2013 marked the first confirmation service in a Messy Church congregation in the Diocese of Lichfield. Messy Church originated out of the Fresh Expression movement, which was established by the Church of England and the Methodist Church to pioneer new congregations that appeal to those who might not normally attend a 'regular' or traditional church. Now, however, Messy Church is a movement in its own right, though still under the umbrella of Fresh Expressions. It aims to provide a space for families to experience and take part in worship in a new way, incorporating creativity, celebration and hospitality. Messy Churches have become extremely popular in recent years. Some people have expressed reservations about the movement, however, asking whether it is really just a craft club, rather than a church. Bishop Mark of Shrewsbury, who led the confirmation service, has rebutted these claims.

Pray: for all initiatives that spread the Gospel message and especially for the Messy Church movement. (Mk.16:15)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/lichfield.delighted.with.first.messy.church.confirmation/34790.htm

A weakened safeguard (From November men whose last sexual contact with another man was more than 12 months ago will be allowed to donate blood) which protects against HIV contaminating the blood supply should be removed because it is homophobic, the Liberal Democrats’ conference has heard. Delegates at the Lib Dems’ annual conference passed a motion which called for the complete removal of the weakened safeguard. One party member claimed the new rule was an example of ‘institutionalised homophobia’. Following the weakening of the blood safeguard The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge warned the new rule was a ‘huge cave-in to the demands of the homosexual lobby’. He wrote: ‘After lobbying by homosexual campaigners, we have now arrived at a situation where homosexuals have the right to donate blood regardless of the increased medical risks. This is the Alice-in-wonderland world of the equality agenda.’

Pray: for policy to be based on clinical evidence not political correctness. (2Co.7:1)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/lib-dems-vote-for-complete-removal-of-blood-safeguard/

Three bishops will this week lead calls for the Church of England to make a public statement standing up for the right of Christians to wear a cross. They have signed a motion condemning the ‘silencing’ of outward displays of Christianity in Britain and a ‘growing trend’ towards the ‘restriction of religious liberty’ which is to be debated at the Church’s national assembly. One hundred other members of the Synod, including clergy and lay people, have backed the call for the Church to defend Christians against the ‘overzealous’ interpretation of human rights and equality legislation by judges, politicians and employers. Its backers believe that by passing the motion the Church would make a landmark statement that wearing a cross is an integral part of the Christian faith. The Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Rev Donald Allister, said the move would make the point that although Christians are not bound to wear a cross they have a ‘duty’ to be ‘public’ about their faith.

Pray: for those who draw up regulations to not be bound by a mistaken perception that for politically correctness they must ban symbols of Christian faith. (1Ti.3:9)

More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9061795/Let-people-wear-cross-with-pride-urge-bishops.html

The Leprosy Mission has hit out at suggestions that the Treasury might take a share of Gift Aid or impose a levy on charities. The call came from the Charity Commission, which has warned that it will not be able to cope with the Treasury's request to make a further saving of 10 per cent in the year 2015/16. The Leprosy Mission said, however, that it was "unfair" to take a slice of gift aid to plug the Government's spending cuts. Peter Walker, national director of The Leprosy Mission said a levy could put people off giving while penalizing recipients of the money. ‘If the Government wants a Big Society, it is responsible for providing the framework for the charitable sector to operate effectively, which includes rigorous investigation where necessary,’ he said. ‘The charitable sector is paramount to the delivery of the Big Society and it is, therefore, unreasonable for the government to expect charities to pay to regulate the sector.’

Pray: that this proposal will not become policy and that charitable donation remains entirely with the charity receiving the gift. (Pr.22:16 )

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/leprosy.mission.says.levy.on.charities.unfair/32723.htm

Praying can be frustrating. Most Christians are convinced that they should pray more than they do. But it’s hard. Some don’t pray because they don’t know what to say. It can seem that the best praying is done by super-spiritual types who have command of some sacred vocabulary. The forty days to Palm Sunday February 13 – March 24, 2013 makes an ideal time to venture into a season of sustained, hope-filled prayer. To pray differently, praying great things. Because of this sense of frustration, instead of calling people to pray more, we need to urge people to pray differently than they may have learned or experienced. How differently? In what ways should our praying be different? Waymakers is a mobilization ministry focused on seeing Christ’s glory enhanced and advanced by sensitive, persistent prayer. Their website offers new ways to pray differently, equip and encourage Christians to pursue a vision of living in a prayed-for community, and of course, a prayed for world.

Pray: that the Holy Spirit will teach us new ways to pray that will change the world. (Lk.11:1)

More: http://waymakers.org/about/

Stewardship is inviting Christians to do their bit in changing the world this Lent. The charity is asking Christians to take up the 40acts challenge and create a movement of generosity. The challenge is to ‘do Lent generously’ this year by taking part in 40 acts of generosity over 40 days, some of which might focus on community engagement, the environment, or stepping out from personal comfort zones. Ideas can be big and small, from inviting a neighbour to church or sending a thank you note, or picking up litter around the neighbourhood. Debbie Wright, Stewardship’s Head of Content explains: ‘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: that Church would not just ‘do Lent generously’ but make it a lifestyle change. (Dt.15:10)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/lent.challenge.to.demonstrate.generosity/29334.htm

A generation of children risks being traumatised by the Government's swingeing legal aid cuts, and youngsters caught in violent homes are already being placed in acute danger, family law experts have revealed. Two months after free legal services were abolished in most divorce and custody cases, lawyers warn it is just a matter of time before they are dealing with the murder of an abused mother or her children. In the most damning assessment yet, barristers, solicitors and charities strongly condemned the civil legal aid cuts as an attack on the country's most vulnerable children from its poorest communities. Experts predict a spike in angry too poor to afford private legal help, simply taking the law into their own hands. They warn a generation of youngsters from impoverished communities will be emotionally damaged by parental battles or simply lose access to their fathers and paternal relatives.

Pray: for government, the courts and children's services to work together to ensure the protections of children at risk of family violence. (Ps.9:9-10)

More: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/legal-aid-cuts-put-a-generation-of-children-in-danger-8640801.html

The Law Society has revoked the booking of a major marriage conference to be held by Christian Concern and others because it is contrary to its ‘diversity’ policy. Christian Concern, which forms part of a family values coalition, the World Congress of Families, was due to host a colloquium at the Law Society on the issue of marriage, entitled ‘One man-One woman. Making the case for marriage for the good of society’. In an astonishing e-mail, Adam Tallis, General Manager of Ampersand at the Law Society, stated that the event ‘is contrary to our diversity policy, espousing as it does an ethos which is opposed to same-sex marriage.’ The Law Society’s decision comes at a time when the debate over the Government’s proposal to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples has reached fever pitch after over half a million people have signed a petition opposing the plans.

Pray: for our country to return to traditional marriage values and may God’s wisdom saturate the law makers at this time. (Is.33:6)

More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/law-society-bans-a-marriage-conference-because-of-its-%E2%80%98diversity%E2%80%99-policy