Spring 2026 NJPN Newsletter
The Spring 2026 NJPN Newsletter is available to read now,
This edition looks at a range of topics, including nuclear weapons, the 2026 NJPN conference, the year ahead, and the future of NJPN,
Feel free to share with anyone who may be interested,
Spring 2026 Newsletter
NJPN would like to thank the Columbans for handling the mailing of our newsletter with Vocation for Justice for many years.
With the increasing cost of postage and the advances of electronic media the Columbans have taken the decision to move to an online newsletter.
Our newsletter will continue to be produced on a regular basis, and will be featured on our website as usual, but if you wish to sign up to receive the newsletter by email please contact
admin@justice-and-peace.org.uk
Spring 2026 Newsletter
NJPN E-Bulletin 4th January 2026
Dear Friends,
The above quote is one of my favourites, and has cropped up in
various places in this holy season, including a Christmas card sent
from my friends at Journey to 2030. To me, this indicates a clear
message to me personally, as well as the NJPN as a whole.
It is very hard to be hopeful when all around us is doom and gloom.
This Saturday we awoke to the news that Venezuela has been
attacked by the US, and that the Venezuelan President and his wife
have been captured. What repercussions that will bring on the
international stage, who knows. (in the Peace Section below you will
find a link to Pax Christi International’s Statement condemning the action).
When I went to look something up on my internet search engine during the week, a headline offered suggestions as to who were going to be the main players in World War 3 and where the most likely places that it would start were going to be. I couldn’t read it, mainly because I tend to do an impression of an ostrich in thinking about this – if I stick my head in the sand, it may never happen.
Going back to the above quote from John:1, the National Justice and
Peace Network, along with our partner organisations and the people
that surround us, need to be shining the light, and being that light in the darkness. We may not always feel hopeful, but we can certainly
highlight the campaigns, and be involved, where that light needs to be shone.
Please shine that light with us in 2026! May the New Year bring us
peace, happiness and love as we journey forward with hope.
God bless,
Sharon
The full eBulletin can be read by clicking the below link;
Ebulletin 4 January 2026
NW NJPN E Bulletin for January 2026
As 2025 draws to a close, the NW NJPN E Bulletin for January 2026 reflects on the story of the Holy Family in the light of today’s world in which so many people are forced to flee. Yuliia left her homeland in Ukraine in search of a safer life in Wales for her family. She shares the impact of being a displaced person and says: “even here in Wales, I feel the atmosphere changing. I hear it in conversations. I see it online. Far-right narratives are growing louder, and compassion is slowly being pushed aside by fear and hate.” One of the key take-aways of 2025 for me has been the alarming rise of ‘nationalism’ and with it a backlash against newcomers. In my home town a local hotel has been allocated to asylum seekers, mostly young men, resulting in an unpleasant atmosphere of protests and Union Jack flags displayed on surrounding lamp posts.
Also included in this bulletin are resources for Peace Sunday, a reminder for entries in the Columbans’ Schools Media competition and an update on a number of unsettling developments on the West Bank that have received little attention in the mainstream media. Ian Linden compares this year’s Reith lectures from Rutger Bregman, the Dutch historian and author to a 2012 lecture by Scottish Catholic philosopher of ethics, Alasdair MacIntyre – who died in May this year – and favours MacIntyre‘s radical vison of how the common good, the personal the social and the economic, might be considered and acted on.
There are two ‘blessing’ poems from Jan Richardson whose spiritual writings formed much of this year’s Pray and Reflect Advent material in my parish (and online via NJPN) which took as its theme Walking the Way of Hope.
Wishing all our readers every blessing for the New Year as we pray for peace, tolerance and compassion for all.
Anne O’Connor
NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin January 2026
NJPN E-Bulletin Christmas 2025
Dear Friends,
It has been a busy Jubilee year for the NJPN. We have had successful webinars, and in-person events, all focusing around the theme of Opening Doors…. If you are interested in our plans for 2026, please check out our website www.justice-and-peace.org.uk and see what we will be ‘Shining the Light on’…
Also, if you were unable to attend our Conference in July, themed around ‘Just Peace’ you may be interested in looking at some of the recordings of the speakers on our YouTube Channel.
Whilst those of us in our ever-increasing network are working really hard to raise awareness of the shocking things that are going on in this world, the world leaders seem to have a different agenda. I rarely listen to the news nowadays. You are never too sure whose angle it is that you are listening to, whether it has been written by AI, or whether there has been some sort of censoring (depending on where the news has come from). Our Conference, in July 2026, is based around the theme of ‘Just Talk’ and we will be looking at dialogue, Artificial Intelligence, the Media – and many other things besides. More details on the Conference will be sent out in the
New Year.
I have put together a selection of news and campaigns from around the network, and look forward to working with you all in 2026. If you want anything included, particularly events, please email ebulletin@justice-andpeace.org.uk
Wishing you every blessing for Christmas and the New Year,
Sharon
P.S. As this e-bulletin was being prepared, the news came through that Bishop Richard Moth has been appointed as the new Archbishop of Westminster. We congratulate him as he becomes Leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and we thank Cardinal Vincent Nichols for his sixteen years of service. May he have a long and happy retirement.
The full Christmas 2025 NJPN eBulletin is available to read by clicking the link below:
Ebulletin Christmas 2025
NW NJPN E Bulletin December 2025
The December issue of the NW NJPN E Bulletin features a wealth of resources for Advent and Peace Sunday plus current news including a response from Caritas Salford and the SVP welcoming the lifting of the two-child benefit cap in Wednesday’s Budget. Regular contributor Ian Linden examines The Pope & the Lords of Silicon Valley and Cameron Bellm offers a Contemplative Guide to praying the news – 10 Steps for engaging prayerfully and prophetically with our times. Local schools across the region are featured plus diary dates taking us into the New Year.
Wishing all our readers all the blessings of the Advent and Christmas seasons.
Please read and pass on to others.
Anne O’Connor
NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin December 2025
Winter Mouthpeace 2025-2026
Last week’s weather prompted me to get this out in good time as it seems as if we are starting Advent early this year.
I wanted to give you reasonable notice of the NJPN/ Pax Christi webinar next Monday evening ( Dec 1st)
Also a selection of suggestions for Advent reading, prayer and reflection.
In the New Year there is a greater focus on peace with Peace Sunday in January. Pax Christi in their latest news bulletin have made some useful suggestions to help a parish prepare for this day,.
Thank you to Sue Gubric as usual for all the contributions she gets from various groups in the Lancaster Diocese. This allows her to spread Mouthpeace far and wide in keeping with the more ecumenical approach we are having now.
Enjoy reading
Best wishes for a happy, peaceful Christimas and an interesting 2026.
Marian
Grant and Major Donor Fundraising Manager at WCCM
Grant and Major Donor Fundraising Manager
Permanent Position /One year contract, renewable – 28 hours per week
Based London EC1
Reports to Executive Director
Salary £40,000 pro-rata (£32,000 for 0.8)
WCCM seeks to appoint an experienced, creative, and highly motivated Grant and Major Donor Fundraising Manager to lead fundraising and grant management across a global organisation dedicated to the teaching of Christian Meditation. Working to the Executive Director, you will interact with our decentralised finance, marketing and communications staff and volunteers. Together, you will nurture Major Donor relationships and create and manage appropriate donor stewardship schemes and rationalise our income streams. You’ll ensure grant reporting and management is kept on track whilst developing targeted proposals for new funding from sympathetic donors in the arena of Trusts and foundations. You will work to support both our teaching and resourcing of meditation and the running of our retreat centre in Bonnevaux, near Poitiers in France. An excellent writer with excellent financial and budgeting skills, you will be adept at pulling together relevant, succinct and compelling information for our donor reports and bids. You’ll work with communications staff to develop impactful donor communications which enhance our accountability and inspire renewed major donations. You will have a demonstrable track record in winning grants as well as in the stewardship of major donors. Occasional trips to France. Interest in Christian Meditation/Spirituality an advantage.
Interviews: early December 2025
Email: donal.guerin@wccm.org for full Job Description, Person Spec and details of how to apply.
Closing Date: 20 November 2025
Grant and MD fundraising Manager – job blurb
Christ Among the Ruins Finding Light in Gaza’s Darkness
Christ Among the Ruins Finding Light in Gaza’s Darkness
National Justice & Peace Network & Pax Christi England and Wales
December 1st at 7.30pm
A live webinar and conversation of faith, witness, and action
As the people of Gaza face unimaginable suffering amid ongoing bombardment, displacement, and humanitarian crisis — and as Israeli and Jewish communities worldwide grieve, fear, and struggle with the weight of violence and loss — we gather to seek Christ’s light among the ruins.
This webinar invites participants to reflect on how the Church understands and responds to this unfolding tragedy: where we find Christ in the midst of devastation, and how we can bear faithful witness to peace, justice, and compassion in a world so deeply divided.
Together, we will listen to diverse voices — including perspectives from Activists both Christians & Jewish – Peace Advocates, and Church Leaders — to explore how followers of Christ can pray, speak, and act with integrity. We will also consider practical steps for advocacy, including how to engage elected representatives and support those most affected by the conflict.
You are warmly invited to join this conversation, to share your own thoughts and experiences, and to discern together what it means to be people of light in a time of darkness and to take an action for Advent afterwards.
🕯️ A recording of the session will be made available afterward for those unable to attend live.
The Zoom Link to attend this Webinar will be sent to you closer to the event itself.
Thank you for registering.
The NJPN and Pax Christi Executives.
(National Justice and Peace Network & Pax Christi England and Wales)
See Poster Attached
You can register HERE or by downloading the poster and clicking the link on the poster.
To download the poster click here
NW NJPN E BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2025
The November issue of the NW NJPN E BULLETIN focuses on the forthcoming COP30 in Brazil and the genocide in Sudan with articles and prayers for both. Priest and prophetic theologian Rev’d Jon Swales challenges us with a poem for climate justice and Seattle-based writer Cameron Bellm offers a powerful reflection on violence and hope following the recent assassination of American political activist Charlie Kirk. Johnny Zokovitch, the former executive director of Pax Christi USA, has written a personal reflection on ‘Naming our Fears and Surviving Together’ based on his experience on a Pax Christi retreat. Regular contributor Ian Linden looks at Pope Leo’s recent Apostolic Exhortation on the Love of the Poor, Dilexi Te, and wonders how many parishes or dioceses will promote this document. Is Catholic Social Teaching still the church’s ‘best kept secret’? You might consider joining the webinar on Dilexi Te with expert speakers or perhaps promoting it in your parish bulletin – see page 12. We also print the text of Professor Linden’s Middlesbrough J & P Commission Storey Lecture given on 8 May this year on the theme Option for the Poor: Foundations & Spirituality.
The Catholic and Church of England Bishops of Portsmouth have released a joint statement following reports of intimidation, blaming and scapegoating of asylum seekers and refugees urging compassion and a humane way forward.
There are also links to some Advent resources – for this year I’ve produced a booklet (one page of A4 folded) with readings, reflections and prayers for each of the four weeks on the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love plus a choice of 2 leaflets of services on these themes for parish use. Please feel free to use as you wish but do include any acknowledgements for the authors as indicated in the text. You can download these resources from NJPN here:
REFLECTIONS FOR ADVENT HOPE PEACE JOY LOVE https://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/resources/7447/attachment/reflections-for-advent-hope-peace-joy-love/
SERVICE FOR ADVENT HOPE PEACE JOY LOVE https://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/resources/7447/attachment/service-for-advent-hope-peace-joy-love/
and an alternative SERVICE FOR ADVENT HOPE PEACE JOY LOVE [2] https://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/resources/7447/attachment/service-for-advent-hope-peace-joy-love-2/ which includes some lovely Advent Wreath Prayers by Rev Lisa Degrenia
All this in a very packed bulletin, plus news updates from Church Action on Poverty, Pax Christ and CAFOD and details of the Columbans Schools Competition.
Please read and pass on to others
Best wishes
Anne O’Connor
NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin November 2025
Resources for Advent 2025
Anne O’Connor has produced a wonderful set of resources for use during Advent 2025
1. A reflection booklet for the four weeks of Advent on the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love
REFLECTIONS FOR ADVENT HOPE PEACE JOY LOVE
2. A service of prayer and reflection on these themes
SERVICE FOR ADVENT HOPE PEACE JOY LOVE
3. An alternative service on these themes using different reflections and prayers and including Advent Wreath prayers
SERVICE FOR ADVENT HOPE PEACE JOY LOVE [2]
Please do use and share with anyone you think may be interested.
