The Virtual Vicar

Is the joy of standing in line something only celebrated by Brits?

When Vladimir Putin shattered the peace in Europe by unleashing war on a democracy of 44 million people, his justification was that modern, Western-leaning Ukraine was a constant threat and Russia could not feel "safe, develop and exist". Mark and Pete delve deep

Electric cars are seen as an important part of meeting global goals on climate change as part of the green policy of the British government. But how good are they? #electric

Laughter is the best medicine. But how do we laugh in such difficult times?

According to a recent survey (Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2022), the cost of the average funeral in the UK is £4,056 with 32 per cent of people getting into debt by borrowing money on credit cards or taking out loans to cover funeral expenses, and 1 in 6 families who organised a funeral said it caused them notable financial difficulty. Coping with grief is challenging enough without the worry of debt, and that’s why Fosters Funeral Directors is encouraging more families to make their wishes known and to explore the option of pre-paid funeral plans. In years gone by, a funeral service was typically a religious experience with mourners dressed in black and people on the street stopping to bow their heads in respect as the funeral cortege drove by on its final journey, but today there are so many other ways to celebrate a life. Options range from non-attended direct cremation to eco-friendly funerals and there’s even personalised transport like a horse and carriage or motorbike hearse. Interestingly the survey found a 4 per cent increase in the number of direct cremations which could be a result of recent restrictions, or it could reflect a changing attitude to funeral preferences. A relatively new concept, a direct cremation has no service, and no mourners present and is the simplest and least expensive of send-offs. Stevie Mackie, area manager at Fosters Funeral Directors said: “I’d say that personal preferences and price are factors for many people who buy a pre-paid funeral plan. “One gentleman told me the reason he was buying a direct cremation plan was because he hated the formality of funerals and had always found them stressful. When his time came, he wanted ‘zero fuss’ and preferred that his family collect his ashes and go hillwalking to scatter them at his favourite spot, then head to the pub for a meal instead.” Stevie added: “Another lady bought a direct cremation plan because she had spent years paying off her parents funeral expenses and said she’d rather her family spent their money on a holiday or helping the grandkids get a start in life.” For many, the feeling of being able to arrange the funeral and put the worries to the back of your mind offers relief.

There are so many good #films. From Lala Land to The #Batman, from Mary Poppins to Spiderman No Way Way Home, one thing remains constant: whether a film is good or not is subjective. But there are certain characteristics that need to be in place. Mark and Pete investigate.

Around 4000 pairs of Nike shoes were stolen from a lorry in South Lanarkshire. The stolen haul is estimated to be worth more than £400,000. What is wrong with the world? Mark and Pete have the answers.

The internet age has meant people were better prepared for Storm Eunice than they were for the Great Storm of 1987. Widespread warnings issued online in advance should be “a mitigating factor against people dying” compared with 35 years ago, when information was not so widely available. But were we really ready? Mark and Pete have the answers.

It feels like Britons have jumped out of the pan, only to fall straight into the fire as a major cost of living crisis looms over the nation. With gas prices rising steadily throughout the winter and totals at the till creeping up with each weekly shop, can we keep up? Mark and Pete have the answers.

A wholesale supplier is trying to sell 10,800 pieces of crockery that were meant to mark Queen Elizabeth II's upcoming Platinum Jubilee but were instead printed with a glaring mistake. Text on the mugs, plates, and cup-and-saucer sets is meant to read "To Commemorate the Platinum Jubilee but a mistake was made...

Minnie Mouse has a new look but not everyone is happy about the makeover. To honour Disneyland Paris’ 30th-anniversary Designer Stella McCartney created a brand new outfit for the iconic mouse, a blue and black polka-dotted pantsuit. While many are excited that Minnie is mixing things up, some people with ideas from the stone age balked at the idea of a fictional cartoon girl mouse wearing pants, in fact a pantsuit like Hillary Clinton, instead of a dress in 2022. Fashion icons Mark and Pete have the answers.

The #BBC #LicenseFee is frozen for two years and may be axed altogether is the is end of the BBC the beloved institution and public broadcast service? And is that a bad thing? What business solutions are there? Mark and Pete have the answers.

When plans don't work out, even plans that are well intentioned, what do we do next. What does the Bible say. Here is a fascinating bit of the Bible which is very relevant to you today! The Virtual Vicar and King James (so called because he is a big fan of the King James version of the Bible) investigate.The Bible passage: John 2:1-21 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUXsnoi9Z-k

#Godlovestechnology. Technology is rooted in the creative nature of God and its appropriate use is a moral obligation in our stewardship of the earth. Technologies facilitate human actions, thereby shaping societies, and act like amplifiers of human aspirations, both good and bad. We worship God with sustainable and appropriate technologies that work well; that heal, not harm; that are concerned for the poor and for the environment; and that nurture relational values. Mark and Pete investigate how tech especially IT and the myriad #apps are working out for us and God today.

64% of New Year resolutions will be abandoned after one month. Nearly two-thirds of our goals will be long forgotten after just four weeks into 2022. Mark and Pete investigate.