Ed Miliband tells the Evening Standard today that Labour will give ‘wholehearted’ backing to gay marriage and says that churches and religious bodies should be allowed to conduct these ceremonies. At the same time Labour has let it be known to the Standard that the party is ‘highly likely’ to impose a three-line whip on the gay marriage bill, though it can’t say so for certain until it knows the wording. Same as the Lib Dems, then, but unlike the Tories, who are allowing a free vote. As Mr Miliband says, ‘I think whether you’re gay or straight, you should be able to signify your commitment, your love, with the term ‘marriage’.
Pray: for the Labour Party to allow its MPs a free vote on this important matter. (2Co.1:12)
The Methodist Central Hall in Westminster last week saw hustings where every candidate presented themselves as motivated by firm convictions. David Miliband explained, ‘I'm not a religious person but actually I'm a person of faith’ and that the Labour Party can learn from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. His brother Ed said hehad learnt ‘not a religious faith but a simple faith’ that ‘if you saw an injustice then you had to do something about it’. Andy Burnham, a Roman Catholic, emphasised the Christian origins of his politics insisting that ‘the basic tenets of the Labour Party and socialism are one and the same with those of Christianity’. Ed Balls had positive early memories of his parents' Anglican church and that his father's commitment to Labour had grown out of Christianity. Diane Abbott emphasised the values with which she had been brought up, saying ‘We could do worse than return to those values of faith, community and family’. Pray: for these candidates that they might gain a true understanding of Christian faith. (Jas.2:14)
Home-made knives were found hidden under prison prayer mats after an inmate was stabbed in a jail war. Officers discovered 13 razor-sharp weapons following a brawl between Muslim gangs. A young man was knifed in the back in what is believed to have been revenge for another stabbing at Swaleside Prison in Kent. A source said: ‘There is a battle for power going on between Muslim gangs at the prison. There could easily have been serious injuries or deaths and the level of violence is terrifying.’ The category B jail on the Isle of Sheppey holds 1,112 inmates, including a large population of Muslim prisoners. Staff have to hold two sets of Friday Prayers - at the chapel and an overflow in the Multi Faith Room where the attack took place. Glyn Travis, of the Prison Officers’ Association, said: 'This is a worrying escalation. The number of weapons recovered is unprecedented and shows a determination to cause violence.’
Pray: for the safety of all the staff and prisoners alike. Pray against violence and gang culture. (Ps.122:7)
More: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/thirteen-home-made-knives-found-hidden-2844154
Kirk urged to act to end Gaza 'scandal'
25 May 2012The churches should act together to get the British government to act for an end to the Israeli blockade on Gaza, the Kirk Assembly has agreed. The vote came in response to an amendment to a motion at the Church of Scotland's governing body meeting in Edinburgh. The need for the Kirk's Church and Society Council to work in cooperation with the World Mission Council and UK ecumenical partners to this end was proposed by the Moderator of the General Assembly of theChurch of Scotland, the Rt Rev John Arnott. He spoke of his own direct experience in the territory of Gaza and the sufferings of its people, following Operation Cast Lead and other subsequent developments. ‘Lives are still being wasted, oppression is still happening and children are still dying,’ he declared with quiet passion.
Pray: the Kirk would engage successfully on behalf of the Church in the national, political and social issues affecting Scotland and the world today. (Jas.2:24)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16668
Kirk minister urges more action on homelessness
31 Dec 2011Homelessness kills, yet it seems like the world is still walking on by while it happens, says a senior Church of Scotland minister. On average a homeless person dies 30 years before their neighbours and while that statistic is shocking, it is no surprise, writes Rev Ian Galloway, Convener of the Kirk’s Church and Society Council, in his regular blog. Mr Galloway declares: ‘It’s not just the lack of a roof – it’s the lack of purpose, identity, place and belonging that grinds down the souls of those who have nowhere to lay their heads each evening. Homelessness kills and it seems like the world is still walking on
by.’ Mr Galloway writes: ‘It is not just beds, food and a roof we need to find that will cost a lot but when human lives are at stake, it seems a small price to pay.’
Pray: that the homeless will find purpose and identity in Christ. (1.Cor.4:11)
Church of Scotland has said that they may have to stop conducting wedding ceremonies if plans to redefine marriage go ahead. A representative from the Kirk told the Equal Opportunities Committee that the prospect of “years of exhausting legal challenge” is “very concerning”. Revd Alan Hamilton of the Church of Scotland Legal Questions committee said the Kirk’s General Assembly had asked him to look into whether it is worth them continuing to offer marriages in Scotland. He said they are, “concerned that this is an invitation to take religious bodies in particular through the court system”. He added: “It gives us considerable problems internally and we’re deeply concerned about the threat externally.” MSPs were warned about churches being challenged through the Equality Act and the European Convention on Human Rights. This follows a statement in July saying that Sikh temples have been advised to halt all civil marriage ceremonies on their premises to protect them from possible legal challenges for refusing to conduct same-sex weddings.
Pray: for all faiths groups to be able to be free to conduct marriages according to their beliefs and not feel pressured to abandon marriage services. (Ps.25:21)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/kirk-claims-it-may-stop-weddings-over-gay-marriage-2/
Key Families Conference held
07 Jul 2011The World Congress of Families hosted a key conference on 29 June 2011. The conference, ‘The Future of the Family in Coalition Britain’, was held to help identify the causes of family breakdown in the UK and present possible solutions. The event was sponsored by Christian Concern and was opened by Bishop Michael Nazir Ali emphasising the need to restore the ‘public doctrine of marriage’, stating that the nuclear family was both a ‘natural’ and ‘normative’ form of family, not only beneficial to children but to society as a whole. A number of factors that have contributed to family breakdown were identified. These include ‘No-fault’ divorces, cohabitation, failure to recognise marriage as distinct in the tax system and sexualisation of teenagers. Stewart Jackson MP emphasised that public policy should strengthen as opposed to weaken marriage.
Pray: for political policy makers at all levels to recognise the importance of marriage in a stable, well-functioning society. (Heb.13:4)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/key-families-conference-held
Kate Middleton's confirmed belief
21 Apr 2011
There was no pressure for Kate Middleton to get confirmed - she did it because she wanted to. Confirmation is a public declaration of a Christian faith, so for once it is possible to talk about something Kate Middleton has done without having to rely on ‘friends’ and ‘palace insiders’. The latest generation of royals seem openly less religious than their parents. But this is evidence that Kate's confirmation really means something to her, rather than the contrary. She didn't have to do it, and seems quite capable of resisting any pressure to conform/confirm from those around her. It's not a big story - young woman indicates that she believes in God - but intensely irritating to those who tend to lump all their authority hate-figures together, especially if Kate continues to develop into a role model. Pray: for Kate as she declares her faith, enters into marriage and starts what will be a demanding public life. (1Co.16:3 ) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2011/apr/14/kate-middleton-confirmed