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The 2011 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity marks the beginning of an encouraging year for the ecumenical movement in Britain, the Student Christian Movement (SCM) said today (11 January). They revealed that they are expecting another record turn-out for their annual conference, which will involve an ecumenical exploration of prayer, and the links between prayer and action. The Week of Prayer will run from 18-25 January and is closely followed by SCM’s Annual Conference, Still Small Voice, which runs over the weekend of 4-6 February at the Swanwick conference centre in Derbyshire. ‘We are really encouraged by the revival of interest in inclusive, ecumenical Christianity,’ said Jenny Morgans, chair of SCM's student council. ‘Over the past year we have had requests for advice and support from students keen to establish ecumenical student groups,’ explained Morgans, ‘conference is a great opportunity for students from different backgrounds to meet and explore their faith together’ Praise: God for the work of the SCM and the message of unity. (Ro.12:4-5)
Alexander’s first experience with a shaman, a Siberian witch doctor, left him wanting to go deeper into this realm. ‘I saved money to become a shaman and eventually became powerful in the community,’ he recalls. Then he received an unexpected invitation. ‘Some Christians invited me to church and I went so I could spy on their God.’ He entered the church, believing the gods he served were much more powerful than the Christian God. But as Alexander sat back in the wooden pew, something unusual happened. ‘When I closed my eyes I felt God’s presence,’ he says. ‘It was so strong; I was overwhelmed by its greatness.’ Unable to resist the majesty and power of the one true living God, Alexander surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and was born again. ‘I have now begun to work with missionaries here in Russia,’ Alexander says. ‘I help others learn what Jesus did for me.’
Praise: God for the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Alexander. (Lk.12:12)
More: http://blog.godreports.com/2013/04/shaman-in-eastern-russia-found-jesus/
A 20-year-old Christian mobile phone shop manager in Florida stopped a would-be armed robber by preaching to him about Jesus. Nayara Goncalves spent nearly five minutes persuading the man that he was doing the wrong thing. The man eventually apologised, explained his gun was a replica and left the shop in Broward County. ‘She was able to remain calm and keep him calm,’ a sheriff's office spokeswoman said. During the incident on 23 July, Ms Goncalves told the would-be robber: ‘I'm just going to talk with you about Jesus.’ The man said he was a Christian and was ‘embarrassed’ to be doing what he was doing but that he needed $300 (£190) to avoid being evicted. Praise: God for Nayara and the initiative of the Holy Spirit. (Ac.4:29) More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-us-canada-10822923?SThisFB
Church Army Evangelist Debbie Orriss from High Wycombe, Bucks has an inspirational week :- Monday she leads a congregational team welcoming visitors to the church and offeiring prayer before the lunchtime concert. Many of the audience stay behind for a cuppa and a chat. A High Wycombe project is the Homeless Connection. Part of its work is holding social evenings on Tuesdays in the church hall where food and hospitality for people experiencing homelessness can come. They use the Quiet Space to receive prayer or take some quiet time for themselves, or have a chat with one of the volunteers. BREATHE takes place on Wednesday evening and is aimed at people who are exploring different ways of worship. Thursdays she helps people explore faith and spirituality. Friday – day off! Saturday she joins a Street Angels team ministering to partygoers outside the pubs and clubs at midnight to make sure they are safe and to chat with them. Sunday A day of rest!
Praise: God for Debbie and all the volunteers bringing the light of Jesus Christ into lives and situations. May God continue to bless these and similar ministries across our nations. (Mt.4:16)
More: http://www.inspiremagazine.org.uk/Stories/Personal?storyaction=view&storyid=268
Scotland’s most senior Christian figures have come together to urge the country to vote in May’s Scottish elections. The Church leaders are encouraging the public and politicians to examine their faith as they prepare to vote in the Scottish Elections. Churches and Christian organisations have produced a shared election resources website: www.churchesvote.org to inform potential voters about parliamentary and election processes; to collate information about party policies and inspire Christians of all political persuasions to participate in the debate. The website is a joint initiative between the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office, Catholic Parliamentary Office, CARE for Scotland, Evangelical Alliance and Christians Count. It is supported by the Baptist Union of Scotland, Christians Count, Church of Scotland, Congregational Federation, Destiny Church Network, Evangelical Alliance, Free Church of Scotland, Methodist Church in Scotland, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Roman Catholic Church, The Salvation Army, Scottish Episcopal Church, United Free Church of Scotland and United Reformed Church
Praise: God for this united effort by the Churches to encourage people to vote. (Tit.1:9) More: http://www.scotland.anglican.org/index.php/news/entry/churches_unite_to_launch_election_website/
The Church of Scotland is set to roll out a brand new sport in its churches following a successful pilot in east Glasgow. Racquet WALL is similar to squash but played on only one wall. The game proved hugely popular in trials with a local primary school at the Church of Scotland-run Church House in Bridgeton. The venture has been developed by the Scottish Churches Commonwealth Games programme in association with Scottish Squash and Racketball Limited (SSRL), who said the response from children had been ‘astonishing’. Following the official launch this Wednesday, churches across Scotland will soon be hosting the game to help as many youngsters get involved as possible. John Dunlop, SSRL’s chief executive, said its priority was to engage people in the squash and racquet ball sports and tackle the ‘serious health and wellbeing issues that all of society faces today, which sport can help to address’.
Praise: that this idea bringing physical health will lead to spiritual blessing through contact with the Church. (3Jn.1:2)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/scottish.churches.embrace.new.sporting.craze/28868.htm
A Church of Scotland pastor who lost his mother and close relatives in a suicide attack on a Pakistani church said he forgives their killers. Reverend Aftab Gohar's 79-year-old mother, nephew, niece, two uncles and other friends and relatives were among the 171 people killed in the September 22nd blasts at Peshawar's All Saints Church. On Sunday, October 20th Gohar resumed his duties at Abbotsgrange Church in Grangemouth after making an emotional statement about the militants linked to one of the deadliest attacks against Pakistan's minority Christians. ‘It is wrong what these people did but I forgive them. Forgiving is what we learn from the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why I forgive,’ He added, ‘We pray that they may one day develop the wisdom to understand that it is not right to kill children and other innocent people.’
Praise: God for Gohar’s faithful witness; ask God to continue to strengthen him and all who are affected by terrorism and persecution. (Ma.5:11)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/30958-scotland-pastor-forgives-his-mothers-killers-in-pakistan-blasts
A booklet called ‘Thirst’ from Church Army reveals potential for more school-based fresh expressions of church. Thirst was founded by Sue Butler, who was surprised to find that although the local school was a Church of England primary, the social and cultural gap was too great for parents to join in with traditional forms of church. The reports back from Thirst have been positive, with leaders feeling it has made a tangible difference to the overall life of the school. Church of England primary schools are an ‘open goal’ for the Church as they tend to be receptive mission contexts for pioneering fresh expressions of church; however there is a challenge in finding pioneering leaders with the necessary links, resources and skills to make the most of the opportunities.
Praise: God for Christian mission work in schools – may every expression of faith grow and flourish. (Ps.34:11)
Thousands of students will be sitting down to take exams across the country this month - but one school in Brighton & Hove believes it's not only good teaching and revision that gets the grades. Cardinal Newman Catholic School has set up an interactive prayer room for pupils who are feeling the pressure.
Praise: God for this initiative and pray that the students will be blessed. (Ps.151)
A primary school in Sussex has scrapped a sex education DVD after parents complained about its explicit content. Governors at Turners Hill Primary School ruled that the video was not in keeping with their ethos following concerns about sexually graphic scenes. From September the video, which had been used for a year, will be replaced with a new discussion-based PowerPoint presentation. Parents will be invited to see the new material before the pupils see it and may withdraw their child from the lessons if they wish. Head teacher of the Church of England school, Oliver Burcombe, supports the governors’ decision. He said policies had been reviewed, and it was decided all materials ‘should be changed and based more around Christian principles’.
Praise: God that wise decisions have been made and pray for guidance to those who have the responsibility to teach our children. (Pr.1:5)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/school-axes-explicit-sex-ed-dvd-after-parents-complaints/