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At least ten Primates from the Global South are now expected to boycott the Primates’ Meeting in Dublin in January. Five African Primates, members of the GAFCON Primates’ Council (See http://www.gafcon.org/ ) confirmed that they would not attend the two-yearly meeting. In addition, it is understood that the Primate of South-East Asia, the Primate in Jerusalem & the Middle East, and the Primate of the Indian Ocean, will not go to Dublin. Furthermore it is expected that two new Primates, Primate of the Southern Cone, and the Primate of Rwanda, will also boycott the meeting. Five further Primates, from West Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya — say they ‘join with other Primates from the Global South in declaring that we will not be present’. They acknowledge the Anglican Covenant is ‘well-intentioned’ but say they ‘have come to the conclusion the current text is fatally flawed’. In response, Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, said: ‘The decision whether to come remains a matter for the Primates’.
Pray: for the Anglican Covenant to succeed in representing the broadest sense of Anglicanism. (1Co.13:1)
A campaign to lobby FTSE 100 companies to adopt the Living Wage has been backed by the Methodist Church and its Central Finance Board. The Living Wage is the minimum hourly wage necessary for an individual to meet their basic needs, including shelter, clothing and nutrition. Revd Alison Tomlin, President of the Methodist Conference, will publicly endorse the launch of the FairPensions campaign at Methodist Central Hall on May 2, with more than 2,000 people expected to attend. Revd Tomlin said: ‘The Living Wage is about treating people with dignity and respect; it is about recognising our value as individuals, as human beings. It is absurd to pay people a wage that will never allow them to meet their needs. The majority of those living in poverty are in working households and this kind of practice keeps people in poverty. FTSE 100 companies should lead the way in bringing about fair wages for all who work.’
Pray: for a positive outcome for the FairPensions campaign. (Dt.15:7)
More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=502
The number of pensioners dying from hypothermia has nearly doubled in five years, a period when a succession of cold winters has been coupled with drastic rises in energy bills. The official figures emerged after several days of Arctic conditions which drove temperatures across the whole country as low as minus 10C (14F). They showed that 1,876 patients were treated in hospital for hypothermia. The number of sufferers who died within 30 days of admission shot up from 135 to 260. Three-quarters of victims were pensioners, with cases soaring more than any other age group. The increasing toll of hypothermia over the past five years coincides with a surge in energy costs, especially gas prices which have gone up by 40 per cent. The row over energy prices is poised to be reignited later this month when the 'big six' energy companies reveal their latest profit figures. Campaign groups said yesterday it was 'scandalous' that pensioners in modern Britain could be suffering from hypothermia.
Pray: for effective support for the most vulnerable during the very cold weather. (Jas.2:16)
More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2100232/Frozen-death-fuel-bills-soar-Hypothermia-cases-elderly-double-years.html
A teacher training pack, supported by a Government agency, says boys in primary schools should be encouraged to try on dresses or dance with pompoms in the cheerleading team. The pack is produced by Stonewall, Britain’s top homosexual lobby group, and has been sent to primary schools. An accompanying DVD, backed by the Teacher Development Agency (TDA), features primary school teachers giving ‘best practice’ tips from their own experience. One head teacher says pupils should be taught to be resilient to the values of their parents and grandparents. According to the Mail on Sunday, Stonewall received a £25,000 grant from the TDA, a Government agency. In addition, officials at the DfE are consulting with Stonewall on the Government’s current review of sex education guidance. The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge said: ‘Perhaps the most disturbing thing is teaching children to resist the values of their parents and grandparents.’ Pray: for recognition by the Government that such widely imposed curriculum changes, without parental consultation is a step too far. (Dt.5:16) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/video-frocks-and-pompoms-for-primary-school-boys/
Over the past year we have been praying for Nadia Eweida, Shirley Chaplin, Lilian Ladele and Gary McFarlane as they took freedom of religion cases to the European Court of Human Rights. Last Tuesday three of the cases finally reached the end of the road when the EHCR's Grand Chamber rejected the appeals. When the cases had previously been heard in January Nadia’s (which involved the wearing of a cross in the workplace) was successful. The other three were rejected. Their lawyers decided to apply for a hearing by the Grand Chamber, but the judges have now rejected the requests. These rulings indicate that some of the religious foundations of our society are being replaced by an academic belief in equality for all where religion is put on an equal footing with a variety of sections of British society. Christian belief no longer defines the law, but instead is increasingly subject to it.
Pray: that commerce, industry and governments would cease using ‘equality’ in a self-important way. (Ex.20:3,4)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/grand-chamber-rejects-christians-cases
dedicated helpline for older people across the UK has been launched by Esther Rantzen. 'The Silver Line' aims to combat loneliness in the over-65s by providing friendship, information and advice through calls to trained volunteers. Ms Rantzen said she hoped the phone line number, 0800 4 70 80 90, would be remembered by all older people when they needed friendship or advice. The phone line is funded by a £5m grant from the Big Lottery Fund. The Department of Health has said that loneliness causes serious physical and mental damage. More than half of the UK's over-75s live alone. ‘We will signpost them to the services in their community and, by showing them we value them and care about them, we will restore their confidence and feelings of self worth' says Ms. Rantzen.
Pray: for the success of this initiative that it will meet the needs of those in this sector. (Is.58:10)
A delegation of Church leaders and representatives from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church, the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers),The Salvation Army and the United Reformed Church will attend the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences in September and October. The Free Church delegation is urging Christians to pray for all politicians during the party conference season as they debate the challenging financial and social problems being experienced both in the UK and abroad. The delegation will be hosting prayer breakfasts with other Christian groups at all three conferences, which local Christians in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester are encouraged to attend. During their visits to the party conferences, the delegation will have opportunities to meet with politicians and raise topics like poverty and inequality, the Big Society and wellbeing. They will also be raising issues that appear to have fallen off the news agenda, like the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons and climate change.
Pray: for leaders and delegates as they debate and formulate party policies. (Tit.2:6)
The Church of England has criticised "blanket opposition" to fracking and called for a debate that takes the poor and less costly energy sources into consideration. In a statement on the issue, the Church said it did not have an official policy on hydraulic fracturing but suggested the pros and cons needed to be viewed through a wider lens. In particular, the Church suggested fracking could alleviate fuel poverty and the suffering of the poor. The Chair of the Church of England's group on Mission and Public Affairs, Philip Fletcher said "Fuel poverty is an increasingly urgent issue for many in society - the impact on energy bills is felt most by the least well off. Blanket opposition to further exploration for new sources of fuel fails to take into account those who suffer most when resources are scarce." However, the Church said that fracking should be properly regulated and steps taken to minimise the risks.
Pray: for a fair and balanced debate on the pros and cons of fracking that avoids melodramatic misinformation so that the nation can make an informed judgement. (Job 28:12)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/fracking.could.alleviate.suffering.of.poor.people.says.church/33614.htm
A Christian couple from Blackburn, have had their application to be foster parents terminated by the Council because of their orthodox Christian beliefs on marriage and their belief that the best environment in which to raise a child is with a mother and a father. Rev John Yallop and his wife Colette had told Lancashire Council that they were Christians but had been assured that they were still welcome to apply as foster parents. However, during the process problems arose when the Council asked them whether they would have any objections to prospective homosexual adoptive parents coming into their home for the ‘hand over’ process which normally involves a number of visits. The Yallops proposed that any meetings with prospective homosexual adoptive parents should take place at a children’s centre. Due to this request, the Council has now terminated their application. Pray: for the Council to reconsider their own prejudiced and excluding view on this matter. (1Co.16:13-14) More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/foster.parents.rejected.over.christian.beliefs/26463.htm
Giving blood and living on a fiver are just some of the Lent challenges from Christian charity Stewardship. Its 40acts initiative kicks off on Wednesday and will challenge people to do something generous each day during Lent. 40acts is now in its third year and rather than giving something up, invites people to "give something out". The actions are simple but involve some personal sacrifice, with becoming a mentor among the other challenges. In addition to each challenge, there are daily reflections from contributors like Krish Kandiah, Rob Parsons and Russ Bravo. “The idea behind 40acts is simple,” says Debbie Wright, head of content at Stewardship. “Lent marks a pivotal point in the history of the church, when Jesus prepared to give himself up as a sacrifice for all mankind. Traditionally we mark Lent by giving something up, but what if it could be more than that? What if Lent was a preparation for a lifetime of big-heartedness?”
Pray: for this initiative and that many people will find it to be a good way to mark Lent. (Ac.20:35)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/forty.acts.of.generosity.to.change.the.world/31616.htm