The Student Christian Movement (SCM) have reacted with anger to plans to lift the cap on university tuition fees in England. SCM, which is Britain’s oldest national student organisation, described its opposition to tuition fees as ‘an issue of justice’. SCM said a fee increase would deter students from lower-income backgrounds. They also contrasted ministers’ reluctance to fund higher education with government plans to spend billions renewing the Trident nuclear weapons system. The Movement’s comments follow the Browne Review into higher education funding, which recommended on 12 October that universities should be able to charge unlimited fees. Business Secretary Vince Cable said the government accepts the ‘main thrust’ of the proposals. The Coalition agreement allows Liberal Democrats to abstain in votes on university funding, but some have already said that they will vote against, raising the prospect of a defeat for the Government. The party's Deputy Leader, Simon Hughes, declined to confirm that he will abstain. Pray: that the conflict of finance versus educational opportunity is resolved amicably. (Mt. 18:1-14)
Christian students and 'Prayers of Freedom'
31 Oct 2010
Over 200 people from all over the world gathered in Manchester Cathedral over the weekend for a candlelit Taizé service, as the Student Christian Movement (SCM) celebrates a growth in interest among students. The service on Saturday 23 October 2010 was the highlight of the 'Prayers of Freedom' weekend organised by SCM and the Taizé Community, which brought together students and young adults from more than twelve different countries, many of them studying in Britain. The success of the 'Prayers of Freedom' event is the latest indication of a growing interest amongst students in a Christian faith that links spirituality, prayer and action for social justice, says SCM. The SCM conference in February 2010 saw the highest turnout for 20 years, and organisers of the 2011 conference, which will take place from 4-6 February, are hoping for the highest turnout since the 1970s. Pray: for the student community and the SCM that many more will respond to the Gospel message. (Ps.119:9)
Christian street preacher arrested in Scotland
28 Sep 2013A Christian street preacher was arrested in Perth on Wednesday for ‘breach of the peace’. The Reverend Josh Williamson, pastor of Craigie Reformed Baptist Church, is the third Christian street preacher to be arrested in the UK since July. The Christian Legal Centre, which reported his arrest, said the trend pointed to ‘an increasing hostility towards Christianity’. Mr Williamson, who regularly takes to the streets to hand out Christian flyers and engage in open air preaching, was arrested whilst addressing a crowd on one of the main streets in Perth. The arresting police officer told him he was breaking the law by being in ‘breach of the peace’. When asked to explain further, the officer contended that the MP3 recorder Mr Williamson was using was too loud. A second man, who spoke up in defence of Mr Williamson's right to preach was also arrested at the scene. (See Prayer Alert 28-2013, 31-2013, 37-2023)
Pray: that the authorities will issue clear guidance over freedom of speech. (Ps.58:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.street.preacher.arrested.in.scotland/34071.htm
A church minister in Scotland has been arrested for the second time in a week while street preaching. The Rev Josh Williamson was arrested last week for ‘breach of the peace’ and again on Saturday in relation to the same charge. Both arrests occurred while he was preaching on Perth High Street. After his arrest on Saturday, he was to be held in custody until Monday but was instead released at 9.30pm on Saturday evening after being held for over five hours in the cells. Mr Williamson said that although he had been released, he was unsure as to whether this was the end of police action against him. ‘It is hard to tell you what is going to happen as we don't know,’ he told ChristianToday.com. ‘At this stage I have been released while the police assess if they will charge me. I just have to wait to see what happens.’ (See also Prayer Alert 39; 37; 31 & 28-2013)
Pray: for Mr Williamson and other street preachers that they will continue to stand up against pressure from the authorities. (1Cor.9:18)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.street.preacher.arrested.again.in.scotland/34157.htm
A Christian worker who was dismissed from her job at Heathrow Airport has been granted permission to challenge a ruling by an employment tribunal which left her without any rights under employment law. Last year, an Employment Tribunal found that Nohad Halawi was not technically employed, so she had no protection under employment law, despite the fact she had worked at Heathrow for 13 years. But the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London has allowed this decision to be appealed. Mrs Halawi worked at a duty free shop at Heathrow Terminal 3. But management took away her ‘airside pass’ – meaning she was unable to continue working at the airport – after Muslim colleagues made unsubstantiated complaints about her conduct. Mrs Halawi had stood up for a Christian colleague who was being harassed by Islamist staff and complained to management over personal abuse and harassment from Islamist staff members over her Christian faith.
Pray: for Mrs. Halawi and that at her next hearing the Employment Appeal Tribunal will agree that she was employed and deserves the protection of the law. . (Ps.145:18)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/employment/christian-woman-sacked-after-islamist-harassment-granted-application-to-appe
Christian sacked after abortion leaflet row
16 Jun 2011
Margaret Forrester discussed the booklet with family planning staff at the health centre where she worked because she felt that the NHS was failing to give patients information about the risks and other options to terminating a pregnancy. But after a six-month disciplinary process, during which Ms Forrester had to fight her own case and became ill, she was found guilty of ‘gross professional misconduct’ and fired. She has spoken out over the ‘scandal’ of the pro-abortion culture in the medical profession and claimed that Christians were ‘an easy target’ for ‘politically correct’ bureaucrats in the NHS. ‘The NHS has a pro-abortion stance which comes from a secular religion. It is a belief system which is aggressively anti-Christian,’ she said. Ms Forrester’s difficulties began on Nov 2 last year, when she had an informal conversation with a colleague in her role as a psychological wellbeing practitioner in Westminster, central London.
Pray: for Margaret and that those in the NHS who have responsibility for advising those seeking an abortion will adopt a more balanced view. (Dt.30:19)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8569283/Christian-sacked-after-abortion-leaflet-row.html
Christian radio ad ban decision can be appealed
20 Aug 2012A Christian radio station has been given the go-ahead to appeal a court decision which upheld a ban on an advert asking Christians whether they are being sidelined at work. In its decision to grant the appeal, the court said the radio station’s case is ‘Arguable and important’. Premier Christian Radio had criticised the decision in April this year as ‘reminiscent of a totalitarian state’. The Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC) stopped it from being aired, claiming that it was ‘directed to a political end’. But lawyers for Premier said: ‘The advertisement was not a political message but a request for information which could then be used as part of the normal democratic process, where ideas and views are expressed in public discussion, contradicted, answered and debated.’ The ad quoted surveys showing that 60 per cent of active Christians were being increasingly marginalised at work.
Pray: for this case when it is heard at the Appeal Court as it underlines the erosion of free speech of faith groups. (2Co.10:5)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-radio-ad-ban-decision-can-be-appealed/
The Christian owner of a printing firm in Northern Ireland faces being hauled to court over his refusal to print a gay magazine. Nick Williamson, who is being advised by The Christian Institute, says printing the material would go against his religious beliefs. But the editor of MyGayZine, Danny Toner, has approached a solicitor and referred the matter to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. Mr Williamson was asked to provide a cost estimate for printing the magazine, timed to coincide with a gay rights march in Belfast. But in an email to Mr Toner, Mr Williamson said he did “not feel comfortable” taking the job on because it “would be in contradiction to my own faith”. Mr Williamson had initially explained: “Unfortunately due to the nature of the magazine we are unable to give a quote.” But Mr Toner said “If we can take the printer to court, we will”.
Pray: for understanding and respect of each others views that will resolve this matter without litigation. (Ro.8:7)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-printer-faces-being-sued-by-gay-magazine/