Today we remember a King who pledged to serve, and a Queen who gave us hope. And we give thanks, because hope and service, with love, are the path to flourishing communities
Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Thought for the Day, Radio 4, 8 September
To normalise weapons, as though they were just another helpful contributor to the UK’s Balance of Trade, demeans and brutalises us all
David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, message to “No Faith in War Day” at the Defence Security Equipment International protests at the ExCel Centre, Docklands, 7 September
I realised God puts you through tribulations and trials, and this makes this moment even sweeter than I could imagine. I don’t pray for results. I just ask that I get the strength to give it my all. Whatever happens, happens. I’m so blessed in this life
Coco Gauff, tennis player, interview after winning the US Open, 10 September
[What have you changed your mind about?] The degree to which we are fish swimming in Christian waters
Tom Holland, historian, interview in Prospect, 6 September
In the Orthodox church in Lincoln, where I have been worshipping for the past 18 months, there has been a significant growth in numbers, which I understand is reflected in Orthodox churches in other parts of the UK. It appears that people are being drawn in by the wisdom of the ages rather more than by the wisdom of this passing age
Jim Wellington, letter, The Sunday Times, 10 September
It is striking that many of those who bemoan contemporary moral decline are also at the forefront of the demonisation of people on the margins of society or of those struggling for social change, from asylum seekers to benefit claimants, from trade unionists to protesters. If we want to take a stand against moral decay, there is no better place to begin than to challenge such demonisation
Kenan Malik, The Observer, 10 September
We invite readers’ contributions. Quotations have to be from the past few days (or quoted therein), and we need author, source, and date. Please send promptly to: quotes@churchtimes.co.uk