The Rev Kate Bottley visits the New Room in Bristol, which, despite its name, is the oldest Methodist Chapel in the world. It is where John Wesley began the Methodist movement over 250 years ago. Kate speaks to historian Gary Best and learns about Wesley’s radical preaching and passion for social justice. She finds out about how he devised a special ‘covenant’ service that is still used by millions of Christians to mark each new year. Kate also meets 19-year-old Thelma Commey, the current Youth President of the Methodist Church, to hear what the covenant service means to young Methodists today. The determination to help the poor and marginalised was continued by many of John Wesley’s Methodist clergy, and Sean Fletcher goes to London to discover a story that began exactly 150 years ago. Methodist minister Rev Thomas Bowman Stephenson was so moved by the plight of poor children in Victorian London that he set up a home for them. It quickly grew to become the National Children’s Home and is now the charity Action for Children. Sean visits the spot in east London where the first major home stood and meets the current trustee, Daleep Mukarji. He also chats to Antiques Roadshow expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan to hear about the huge and positive impact he believes living in a Christian children’s home had on his childhood. For Epiphany Sunday, we visit a remarkable project on Teesside. Using the imagery of Epiphany – stars and light in the darkness – One More Light is a community initiative that brings people together through music to raise awareness about mental health and suicide. And back in Bristol, Kate meets four teenage Christians who have just been confirmed as members of their local Methodist church. She finds out what that special step meant to them and why they wanted to join. Music O for a Thousand Tongues - Albert Hall, Nottingham The Creed - Christ Church, Downend, Bristol His Eye Is on the Sparrow - Jermain Jackman I Am the Gentle Light - Ang

Claire McCollum visits the city of Carlisle in Cumbria, exploring its castle’s history dating back to AD72, and meets local Christians aiming to transform the lives of others at home and abroad. She discovers the medieval Christian carvings in the walls of Carlisle Castle and joins archaeologist Dr Humphrey Welfare, whose own parish church is built from the stone of Hadrian’s Wall. Claire also visits the restored St Aidan’s Church, which in 2015 was devastated by major floods in Carlisle. Radzi Chinyanganya meets the Rev. Matt Martinson, a former armed robber whose life was transformed by Christianity. He is now a Church of England vicar with a parish in Carlisle and regularly shares his faith on the streets. And married medic couple Thomas and Hannah explain their faith-led decision to work in the hospitals of Thomas’s homeland, Sierra Leone. Hymns and songs, several of which are from St Cuthbert’s Church in Carlisle, are At the Name of Jesus, As the Deer Pants for the Water, Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone), Give Me Oil in My Lamp, Breathe On Me Breath of God, Build My Life, and Blessed Assurance.

The Rev. Kate Bottley is in Kinross on the banks of Loch Leven, the largest loch in the Scottish Lowlands. At the RSPB reserve at dawn, she sees thousands of pink-footed geese take flight, and she hears from one of the volunteers about why the goose is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in the Celtic church. She visits the local children’s hospice, Rachel House, to see their inspirational work, and new Songs of Praise presenter Jay Lusted takes to the skies in a specially adapted glider that enables people with disabilities to experience the exhilaration of flying. There are hymns from around Scotland, and Eddie Reader sings Amazing Grace in the stunning Dunnottar Castle in Aberdeenshire.

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Aled Jones meets Dr James Smith, the Christian co- founder of the National Holocaust Centre and Museum in Nottingham and hears about the outreach work taking place there with schools and survivors. The programme features Jewish Holocaust survivors now living in the UK, including a German lady who was rescued as a child and then educated in England by the Quakers, and a Polish survivor who witnessed the murder of her aunt by the Nazis. Diane Scupholme tells Aled about the role her father, a chaplain, played in the liberation of Belsen and how the reports written by British chaplains became an important historical record of the cruelty and suffering experienced by those imprisoned in the camps. The Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Olivia Marks-Woldman, tells Pam Rhodes about the special projects and events taking place across the UK to mark this landmark anniversary, and we have hymns from around the country, including Abide With Me from Glasgow Cathedral, The Lord’s My Shepherd from Tideswell in Derbyshire and Make Me a Channel of Your Peace from Northampton.

Katherine Jenkins visits Reading to discover its fascinating Christian history. She explores the ruins of Reading Abbey, once one of the finest churches in Europe, which also has an important role in the history of English music. Katherine hears how a 13th-century manuscript from Reading Abbey contains the oldest English song with musical notation to be sung as a round, and how it could be performed as both a popular song in English or as a hymn of praise in Latin. Kate Bottley visits the magnificent snowdrop gardens of Colesbourne Park in Gloucestershire. She discovers that these simple little flowers were brought to England from Europe and the Middle East by monks because they are a powerful symbol of the Christian feast of Candlemas, which is celebrated on 2 February. Members of the Reading Community Gospel Choir – who recently won the Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year competition – share what being in the choir means to them. For some, singing gospel together has completely changed their lives and brought them to faith. And finally Katherine explores an unexpected treasure in Reading Museum – a full scale replica of the Bayeux Tapestry. She meets the volunteer 'stitchers' who repair and maintain many artefacts in the museum and keep alive the same embroidery techniques used to make the original nearly 1,000 years ago. They reveal how a group of Victorian ladies from Staffordshire made the replica, and Katherine speaks to Dr Anna Henderson about the significance of the tapestry and what part faith played in the events of 1066. With many hymns and songs from Reading Town Hall, including another chance to see the winning performance from Reading Community Gospel Choir.

Sean Fletcher is in Whalley Abbey in Lancashire to find out how they, and a minister with Asperger's, are helping others with the condition for this autism-friendly episode. We hear from members of the world’s first performing autistic adult choir to find out what it’s like to sing in the groundbreaking group. Plus hymns and songs from across the UK.

Katherine Jenkins explores sacred inspiration at St Mary’s Kempley in Gloucestershire, home of unique 12th-century Bible paintings. Historian Dr Michael Carter explains their origins and expert Rachel Turnbull reveals the remarkable close-up detail. Katherine also hears about the Chapel of Our Lady in the Crag in North Yorkshire, a tiny space carved into a rock, which has become a place of pilgrimage for many Catholic visitors. JB Gill visits Bloomsbury Baptist Church in London, designed with unusually impressive architecture. He reveals its legacy of sacred music-making and progressive Christian faith. Katherine then meets PJ Crook, celebrated artist to the rock and pop world, who now uses prayer to inspire her paintings, including a beautiful altarpiece she has created for her home church in Gloucestershire.

Sean Fletcher visits Pershore Abbey in Worcestershire to find out how the community is preparing for Lent. He assists the Rev. Claire Lording as she burns last year’s palm crosses ready for the Ash Wednesday service. He hears how members of the local churches go on to the streets offering to pray for passers-by at the Ash Wednesday service. It’s part of a Church of England initiative called Pray One for Me, and the Bishop of Worcester explains how he came up with the idea. Ahead of Shrove Tuesday, Sean joins the Brownies in the Abbey’s community centre, where they are holding a pancake party for friends and family. James Lusted is in Oxford to meet Icolyn Smith the 89-year-old lady who has run the Oxford Soup Kitchen for the past 30 years. Twice a week she cooks meals for the homeless and those in need. Much of our music comes from Pershore Abbey, where Katherine Jenkins leads the congregation in one of the UK’s favourite hymns and the choir, Voces8, perform Drop, Drop, Slow Tears.

In this week’s Songs of Praise, spring is finally in the air! Aled Jones explores the magnificent Kew Gardens in London in the company of one of the nation’s favourite gardeners, Alan Titchmarsh. Alan was a student at Kew 50 years ago and shows Aled one of the rarest plants in the world that was under his care. Thankfully it is still thriving! He also shares memories of presenting Songs of Praise in the 1980s and 1990s and reflects on finding God in nature. Aled also discovers the groundbreaking scientific work happening at Kew, which houses specimens of 96% of the world’s plants. Botanist Dr Olwen Grace explains how the research behind the scenes at Kew could help tackle the effects of climate change. Aled also meets Christian chef Suzanne Kirlew, better known as Kirly Sue, who follows a plant-based diet and specialises in vegan recipes. With Aled’s help she makes vegan cup cakes and explains how, for her, Christian faith and food go hand in hand. Sean Fletcher discovers how apps and podcasts are helping Christians to read the whole Bible in one year, we have hymns and songs from across the UK celebrating the creation of God, and for St David’s Day we have a very special performance from one of Wales’s finest voices, Sir Bryn Terfel.

On International Women’s Day, Katherine Jenkins learns how a 100-year-old charity, Save the Children, was founded by Christian sisters Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton. Author Clare Mulley explains how the sisters’ campaigning work for starving children after the First World War led to the formation of the charity and the establishing of what is now the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Katherine meets Christian medics John and Sally Rawlinson, who were inspired by the story of Eglantyne and Dorothy to work overseas with children and families in the aftermath of the 1972 civil war in Yemen. Children’s author Michelle Sloan introduces her book celebrating women of the Bible to a group of schoolchildren, and JB Gill lends a hand to boutique charity shop manager Eugene Cooper in Wandsworth and hears how the Christian faith motivates him and fellow volunteer Bethany Hendrikse in their charity work. All the hymns and songs this week, from across the UK, are by female writers.

Ahead of St Patrick’s Day, Claire McCollum is in County Down in Northern Ireland. St Patrick isn’t Ireland’s only patron saint, as Claire finds out about the life and work of the lesser-known St Brigid, locally famed for turning tree bark into bacon. One of Belfast’s sons, CS Lewis was inspired by the beautiful landscape of County Down to write his Chronicles of Narnia, and we learn more about his sometimes reluctant Christianity at his home church in East Belfast. Claire discovers how the Anglican Church is encouraging its congregations to take part in a countrywide spring clean. She joins a Christian youth group of Protestants and Catholics in Downpatrick to give them a hand litter-picking for Lent. Plus music from across Northern Ireland and a very special performance of In Christ Alone with Daniel O’Donnell.

To celebrate Mothering Sunday, Katherine Jenkins joins members of the Mothers’ Union at Worthing Hospital to hear about their work providing emergency maternity bags for new mums, and she finds out about the history of this Christian organisation with four million members worldwide. Pam Rhodes meets inspirational mother and daughter Diane and Katie Piper to hear how Katie’s faith helped her to recover from life-threatening injuries following an acid attack in 2008. Twelve-year-old Romeo from London explains why he was inspired to write a book about his mum, Juliet, and her battle with cancer, and there are hymns and songs from around the country.

In a special episode, Aled Jones speaks to the archbishop of York designate, the right rev Stephen Cottrell, about the Christian hope that can still be found despite the troubled times we’re currently in. The new archbishop shares how Bible stories, where people placed their hope in Jesus, still give him inspiration and comfort today. Aled also recalls recent episodes when he met those whose faith saw them through especially challenging times – a mother who survived the Grenfell Tower tragedy and Harry Billinge the Second World War veteran who survived the D-Day landings in 1940. Hymns on a theme of hope and reassurance come from around the UK. Archbishop designate Stephen Cottrell concludes the programme with a special prayer.

For Palm Sunday, Sean Fletcher visits Glasgow Cathedral to discuss Holy Week and hears how this historic building plays a prominent role in the Christian life of the city. Sean visits the Lodging House Mission, which has been helping homeless and disadvantaged citizens of Glasgow for over 100 years. He meets the staff and volunteers there, who put their Christian faith to work helping others, and learns about the holistic approach they take to their guests, which includes health care, dentistry and access to the digital world. Christian artist Iain Campbell discusses his latest project, a series of paintings of the gospel according to St Luke, and there are hymns for Palm Sunday from the congregation at Glasgow Cathedral, as well as a special performance by the Songs of Praise choir recorded in the Holy Land. This episode was recorded before the current lockdown.

Katherine Jenkins is in Birmingham to celebrate Easter Sunday, in an episode recorded before the current restrictions came into effect. She hears how a new church, St Luke’s Gas Street in the heart of Birmingham, has grown in just four years. She meets its leader, Tim Hughes, and a member of its young congregation whose life has been transformed by Christianity. Sean Fletcher talks to former Birmingham City footballer, now pastor, Ricky Otto and hears his story from prison to pitch to pulpit. Sean also learns the skills of making stained-glass windows with a father and son who have been doing it all their lives. With Easter songs and hymns from across the country and a special rendition of a hymn from St George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem.

This programme will be available shortly after broadcast Strawberry Field Songs of Praise In a programme filmed before the current restrictions, Aled Jones explores the theme of inclusion by visiting Strawberry Field in Liverpool to discover how the Salvation Army is putting faith into action and embracing its link to John Lennon, who played there as a child. When the Beatles released Strawberry Fields Forever in 1967, many assumed the lyric was simply the product of John Lennon’s imagination, but the song harked back to a place that was very special to Lennon’s childhood. Strawberry Field was a Salvation Army children’s home in Woolton, Liverpool, occupying a grand Victorian house with beautiful grounds. John lived with his Aunt Mimi around the corner and often used to jump over the walls to play in the gardens. It was a place of sanctuary for him. The children’s home closed in 2005, and the Salvation Army felt there was an opportunity to do something new and creative with the site, especially as 60,000 Beatles fans a year were turning up just to take photos by the iconic red gates. Last year they opened a new Strawberry Field centre – a training hub for young people with learning difficulties. There is also a visitor exhibition exploring the site’s links to John Lennon and gardens for spiritual reflection. Aled meets Salvation Army major Kathy Versfeld to hear more about the history of Strawberry Field and its famous visitor, and how the centre is now offering a Christian welcome and a place to reflect for the many visitors who come. Aled also meets trainees on the Strawberry Field 'steps to work' programme, which helps adults with learning difficulties to build skills and find work. Aled also meets Rev Alex Clare-Young, a young minister in the United Reformed Church, who believes part of his calling is to share his story as a transgender Christian. Alex talks openly about his journey from an unhappy childhood - he was told to leave his church as a t

Sean Fletcher introduces highlights of journeys Songs of Praise has made to ancient places of pilgrimage. He looks back at his own journey, walking barefoot across the sands, to the breathtaking abbey of Mont St Michel in northern France, where he discovered why it has been one of Europe’s most important sacred sites for well over 1,000 years. Further south in France, there’s another chance to see Kate Bottley joining the six million pilgrims who visit Lourdes each year. She learns more about the visions of the Virgin Mary that first began drawing people to the site in the 19th century and shares a special experience with a pilgrim who has come to bathe in the waters. Claire McCollum learns more about the spiritual significance of pilgrimage as she climbs Crough Patrick in western Ireland, and Pam Rhodes discovers the unique story of Walsingham – a place of deep spirituality for both Anglicans and Catholics. With wonderful hymns and songs recorded before the current restrictions, celebrating the theme of pilgrimage.

The Rev Kate Bottley looks back on some of Song of Praise’s most moving and uplifting stories from across the farming community. Kate has cream team with a bishop at one of the largest agricultural events in the UK, the Great Yorkshire Show. JB Gill finds out about a church set up in the middle of a farm, and Aled Jones has a go at duck herding. With hymns and worship songs to raise spirits and comfort the soul, including a special performance of a traditional blessing by soprano Margaret Keys. All recorded before the current closure of church buildings.

Katherine Jenkins marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, bishop of Dover, tells us about the role churches played in bringing people together to give thanks when peace was declared. We pay tribute to the forces sweetheart Helen Clare in an interview recorded in 2015, three years before she passed away, and there is another chance to find out how the code crackers at Bletchley Park helped to bring the war to an end. We revisit the Royal Hospital Chelsea to see the stunning chapel designed by Sir Christopher Wren and discover what life is like for the Chelsea pensioners who live there. There are performances from Katherine and Britain’s Got Talent winner and Chelsea pensioner Colin Thackery and hymns from around the country. Recorded before church buildings closed.

Aled Jones meets Songs of Praise conductor Ken Burton to discuss why, in times of difficulty and trouble, the singing of Christian hymns can lift our hearts and soothe our souls. We revisit Sean Fletcher’s meeting with Graham Kendrick, who talked about writing his generation-defining song Shine Jesus Shine in the 1980s. Aled also recalls Pam Rhodes’s meeting with Catholic hymnwriter Bernadette Farrell, and American singer-songwriter and Grammy-winner Michael W Smith reflects on his career and friendship with evangelist Billy Graham. Hymns from the recent Songs of Praise archive include Graham Kendrick’s Shine Jesus Shine, Bernadette Farrell’s Christ Be Our Light, and the contemporary classic In Christ Alone. Recorded before current restrictions.

Katherine Jenkins introduces uplifting stories of faith amidst spectacular scenery as she looks back to when Songs of Praise has explored islands around our beautiful coastline. She begins by looking back to her visit to Caldey Island off the coast near Tenby in south Wales. One of the monks there, Brother David, tells her about the rich Christian history of the island that stretches back over 1,400 years. She also discovers that one of the ways the present community of monks remain self-sufficient is by making their own chocolate – and Katherine happily volunteers to help out. There’s also another chance to see Aled Jones setting sail with Christian sailors off the coast of the Isle of Wight to find out why being out on the ocean brings them closer to God. Aled also looks back at his visit to the Isle of Sheppey off the coast of Kent, where he joined in with teenagers from the local high school as they showed Christian love in action at their award-winning dementia cafe. With great hymns and songs recorded before the current restrictions, including a rousing modern classic from the Isle of Wight proms and a spectacular performance from Katherine Jenkins of How Great Thou Art.

The Rev Kate Bottley celebrates Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the Church. The bishop of Dover, the Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, reveals the meaning and relevance of Pentecost, and we revisit stories that explore the themes of this special day, including transformation. JB Gill meets a tree surgeon who revealed how his faith helped him to overcome drug addiction. Kate visits Loch Leven in Kinross and finds out why the wild goose is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in Celtic Christianity, and there’s another opportunity to hear American jazz singer Gregory Porter talk about his faith and music. With hymns from around the country. Recorded before church buildings closed.

Sean Fletcher explores how music and faith can help us through the darkest of times, interviewing Bishop Dr Joe Aldred about the Christian response to the death of George Floyd in the USA. There’s another chance to see memorable stories of faith and music coming together from recent years, as Sean meets people from across the globe, all keen to learn more about gospel music. Julian Lloyd Webber discusses organ music with Sean at the Methodist Central Hall in London, and Kate Bottley meets a Welsh hospital chaplain who touches the lives of patients with dementia by singing Elvis hits. With hymns and songs from all over the UK, recorded before the current closure of church buildings.

Aled Jones is in Pains Hill Park in Surrey looking back at stories of people who find spiritual inspiration in the great outdoors, including the Christian couple Claire McCollum met last summer who take people for trips around the Yorkshire Dales on their motortrike to places including the stunning Jervaulx Abbey. There’s another chance to see Rev Kate Bottley raft-building with the group of young people at the YMCA’s National Centre Lakeside in Windermere. JB Gill takes to the water in a kayak with the minister who is spiritually inspired by the River Tay in Perthshire. We also explore the beauty of God’s creation through the lens of a group of photographers at the beautiful Eycott Hill Nature Reserve in Cumbria. Katherine Jenkins performs Make Me a Channel of Your Peace and there are hymns from around the country. Recorded before church buildings closed. Music O When the Saints, Isle of Wight For the Beauty of the Earth - Kendal Parish Church Give Me Joy in My Heart - Tenby Harbour I Found Jesus - Performed by Steph McLeod All Things Bright and Beautiful - St John the Baptist Church, Tideswell Make Me a Channel of Your Peace - Performed by Katherine Jenkins To God Be the Glory, Eastbourne

For Father’s Day, Sean Fletcher looks back on stories of inspirational dads and father figures putting their Christian love into action. He begins with the story of the London dad whose gift of a kidney saved his son’s life, and how their faith not only sustained them but inspired them to raise awareness about organ donation. There’s also another chance to see how a love of making music together cemented the bond of one father and son and took them all the way to a star appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, and JB Gill meets the Christian youth worker who has spent 58 years being a father figure to young people on the Isle of Sheppey. Sean also reflects on meeting a truly inspirational mother, Baroness Doreen Lawrence. In one of his most memorable Songs of Praise moments, Sean spoke to Doreen about her long fight for justice for her son Stephen, how it impacted her faith and about the hymn that has brought her comfort. With a mix of traditional and modern hymns from churches around the UK celebrating the love of God. Filmed before the Covid-19 lockdown.

Claire McCollum shares her love of her home of Northern Ireland by looking back on some of Songs of Praise’s best faith stories from across the region. She revisits the time she spent with a Christian geologist at the spectacular Giant’s Causeway, and when she met a former professional footballer who was called to the priesthood. There is also another chance to see when Katherine Jenkins found out about thriving faith in the historic Titanic Quarter in Belfast, and when JB Gill took to two wheels cycling in Antrim with a group of Christian bikers. With hymns, old and new, recorded across Northern Ireland before the current restrictions.

In the year of Florence Nightingale’s bicentenary and to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the NHS, Katherine Jenkins is in central London to pay tribute to all carers on the frontline. Outside St Thomas’ Hospital, where they celebrate pioneers like Florence Nightingale and her contemporary Mary Seacole, Katherine meets Christian nurses who have been caring for people with Covid-19 throughout the pandemic. She also meets the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who has been volunteering as a chaplain at St Thomas’ during lockdown. He speaks about the role of Christian faith at such a time of loss and uncertainty, and he reflects on the care NHS staff have given to patients, which he has witnessed first-hand. Speaking with Rev Mia Hilborn, head chaplain at St Thomas’, Katherine learns more about the extraordinary legacy of Florence Nightingale, born 200 years ago this year, and how her faith was central to all that she did. And Christian artist Sophie Hacker shows Katherine her design for a new Florence Nightingale window for Romsey Abbey, depicting the moment a young Florence felt God’s call. Rev Kate Bottley meets a young man in Manchester to pay tribute to his late mother, a nurse who died of Covid-19 in the hospital in which she worked. He tells Kate of his mother’s determination to serve others with Christian love and how his own faith is helping to keep him strong. James Lusted meets a Christian firefighter from north Wales who is now recovering from Covid-19 after many weeks in intensive care. He and his wife reflect on the care he received, the support of their church and the strength they took from knowing that people all around the world were praying for them. With hymns and songs from across the UK, including a very special new performance from Katherine Jenkins in tribute to the carers on the frontline. All filming was carried out in accordance with government guidelines and all congregational music was recorded before lock

From Leicester’s De Montfort Hall, Aled Jones counts down the UK's top ten favourite hymns as voted for by you. The ten hymns were recently chosen as the UK’s most popular by Songs of Praise viewers in an online vote and include three by living hymn-writers, each of whom takes part in the programme. But which one will be the UK’s favourite? A congregation of a thousand voices joins Aled, and there are special performances of hymns from all around the UK, including Katherine Jenkins and Wynne Evans singing in St. David’s Cathedral, Daniel O’ Donnell performing In Christ Alone on the coast of Northern Ireland, and Fairground Attraction’s Eddi Reader singing Amazing Grace on the coast of Scotland. The star of Hollywood blockbusters Black Panther and Venom, Sope Aluko, talks about her love of hymns and how much comfort she gains from them, and poet John Cooper Clarke and comedian Lloyd Griffith each talk about their own particular favourites.

Rev Kate Bottley visits Eyam in Derbyshire, where 355 years ago residents took the brave decision to lock down their village to prevent the spread of the bubonic plague, saving countless lives across the rest of northern England. Local historians Francine Clifford and Owen Roberts describe how this act of self-sacrifice was inspired by two rival clergymen in an act of unity. The current rector, Rev Mike Gilbert, explains how the church’s current activities have striking parallels with the past and reads the moving letter his 17th-century predecessor William Mompesson wrote after his wife’s death from the plague. In the city of Derby, Sean Fletcher meets Julio Abraham, whose charity, Derby City Mission, is at the forefront of helping the city’s homeless people in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Kate hears how recovered addict Sam is using faith and furniture-making to help redeem the lives of others. Hymns and songs, recorded before lockdown, come from St John the Baptist Church, Tideswell in Derbyshire, also known as the Cathedral of the Peak, as well as other UK churches.

Rev Kate Bottley is on Crosby Beach celebrating the 15th anniversary of the iron men sculptures created by artist Antony Gormley. Kate speaks to local Christians who have been inspired by the statues to create their own art works, including paintings, photography and performance. James Lusted meets one of the founding members of Crossbeats, a Liverpool-based band credited with helping to bring Contemporary Christian Music to the UK back in the 1960s. Kate travels just along the coast to Formby, hoping to see the rare red squirrel. She visits the prayer centre there, right in the heart of the National Trust conservation area. With worship music and hymns from across Merseyside and beyond, all recorded before the closure of church buildings.

Aled Jones visits the London Stadium to explore the links between Christianity and sport and looks back at the unforgettable moments of the 2012 Olympic Games that took place in the stadium. Paralympian Stef Reid takes Aled to the spot where she won silver in the 2012 games and gold in the 2017 World Championships. She tells Aled about the moment her life was changed for ever after a boating accident when she was just 15 and how her desperate cries to God in those times led to a deep Christian faith. Aled also meets Graham Daniels, a former professional footballer who is now the director of Christians in Sport. In the stadium, Graham reflects with Aled on the great memories of London 2012 and – in this summer when so many iconic competitions have had to be postponed – he explores why we love sport so much. Graham reveals how he works in the background at many major sporting events, supporting elite athletes as they strive to live out their Christian faith and their vocation as a sportsperson. JB Gill joins a training session at Watford Football Club to meet goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. He tells JB about growing up in poverty in Brazil and how his strong Christian faith is now leading him to swap the Premier League for the pulpit as he trains to become a pastor. And we hear how smaller football clubs are being effected by the current pandemic – we visit Cambridge United to hear about its Christian roots and how the club's unique role in the local community is helping it through this challenging times. With hymns old and new from across the UK, including some that have become favourites at great sporting occasions.

With brand new music performances filmed under government guidelines in July 2020, the Reverend Kate Bottley visits Coughton Court in Warwickshire to hear how the National Trust was founded by Christian social reformers 125 years ago. She also finds out about the site’s rich 600 year history as a family home, which sheltered persecuted Catholics during the 16th century Reformation. As many historic organisations, including the National Trust and the Church of England, examine their past links to slave traders, Gemma Hunt visits Bristol. She joins its Christian mayor Marvin Rees and Dr Madge Dresser of Bristol University to reflect on the city’s relationship with known slave trader Edward Colston. Also, award-winning young preacher Augustine Tanner-Ihm describes his journey from Chicago to the North East of England, and how an experience of rejection led him to preach about his own Christian faith in the context of diversity and inclusion. The programme’s brand new music performances include music from vocal ensemble Voces8, star singer Shaun Escoffery and male vocal quartet Tessera.

Claire McCollum visits Trentham Gardens in Staffordshire, discovering the rich religious history of this beautiful estate. She hears about Trentham’s connection with Saint Werburgh, who ran a convent on the site back in the seventh century. Claire finds out about the Two Saints Way, an ancient pilgrimage route through the Gardens, revived in recent years to help people connect with God through nature. We also speak to the couple running the parish church situated at the top of Trentham’s flower gardens, to find out how worship is still a huge part of life there today. Just south of the estate, Radzi Chinyanganya tries his hand at beekeeping with a vicar who has taken up the hobby as part of his calling to care for creation. And we meet the Christian sisters celebrating the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, when the Japanese surrender ended the Second World War. They talk about their father, who was a prisoner of war in the Far East and reveal how he organised the building of a church at the Chungkai camp, so that prisoners could worship together. The episode includes special performances recorded in Trentham Gardens from AMC Gospel Choir, the Salvation Army’s International Staff Songsters, and soprano singer Olivia Safe.

The Rev Kate Bottley visits the Salvation Army’s Hadleigh Farm in Essex to meet the staff and find out about the work of the farm in the past and the present. One thing Hadleigh has been doing during the current pandemic is food distribution, and we see that in action at a local corps in Basildon, where Lizette and Paul Williams hand out food to those who need it. Kate also meets Daniel Holland, an officer in the Salvation Army homelessness unit who has been working as a nurse on a Covid-19 ward. He ended up catching coronavirus but has now fully recovered. We find out about the challenges and rewards this experience has had on his faith. We talk to two members of the International Staff Songsters (ISS), the current conductor, Dorothy Nancekievill, and Lesley Nicholson, who is also a prison chaplain, about the effect music can have on audiences. Kate also joins Zena Österberg and her dance group to take part in Timbreltastic, a joyous combination of dance, music and praise. Plus music from congregations across the country, with hymns including Strength Will Rise and For the Beauty of the Lord, and the Salvation Army’s International Staff Songsters perform three hymns especially for us.

Aled Jones visits Blenheim Palace, home to the Duke of Marlborough, birthplace of Winston Churchill and an important World Heritage site. The sister of the current duke, Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, explains the history of this remarkable building and shows Aled the private chapel that means so much to her. One of the most impressive features of the interior of the palace is the Willis organ, and the resident organist, Andrew Patterson, demonstrates its particular sound. Blenheim’s estate director, Roy Cox, shows Aled some of the famous trees on the estate, including the Cedar of Lebanon, which appears in a Harry Potter film. Laura Wright joins Oxford's Soundabout Inclusive Choir for a virtual hymn singalong and to hear how being part of the choir helps those with learning disabilities. The Blenheim estate provides a stunning backdrop for this week's music, which was recorded especially for the programme. There are performances from Laura Wright, new all-female group Stellina, gospel choir IDMC and Aled Jones, who sings one of his favourite hymns, Be Still for the Presence of the Lord.

Claire McCollum visits the Eden Project in Cornwall, where founder Sir Tim Smit tells her how he created a garden paradise out of a clay pit. Claire speaks to one of the Eden Project’s gardeners to hear how she worships God whilst looking after the two million plants on site. An open-air theatre stages a socially distanced performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, a musical based on the New Testament gospels, and a Christian cast member shares what it means to be involved in a performance that explores the life and death of Jesus. JB Gill goes surfing with a man who came back to faith whilst catching waves, and who is now part of Christian Surfers UK – an organisation celebrating its 30th anniversary. We also visit a church in Newquay that has adapted its Sunday services during the pandemic by becoming England’s first drive-in church. With brand new music recorded at the Eden Project according to government guidelines, and congregational hymns captured before current restrictions.

Aled Jones is in Plymouth where 400 years ago, a group of Christians embarked on an epic journey across the Atlantic that changed American history – the voyage of the Mayflower. He hears stories of the intrepid Christians who braved dangerous seas and the challenges of the New World to fulfil their calling. Aled discovers how this remarkable voyage has left its mark on political and religious life on both sides of the Atlantic. In search of the pilgrim travellers’ roots, Kate Bottley travels to Nottinghamshire to meet a living relative of William Brewster, one of the elders of the group and finds out all about his motivation. There are musical performances from Plymouth, featuring local folk musician Seth Lakeman and tenor Russell Watson, as well as congregational singing from across the UK, recorded before the current restrictions were put in place.

The Rev Kate Bottley marks Harvest by visiting a Christian-run farm in Saddleworth, on the Yorkshire Lancashire border. She meets curate Aaron Moffat-Jackman and his wife Gemma, who quite literally tend to their flock - they have sheep on a field next to their church and use their farm to educate others about looking after God’s creation. In her first appearance on Songs of Praise as a presenter, Katie Piper visits a farm in Carmarthenshire to meet Eileen Davis, an archdeacon in the Church in Wales, who has been inspired by her faith to set up a helpline for other farmers who are finding it difficult to cope. In the urban district of Trafford in Manchester, The Rev John Hughes explains how his church has become a hub for green-fingered enthusiasts who are growing their own food, and as a result are making friends which cross faith boundaries. Hymns and songs from across the country reflect the Harvest theme, including several from The Priory, Little Wymondley in Hertfordshire, recorded before lockdown.

Claire McCollum explores the beautiful Victorian village of Saltaire near Bradford in Yorkshire, now a Unesco World Heritage site. The vision of Christian industrialist Sir Titus Salt, and built to house the workers for his enormous textile mill, Saltaire was famous around the world when it was completed. Although the concept of providing accommodation for workers was not new, the scale and high standard of Saltaire was groundbreaking, with 850 high-quality houses alongside shops, schools, recreational facilities and a beautiful church, all built in the shadow of the mill. In the company of historian John Styles, who was born in Saltaire, Claire explores Salts Mill – one of the largest buildings in the world when completed – and discovers that Titus Salt was strongly motivated by his Christian faith in providing so generously for his workers. She also explores what many call the centrepiece of Saltaire, the Grade-I listed church that Titus Salt built in a beautiful Italianate style. The church was damaged in recent storms, and Claire meets the Christian architect in charge of the restoration and a member of the current congregation who has been kneeling in prayer outside the church each week since it closed for lockdown. In nearby Wakefield, Claire explores the fascinating diary that is challenging perceptions about Christian attitudes in the 19th century. Written in 1810 by a Yorkshire farmer, the journal offers surprising insights into life at that time, and most striking is a passage that offers a sympathetic view of homosexuality from a Christian perspective. Back in Saltaire, Radzi Chinyanganya joins a Bradford break-dancing crew, who are throwing moves in the spectacular open spaces inside Salts Mill. As well as learning a few steps, Radzi discovers how the crew see their dancing as a gift from God that can have a huge impact on all who take part.

The Rev Kate Bottley goes on a very personal journey across Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire to share the story of her Christian faith through the people, places and music that have shaped and inspired her. Kate begins by returning for the first time to the church in Sheffield where she was baptised as a baby. She shares her firm belief that God had his hand on her life from that point on, even though faith was not part of her childhood and it would be years before she set foot in a church again. She then meets the school friend who first invited her to a church youth club, and together they recall the day a teenage Kate became a Christian and decided to share her excitement with the whole school! Back at her old university in Leeds, Kate gets her boots on to meet up with her old rugby teammates and reflects on the friendships forged on the pitch and in the chapel. She then travels to the beautiful Southwell Minster in Nottinghamshire. It was here Kate was ordained as a priest 11 years ago, and she reflects on her calling to the priesthood and discovers what she was really like a young curate when she meets up with the priest in charge of her first parish. And we discover how a surprise dance routine at a wedding where Kate was officiating turned into a viral video and changed Kate’s life completely. It was the moment that began the newest chapter in Kate’s faith journey, in the world of television and radio. As we go behind the scenes at BBC Radio 2, Kate reflects on the experiences of the last few years, hearing other people’s faith stories and striving to share the love of God over the airwaves. With favourite hymns and songs all chosen by Kate for the special meaning they hold for her family and her ministry.

Claire McCollum is in the Clink restaurant in Styal near Manchester, where inmates from the nearby prison are being given the chance of a fresh start in life by being trained in a fine dining restaurant. Pam Rhodes meets former politician, now ordained priest, Jonathan Aitken in London to hear about his journey from prison to the pulpit. At Lambeth Palace, Pam finds out about the Church of England’s free Daily Hope phone service, now also available in prisons across the country. As the Bishop of Dover, the Rt Rev Rose Hudson Wilkin, calls for a change in attitudes towards asylum seekers, we meet the Christian charities helping refugees on the south coast. With congregational singing recorded before the current restrictions, as well as specially recorded hymns from singer Mary Jess and vocal ensemble Tessera.

Aled Jones visits Cheddar Gorge in Somerset to hear the origins of the hymn Rock of Ages, inspired by a rock set into the striking local landscape. He also travels to Devon to explore the Beer Quarry caves, stone from which has been used in cathedral and church buildings across Britain. At Cheddar Baptist Church, Aled reflects on faith in God with lifelong member Barbara Merrick, who has been attending the church for 77 years. With new music specially recorded under current guidelines, we hear songs from worship leaders Martin Smith and Christian group Bright City, both of whom are from Brighton. Gemma Hunt meets them there and finds out how their Christian faith inspires their songwriting.

For Black History Month, guest presenter Mark De-Lisser visits the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. He meets the director, Dr Richard Benjamin, to find out about Britain’s involvement in the slave trade and the role the church played at the time. Mark meets the museum’s historian-in-residence, Laurence Westgaph, to hear about his ambition to create what could become the country’s first memorial to the enslaved. The rector of Liverpool, Rev Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, shares why he is passionate about offering the grounds of St Nicholas’ Church, which was once the city’s main burial ground, as a home for the memorial. Classical pianist Alexis Ffrench tells YolanDa Brown about his love of music and how he felt as a child being Britain’s youngest black church organist. We also have a special performance of Alexis’s own composition inspired by the faith poem Footprints in the Sand. The daughter of Christian peacemaker Nelson Mandela shares what she feels her father would have thought about the Liverpool garden being built in his honour, and we hear about the vision for the garden from two members of the community, Sonia Bassey and Stephen Nze, who help run the charity behind the project, Mandela8. Music comes from across the UK, including poignant hymns written during the period of the slave trade, including Wade in the Water and Amazing Grace.

Claire McCollum is in Dundee, where the River Tay meets the North Sea. It’s the first time Claire has returned to the city since studying at the university, and she takes in the sights, both old and new, from the top of the hill known as Dundee Law. She discovers why Dundee has historically been famous for textiles, confectionery and publishing – jute, jam and journalism! - and also finds out about its religious history and how Dundee played a crucial role in the Scottish Reformation.

For Remembrance Sunday Aled Jones visits the Brecon Beacons in Wales, where the British military has trained since World War Two. Aled meets Jules Hudson, broadcaster and military historian, to find out about Brecon’s military connections including being the home of The Royal Welsh. We mark the 25th anniversary of The Disability Discrimination Act and the impact it has had on the lives of many members of the armed forces as well as civilians in the UK over the last two and a half decades. James Lusted finds out more from a charity called the Soldiers’ Arts Academy that works with servicemen and women who have been injured whilst serving their country. James speaks to christian Maurillia Simpson who served in Iraq but retired from the army due to injury. She shares her story of finding peace through the medium of singing and her faith. We celebrate 150 years of the British Red Cross by meeting one of its longest serving volunteers who felt called to start helping with the charity during World War Two, when she was just seven years old. And Aled Jones is reunited with D-day veteran Harry Billinge, who featured in the Songs of Praise episode to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in 2019. Harry tells Aled about receiving his MBE from the Queen for services of charitable fundraising and reveals his reflections about Remembrance Sunday. With brand new music performances including from military veterans and hymns to mark Remembrance.

Aled Jones is back on home turf in north Wales as he takes a journey exploring how his faith has shaped his life and his singing. He catches up with some old friends on the journey, including composer Howard Goodall and the Rev Canon Mark Oakley, sings a couple of songs that are special to him and picks his favourite hymns for the programme, including Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah and How Great Thou Art.

From Gorton Monastery in Manchester, Katherine Jenkins launches the very first joint Songs of Praise and Radio 2 competition to find the BBC Young Chorister of the Year. Chosen from hundreds of entries, five talented girl choristers hope to to impress expert judges John Rutter, Laura Wright and Carl Jackson, and go through to the final.

Aled Jones presents the boys' semi-final of the BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition from Gorton Monastery in Manchester. Five of the best boy choristers in the UK compete to impress judges John Rutter, Laura Wright and Carl Jackson and win one of three remaining places in the final.

The Rev Kate Bottley presents the final of the very first joint Songs of Praise and Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year competition. As it is the second Sunday of Advent, six of the best girl and boy choristers in the UK perform their chosen Christmas carols or songs for judges John Rutter, Laura Wright and Carl Jackson before one is crowned 2020 champion. The programme includes a performance of O Holy Night by Aled Jones, Katherine Jenkins and all the finalists.

The Rev Kate Bottley visits Thursford in Norfolk to experience a Christmas light show - a four-acre lantern extravaganza. She visits the local church to light the Advent wreath and discuss the meaning behind Gaudete Sunday. Following the service in St Paul’s Cathedral earlier this week, remembering those who have lost their lives as a result of Covid-19, Kate meets a family facing a Christmas like no other. Katie Piper visits a church in north London where their Christmas angel hampers are bringing some festive cheer to families in need. Featuring favourite Christmas carols with performances from Collabro, Marisha Wallace and opera star Andrea Bocelli.

From the glorious surroundings of St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Aled Jones counts down the top ten carols, as voted for by viewers in a UK wide online poll. With an array of star guests including Sir Cliff Richard, Katherine Jenkins, the Kingdom Choir, The Priests, the Choir of St Paul’s and one of the finest voices in the world, Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli. A panel of carol enthusiasts, including Gareth Malone, Karen Gibson, the Director of Music at St Pauls, Mark De Lisser and Pam Rhodes, reveal their favourites as well as some of the fascinating histories behind some of the UK’s best loved carols.

Renowned choir director and vocal coach Mark De-Lisser joins soul legend Mica Paris as she shares her journey of faith. It’s a story that took Mica from a childhood in church, through fame and fortune, love and loss and ultimately back to gospel music. Mica takes Mark to the Pentecostal church in south London where her grandparents were pastors and where, as a child, she spent time every day of the week. She recalls those happy years when she discovered her gift of singing, quickly becoming a child sensation and touring churches all over the UK. With her sister Alysha, Mica speaks about the strength of their family unit. The sisters speak movingly about the loss of their brother, who was murdered in 2001, and how their faith and the power of prayer helped them through.