The Trussell Trust, which is a Christian charity that runs a network of food banks across the UK, distributed 87,496 food parcels for children during July and August 2018, up from 73,226 the previous year.

The charity urged the public to donate food, warning that summer holidays can mean children missing out on school meals, and the extra cost of childcare can cause difficulties for hard-pressed families.

Food bank use overall increased by 19 per cent in 2018-19 according to the Trussell Trust’s figures, and the charity expects the trend to continue.

The trust’s chief executive Emma Revie said: “Food banks will do all they can to help families over the summer, with many running holiday clubs to support parents who find that their income simply won’t stretch to meet the extra pressure of missing free school meals or paying for additional childcare during the holidays.

“But no charity can replace the dignity of having enough money for the basics.”

She called on the Government to ensure that benefit payments cover the “true cost of living” and that work pays a “real living wage”.

“Every family should have enough money coming in for a decent standard of living,” she said.

“No child should face going hungry in the UK.”

The Trussell Trust said that tackling delays and gaps in benefits should be treated as a priority by…

A small fragment of papyrus – which was used throughout the ancient Mediterranean world for writing or painting on – was found dating back to the 230s A.D.

It’s thought to be older than all the other Christian documentary evidence of Roman Egypt.

The letter originates from the village of Theadelphia in central Egypt and was sent by Arrianus to his brother, Paulinus.

“Greetings, my lord, my incomparable brother Paulus,” the letter reads.

“I, Arrianus, salute you, praying that all is as well as possible in your life.”

The letter includes updates on the family and even a simple request for some fish liver sauce.

The document is part of a collection of ancient manuscripts at the University of Basel in Switzerland.

The letter provides valuable insights into the world of the first Christians in the Roman Empire, which is not recorded in any other historical source.

The earliest Christians in the Roman Empire are usually portrayed as eccentrics who withdrew from the world and were threatened by persecution, the researchers explained in a press release. 

The letter also sheds light on the brother’s faith, with Arrianus wishing his brother well “in the Lord”.

“I pray that you fare well in the Lord,” he adds.

According to University of Basel researcher Professor Sabine Huebner, the brothers appear to have been young, educated sons of the local elite, as well as…

Delegates narrowly voted down a proposal to add same-sex unions to national Church laws at the Church’s general synod.

Branches of the Church in each province will however still be able to decide if they want to conduct same-sex unions.

Rev Linda Nicholls, who recently became the first woman chosen to lead the Church, acknowledged the disappointment the decision would bring for many.

“The failure of the motion to change the marriage canon will be deeply painful for LGBTQ+ members of our Church and for those beyond the Church who looked to this step as a sign of hope and inclusion,” Bishop Linda wrote in a Facebook post.

The motion required the support of two thirds of delegates from the three orders – lay, clergy and bishops. 80 per cent of the lay delegates and 73 per cent of the clergy voted to adopt the resolution. However, the bishops were two votes shy of what was needed for the proposal to be written into Church law.

Bishop Linda said that when the decision was announced, the only sound in the room was the sobbing of a member from the LGBTQ+ youth delegation.

“That sound will resound in the hearts of all those present as a moment not only of personal mourning but of the mourning of a Church that was unable to find a way to live with differences despite the best efforts of many people,” she added.

The Anglican Church of Canada has been debating…