Our Daily Bread: From Argos to the Altar - a Priest's Story

Description

A warmly funny, intensely moving and startlingly personal account of the lives of an urban parish priest and his parishioners. Father Alex Frost was not always a man of the cloth. He found his calling while running an Argos store in his native Burnley, moonlighting as a stand-up comedian and die-hard fan of The Clarets and Depeche Mode. But having achieved his profession, Fr Alex quickly recognised the 17,000 inhabitants of his new parish were in dire need of help. Burnley is typical of many towns across Britain: a place of run-down council estates, severe poverty litter, crime and drugs, but also a place where the sacred sits alongside the secular in an intimate and personal way. And so it was that he found himself running a food bank from a car park, helping the desperate amid his flock as the pandemic raged. Fr Alex's down-to-earth style of ministry struck a chord with people of all faiths, cultures and class at a time when the divide between rich and poor is widening cataclysmically. But amid the tragedy, addiction, appalling loss, illness and neglect, there also lies hope, joy and moments of comedy. Our Daily Bread is as much the story of the rich cast of characters that cross the threshold of any church as it is our vicar's. Through them it shows the continued relevance of the church for those in peril: the poor and the marginalised. This heartfelt and moving book seeks to give a voice to the voiceless, charting the tragedy and pain, humour and hope which are ever-present in his community. It is ultimately about modern poverty - and how we all can, and should, espouse Christian virtues of love, kindness, tolerance.

Father Alex Frost is the vicar of St Matthew's the Apostle, Burnley. Ordained in 2012 after a mixed career working as a football referee, manager at Argos and a stand-up comic, Fr Alex was recently appointed to the General Synod for Blackburn Diocese. He hosts of The God Cast, a podcast devoted to issues of faith and spirituality, and recently featured in a BBC documentary called 'The Cost of Covid - One Year On,' which has been viewed 12 million times. He is married and has three children.

'A unique and rare insight into the work of an urban parish priest. Deeply moving, but amid the unfairness and injustice, there is also humour, love and togetherness.' Alastair Campbell 'A beautiful, touching, funny and - most of all - important book. It's an insight into the real, often unseen Church and into the North of England as well. This wonderful book does them both proud.' The Revd Fergus Butler-Gallie, author of A Field Guide to the English Clergy 'Frost understands the importance of listening. And it is that gift of listening that makes this book so compelling. ... It is also genuinely funny, because people facing cement-like hardship often use humour as an escape mechanism. ... Our Daily Bread changed me, and will change other people. I'm so very glad that he wrote it.' Church Times 'Alex Frost is that rare thing: an Anglican clergyman with conviction, zest and the ability to listen to a range of opinions.' Quentin Letts, The Times 'Funny, thoughtful and, most importantly, humane: Alex Frost is a light in dark times.' Ian Dunt, author of How to be a Liberal 'What shines out is Fr Alex's basic humanity, his love of people, his good sense and good humour. He's a star.' Edwina Currie 'Father Alex is a person of real integrity, joy and compassion. His vital work in bringing practical help and a voice to the neglected has been inspirational.' Reverend Matt Woodcock, author of Becoming Reverend and Radio 2 contributor 'Fr Alex's kindness and unconditional love for people in crisis helped inspire a nation. His story and those of the people he helped deserve to be told.' Ed Thomas, BBC News 'Father Alex is a one-off.' Jeffrey Archer 'Father Alex is funny, engaging, totally sincere and never afraid to ask. Everyone who reads this book will take something from it.' Anthea Turner