I wrote this poem when my son, Sav*, was 10. I was trying to formulate my feelings about the variety of heritages which he carries but which are mostly unremembered. Also to compare the close, eager Christianity of Africa and the Caribbean with the often-chilly faith practised in emptying spaces across the British isles.

As you can see, Sav is grown now. He will be 22 next month. My feelings of gratitude haven't changed about him; nor towards the strands of warmer faith to which he unknowingly connected me. Parents both know, and cannot know, their children. We can grasp much less of their history, or their future, than we wish. The same goes for our religion. I just hope British Christianity warms up a bit.

Between 18 to 25 January, Christians the length and breadth of the country will join one another to celebrate the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Revd Philip Brooks, Secretary for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations for the United Reformed Church, reflects on how important the week is.

During my time as a student minister, I remember vividly how Christians Together in the town centre of Bolton would cancel Sunday morning worship in their individual churches and hold one united service during this special week. The service would highlight a project where local Christians were engaged in working together to address issues such as homelessness or poverty. It was a powerful act of ecumenical witness and a reminder of the creative force for good that unity in Christ brings.

‘Some of us see her as our pastoral challenge but pressure has been building’

Moving on from atheism,  Commitment-Phobe toured churches and tried God. Now as a new Christian, her journey continues.

'Things are not always hunky dory in the land of the Christians,' says Commitment-Phobe, in her latest Reform magazine column.

'We are all growing at different stages in our faith and in our own maturity. This week I have been on a steep learning curve.