Paul Bayes's Avatar

Paul Bayes

@paulbayes.bsky.social

He/him. Gracehoper, widowed, father, grandfather, retired bishop, diminished and gone into the West.

990 Followers  |  284 Following  |  139 Posts  |  Joined: 19.08.2023
Posts Following

Posts by Paul Bayes (@paulbayes.bsky.social)

Pictures of two books of mine: the Table (2019) and the Door (2025)

Pictures of two books of mine: the Table (2019) and the Door (2025)

Six eventful years.

15.12.2025 09:29 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

The fact is no presenter has ever had to leave the BBC for expressing conservative views, or even explicitly endorsing a right-wing party.

Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar

13.12.2025 16:36 β€” πŸ‘ 5167    πŸ” 1911    πŸ’¬ 70    πŸ“Œ 39
Bishop Helen-Ann’s Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod - Newcastle Diocese Over the past couple of months, one question has been something of a guiding light in my daily life and work: who is my neighbour? It’s a question asked of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus’ answer comes ...

This is as fine a Presidential Address to a Synod as I have ever heard or read.
www.newcastle.anglican.org/news/bishop-...

06.12.2025 15:40 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 0

❀️

02.12.2025 13:05 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

For context the 'Middle England' referred to here is the 0.5% of households living in homes worth more than Β£2 million

30.11.2025 22:27 β€” πŸ‘ 1803    πŸ” 506    πŸ’¬ 84    πŸ“Œ 29
Preview
Your Party members vote to make name permanent at tense first conference Liverpool gathering lays bare bitter divisions within new party founded by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana

It’s so hard to see these people as serious. Which is a pity, because we need clear and smart voices on the left. I do so regret that that’s not what I’m hearing from this lot.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...?

30.11.2025 18:55 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
a baby in a blue shirt is crawling on a bed ALT: a baby in a blue shirt is crawling on a bed

They can indeed. You need to go, and adopt the Corpse position; lie down (preferably on your back) and snooze for 20 minutes.

28.11.2025 19:35 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Well I’m 72 and I could sign this. If not now, when? @scmbritain.bsky.social

27.11.2025 21:11 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Christ (The) No Kings Sunday A Sunday Musing

If Jesus is King, it is the weirdest β€œkingship” ever not-known in history...because he invited everyone to a shared table and proclaimed liberation. The kingdom he envisioned was one of human solidarity, non-violence, and shared goods.

Christ (The) No Kings Sunday
open.substack.com/pub/dianabut...

23.11.2025 17:35 β€” πŸ‘ 89    πŸ” 17    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

Steve’s voice will be very greatly missed in the national Church as well as in the Diocese. I pray for him and his as this transition begins.

18.11.2025 14:19 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Anglican bishop shaken β€˜to the core’ by home secretary’s asylum seeker comments Bishop of Edmonton says people coming to UK are being β€˜scapegoated’ for years of policy failures

I’m very grateful to Anderson for speaking out so effectively. I’m sure he is not the only Bishop, and certainly not the only Christian, who will be repelled by the tone and the effect of the disastrous posturings of what I had thought was a Labour government. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

17.11.2025 18:58 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Cries of Suffering: A Response to β€˜The Nature of Doctrine and the Living God’ - ViaMedia.News by Mike Higton, Professor of Theology and Ministry at Durham University The Faith and Order Commission’s recent document on β€˜The Nature of Doctrine and the Living God’ (GS Misc 1429) is not, in my jud...

Any #CofEpeeps following the sorry saga of #LLF should read this powerful response by Professor Mike Higton to the "misappropriation" of his work in the recent Faith and Order Commission paper on doctrine, intended to inform the House of Bishops decision-making. viamedia.news/2025/11/17/c...

17.11.2025 14:06 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Someone should ask Starmer and Mahmood whether they think the Kindertransport, for example, should have been a return ticket. Whether Alf Dubs, rather than becoming a Labour MP and now Lord, ought to have been sent back with his family to Czechoslovakia once it was liberated from German rule.

15.11.2025 09:05 β€” πŸ‘ 616    πŸ” 242    πŸ’¬ 17    πŸ“Œ 12

I’ve signed it too. If you agree with this letter, please sign it.

24.10.2025 17:36 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Life Happens Circumstances and our faith perspectives can change suddenly and unexpectedly. Paul Bayes advises us not to fear change, but to learn to breathe new air.

β€˜Once upon a time you crossed the threshold into faith, and there you still are, but the air you breathe has changed.’ @paulbayes.bsky.social responds to unexpected changes in life and faith: dlted.substack.com/i/176925510/...

24.10.2025 16:08 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Copies of the book β€œThe Door”

Copies of the book β€œThe Door”

Spotted in the wild! Available from your local bookshop, or via DLT (dartonlongmantodd.co.uk/titles/2414-...) or even Amazon πŸ™‚.

24.09.2025 10:59 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
'Diplomatic efforts' under way to resolve Your Party row A source close to the pair told Sky News they were mediating behind the scenes to salvage the party's future

They talk a good talk. But these people are not serious.

news.sky.com/story/diplom...

19.09.2025 19:51 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Here comes Nietzsche, but much ritzsche. Tragic history repeated as farce.

17.09.2025 19:20 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Guardian view on Christianity and the UK far right: churches must stand up to the false prophets of division | Editorial Editorial: Symbols of Christian nationalism were prominent at last Saturday’s β€˜unite the kingdom’ march. Their deployment had little to do with religious faith

This is absolutely the case. I honour those bishops and others who have spoken out for the values of the faith they hold. I hope that all Christians, lay and ordained, will make use of whatever platform they have to oppose the growth of hatred in our nation.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

17.09.2025 18:01 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Well, here you go, friends. Some reflections on truth-telling, grief and uncertainty in fragmented times. You can get it via Amazon, or you may well prefer to order from your friendly local bookshop or directly from the publisher (dartonlongmantodd.co.uk/.../2414-978...) Thanks!

17.09.2025 11:51 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
Picture of the Bath school of art and design, Locksbrook Road, Bath

Picture of the Bath school of art and design, Locksbrook Road, Bath

I’m sorry to see that Nicholas Grimshaw has died. His architecture has enriched the world. It’s a privilege to live on the same street in Bath as this iconic piece.

www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

16.09.2025 19:36 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I’m afraid this is so.

15.09.2025 10:42 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Conservative MP Danny Kruger defects to Reform UK The East Wiltshire MP said the Conservatives were no longer the principal party of opposition.

This bodes ill for intelligent conversation on the relationship between faith and citizenship. Kruger has become the primary exponent of so-called Christian nationalism in the UK.

Conservative MP Danny Kruger defects to Reform UK www.bbc.com/news/article...

15.09.2025 10:33 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 5    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Balance the BBC The BBC is our national broadcaster, people expect and deserve balanced news coverage.

I support this campaign.

www.libdems.org.uk/bbc

09.09.2025 18:47 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

❀️

28.08.2025 18:43 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Dreadful. No courage, no vision, no readiness or reasons to stand for human values and dignity and welcome. This pitiful spinelessness disgraces us all.

26.08.2025 19:01 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

If ever I feel blue about the state of the world. If ever all of it makes me feel hopeless and forlorn. I do one simple thing. And that one thing is running "tesla sales" through any news search engine. And a glimmer of hope arises that the arc of justice may actually exist.

21.08.2025 19:02 β€” πŸ‘ 188    πŸ” 39    πŸ’¬ 8    πŸ“Œ 2

Yes indeed. Britain isn’t the US – but conservative Christian US money buys a lot here.

20.08.2025 18:54 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

If Trump sells out Ukraine, Britain must lead a coalition of the willing to defend our continent without him.

13.08.2025 14:51 β€” πŸ‘ 319    πŸ” 96    πŸ’¬ 19    πŸ“Œ 2

This is an outstanding appointment, and one which gives real hope for the future. Hooray!

30.07.2025 14:29 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0