativity scene, where Mary and Joseph are replaced by a sign saying “ICE was here”. Priest says ICE demands are the antithesis of Christ's command to take care of people.
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
This is a valid criticism. But, personally, I was just glad to see an article on the BBC website which put the case for lower speed limits
Every bit of this articles reads like the only important thing is what drivers think & feel.
Speed limits are there to make roads safer, esp at 20 mph pedestrians & cyclists (including of course children).
Just drive to the speed limit, regardless of what you feel or think.
It’s not difficult.
Speed limits are there to make roads safer, esp at 20 mph pedestrians & cyclists (including of course children).
Just drive to the speed limit, regardless of what you feel or think.
It’s not difficult.
Evan Davis: Why so many people break 20mph speed limits
After receiving a speeding ticket, Evan Davis explores why so many people have broken 20mph limits across the country.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 11:13 AM
This is a valid criticism. But, personally, I was just glad to see an article on the BBC website which put the case for lower speed limits
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
Use Times New Roman if you want to own the libs. Calibri is woke.
Joking aside, this tells us something about what the Trump people think about inclusion
Joking aside, this tells us something about what the Trump people think about inclusion
Secretary of State Rubio has concluded Calibri is a DEI font and orders US diplomats to revert to Times New Roman in official communications. www.devdiscourse.com/article/poli...
Font Wars: Times New Roman vs. Calibri in U.S. Diplomacy | Politics
The U.S. State Department has reverted to using Times New Roman in official communications, reversing the previous administration's choice of Calibri, which was promoted for accessibility. This decisi...
www.devdiscourse.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Use Times New Roman if you want to own the libs. Calibri is woke.
Joking aside, this tells us something about what the Trump people think about inclusion
Joking aside, this tells us something about what the Trump people think about inclusion
Hi does anyone know if there is a liturgy for scattering ashes or is it the same as burying ashes? #cofe #cofepeeps
December 9, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Hi does anyone know if there is a liturgy for scattering ashes or is it the same as burying ashes? #cofe #cofepeeps
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
Russia’s cards seem quite limited after all
December 8, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Russia’s cards seem quite limited after all
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
This is the second time Pope Leo has gone viral this year for his singing abilities. The first was a resurfaced video his 2014 rendition of "Feliz Navidad."
December 7, 2025 at 12:02 AM
This is the second time Pope Leo has gone viral this year for his singing abilities. The first was a resurfaced video his 2014 rendition of "Feliz Navidad."
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
I could really do without the new trend of 'Starmer breaks his Trappist silence on the alarming deterioration in race relations' being greeted not by people going 'what kept you so long?' or the hotdog meme, or but 'what are you talking about?'
December 7, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I could really do without the new trend of 'Starmer breaks his Trappist silence on the alarming deterioration in race relations' being greeted not by people going 'what kept you so long?' or the hotdog meme, or but 'what are you talking about?'
You're making me hungry now!!
Anyone else have the Bonnne Mamman Advent calendar? The coffee caramel spread today is too sweet and opulent for my taste
December 7, 2025 at 2:07 PM
You're making me hungry now!!
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
Breaking News:
The Church of England counters the lies of Tommy Robinson & the right wing, racist 'Unite the Kingdom' 😁
'Christ has always been in Christmas' & outsiders are welcome in church & into the Kingdom of God.
#CofE #UKPolitics
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
The Church of England counters the lies of Tommy Robinson & the right wing, racist 'Unite the Kingdom' 😁
'Christ has always been in Christmas' & outsiders are welcome in church & into the Kingdom of God.
#CofE #UKPolitics
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
C of E to challenge Tommy Robinson ‘put Christ back into Christmas’ message
Church leaders respond to far-right appropriation of Christian symbols with ‘Outsiders welcome’ message
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Breaking News:
The Church of England counters the lies of Tommy Robinson & the right wing, racist 'Unite the Kingdom' 😁
'Christ has always been in Christmas' & outsiders are welcome in church & into the Kingdom of God.
#CofE #UKPolitics
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
The Church of England counters the lies of Tommy Robinson & the right wing, racist 'Unite the Kingdom' 😁
'Christ has always been in Christmas' & outsiders are welcome in church & into the Kingdom of God.
#CofE #UKPolitics
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
Hi All, an exciting University of St Andrews announcement. We are launching a new online PGT programme, Conflict and Security in Policy and Practice. It covers a range of topics including peacebuilding, humanitarianism, strategic thought, and war studies. www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/int...
Conflict and Security in Policy and Practice (MSc, PGCert, PGDip) - online
Develop expertise in a range of topics in the field of conflict and security from human and environmental security, to armed conflict and political violence, and from peacebuilding and development to ...
www.st-andrews.ac.uk
December 5, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Hi All, an exciting University of St Andrews announcement. We are launching a new online PGT programme, Conflict and Security in Policy and Practice. It covers a range of topics including peacebuilding, humanitarianism, strategic thought, and war studies. www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/int...
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
1/5 Why is no one talking about this?
Epstein's emails proved that Trump is compromised by Russia.
Why are Ukraine and Europe still letting Trump negotiate their future with Russia?
Epstein's emails proved that Trump is compromised by Russia.
Why are Ukraine and Europe still letting Trump negotiate their future with Russia?
December 5, 2025 at 1:16 PM
1/5 Why is no one talking about this?
Epstein's emails proved that Trump is compromised by Russia.
Why are Ukraine and Europe still letting Trump negotiate their future with Russia?
Epstein's emails proved that Trump is compromised by Russia.
Why are Ukraine and Europe still letting Trump negotiate their future with Russia?
A quote for today "It is impossible to comfort men's hearts with their love of God when their feet are perishing with cold" Willian Booth
December 3, 2025 at 11:50 AM
A quote for today "It is impossible to comfort men's hearts with their love of God when their feet are perishing with cold" Willian Booth
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
Christians in Laos are facing escalating persecution—evictions, raids on house churches, even attacks on pastors—despite the country’s promises of religious freedom.
julieroys.com/inside-the-s...
julieroys.com/inside-the-s...
Inside the Small Communist Nation That Increasingly Oppresses Christians
Christians in Laos are facing growing persecution as authorities tightly monitor religious activity despite promises of freedom.
julieroys.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Christians in Laos are facing escalating persecution—evictions, raids on house churches, even attacks on pastors—despite the country’s promises of religious freedom.
julieroys.com/inside-the-s...
julieroys.com/inside-the-s...
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
It is the eve of Advent. A poem for this evening.
November 29, 2025 at 10:50 PM
It is the eve of Advent. A poem for this evening.
"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." Nelson Mandela
November 30, 2025 at 6:53 PM
"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." Nelson Mandela
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
BOOM!! 100,000 signatures! Now let’s have a date for the debate
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 29, 2025 at 5:17 PM
BOOM!! 100,000 signatures! Now let’s have a date for the debate
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
Just caught up with a friend who got back in touch recently after we hadn't seen each other for OH GOD twenty five years. He's recently written a book about hand-rearing baby gorillas, which is not where I thought he'd end up, but wow. Here is the book: summersdale.com/titles/alan-...
ANYWAY...
ANYWAY...
Gorillas in Our Midst
Step into the fascinating world of Bristol Zoo with Alan Toyne, a dedicated zookeeper and primate expert whose extraordinary story of hand-rearing two baby g...
summersdale.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Just caught up with a friend who got back in touch recently after we hadn't seen each other for OH GOD twenty five years. He's recently written a book about hand-rearing baby gorillas, which is not where I thought he'd end up, but wow. Here is the book: summersdale.com/titles/alan-...
ANYWAY...
ANYWAY...
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
The Russian Orthodox Church bleating about "freedom of religion" in Ukraine- they're not keen on it in Russia. Sheer hypocrisy
Much discussion this week about Russia and Europe-backed peace proposals. Both proposals, as released online, included the same clause guaranteeing freedom of religion in Ukraine, which is expected to “adopt EU rules on religious tolerance.”
For this week's Church Times edition:
For this week's Church Times edition:
Trump’s peace proposal for Ukraine greeted by scepticism from Churches
Negotiations ‘will be an uphill battle’, Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, says
www.churchtimes.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The Russian Orthodox Church bleating about "freedom of religion" in Ukraine- they're not keen on it in Russia. Sheer hypocrisy
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
Great thread
Wow - this guy must be really, REALLY bad with money if an extra £208 per month will “ruin” his retirement.
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
November 29, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Great thread
Well worth a read!
Wow - this guy must be really, REALLY bad with money if an extra £208 per month will “ruin” his retirement.
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
November 29, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Well worth a read!
Reposted by Revd Martin Smith
15,300+ more signatures to go, let's do it! 🇬🇧🇺🇦 #standwithUkraine
November 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
15,300+ more signatures to go, let's do it! 🇬🇧🇺🇦 #standwithUkraine