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Backed by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, the Fairness Commission has been launched in an effort to ensure the wellbeing of every resident in the city and to ensure no-one is left out of a job. Dr Sentamu opened the first of a series of public meetings for the new organisation this week. The meeting gave an opportunity for key stakeholders across the city to give their views. The Archbishop said that a society can be judged by how it looks after the poor and vulnerable. He added: ‘I am so encouraged by the establishment of this Fairness Commission for York – and so proud to be its patron. ‘Indeed, it is a great privilege to be asked to open this ‘Fairness debate’ in this great city of ours. As our country goes through tough economic times we need to remember that not all in our society are greatly privileged.
Pray: for the Commission, all who will contribute to it and the success of its work. (Job.5:16)
Swimming lessons in some Staffordshire schools should stop during Ramadan to ensure Muslim pupils ‘do not swallow water’ suggests Stoke-on-Trent City Council in an 11-page Ramadan Guide. It says swimming is acceptable to Muslims but poses a high risk of swallowing water that may break a fast. It also suggests re-scheduling sex education classes during the holy lunar month, as Muslim followers who have reached puberty are required to avoid sexual thoughts during this period. Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society said the guidance is out of proportion.’Surely it should be possible for Muslim pupils to be withdrawn from those elements of the school day that they don't want to participate in without imposing these restrictions on everybody, Muslim or not. Rearranging the whole school routine for a whole month to satisfy the religious needs of a few is totally. Pray: that the city council will think again even as the National Secular Society suggests.
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10596808
Viewers find violence on TV ‘acceptable' according to a BBC poll of a mere 300 people, including children of 11. The poll claims that sexual violence on screen is seen as ‘part of life' as long as it is not ‘gratuitous'. These findings are based on flimsy evidence but will feed into programme makers' guidelines. Ofcom has been accused of giving broadcasters a green light to swear after consulting only 130 people. Its study included special input for minority groups like those who are transgender or travellers and suggested that people were willing to tolerate various swear words on TV throughout the day. (See Prayer Alert 1910) Vivienne Pattison, Head of Mediawatch UK, said: ‘No one has ever complained to me there is not enough violence on the telly. But I hear a lot from people who think there is too much.' She condemned the decision to consult children: ‘Big themes should be decided by people who are at least old enough to vote’. Pray: that planners portray the role models shown on TV to inspire audiences to follow God's way. (Mt.4:10) More: http://www.mediawatchuk.org.uk/
Health officials looking to control the Swansea measles epidemic have expressed concern at a fall in numbers attending the latest MMR clinics. Drop-in clinics have been held for more than a month but only 381 vaccinations were given last weekend. Abertawe Bro Morgannwg health board is ‘particularly concerned’ because 9,000 young people have still not had the jab. The number of local measles cases stands at 1,094. Drop-in clinics have already given more than 7,500 vaccinations at the weekend sessions in Bridgend, Neath and Swansea over the past four weeks. But after the recent low turn-out, the health board's director of public health Dr Sara Hayes said: ‘We are particularly concerned because our records show there are 9,000 four to 18 year olds in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg area who have not had their MMR.’
Pray: for success of the drop-in centres and especially for the take-up of those who have yet to be vaccinated. (Pr.3:8)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22513562
Victims will urge children at risk to tell the authorities of their fears. Their stories are ones not normally made public in intimate detail. In the first scheme of its kind survivors of forced marriages will travel the country in May to describe the ordeals they went through in an attempt to try to persuade communities to abandon the practice. Men and women who were forced to marry against their wishes will visit 12 cities to tell teachers and police officers to be extra vigilant about children going missing during the summer holidays. Each summer hundreds of girls and boys, largely from South Asian communities, travel with their families to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, where they are forced into marriages. Those working to stop the practice say the period just before the summer holiday is always their busiest time of the year.
Pray: for those taking part in this tour, that their voices will be heard. (1Co.16:13)
A recent survey has revealed that growing numbers of medical students are opposed to carrying out abortions. The study, published in the Journal of Medical Ethics, found that almost a third of students would not perform an abortion for a ‘congenitally malformed’ baby after 24 weeks and a quarter would not perform an abortion for failed contraception before 24 weeks. Abortion is currently allowed after 24 weeks if there is a ‘substantial risk’ of the baby having a ‘serious handicap’, but this requirement has been interpreted to include even treatable conditions such as a cleft palate or a club foot. There have been almost 18,000 such abortions since 2002. Of these 1,189 were aborted after 24 weeks. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has voiced concern about the ‘slow but growing problem of trainees opting out of training in the termination of pregnancy and is therefore concerned about the abortion service of the future’.
Pray: for our young doctors as they make choices that effect the lives of God’s creation. (Gen.9:5)
To a significant extent, Britain is reliant on churches to reach out to communities and address the social needs of people amidst the financial crisis, a new study has found. The study, conducted by the Church Urban Fund, shows that 6,500 Church of England parishes offer special services to help schoolchildren, parents, new immigrants and the elderly. A total of eight out of 10 said that parishioners use their spare time to informally help those struggling with issues such as isolation, family breakdown, drug abuse, domestic violence or debt. The survey shows that donations given by churchgoers to social action projects have increased by 19 per cent to £342 million in just two years. Andrea Williams of Christian Concern commented: “The Government must ensure that its legislation – whether Charity law or equalities legislation – does not inhibit churches and Christian organisations from carrying out their service whilst maintaining an overtly Christian ethos.
Pray: for legislation to be revised so that Christians can serve their communities as Christians – not in a way that forces them to ‘leave their faith at the door'. (1Pe.3:15)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/survey-reveals-britains-dependence-on-churches
The total deaths of people in police custody or following contact with the police in England and Wales since 1990 is 955 and all deaths including pursuit and shooting is 1,447 according to research carried out by INQUEST(United Campaigns for Justice and Accountability) The Human Rights Act guarantees everyone the right to life. In practice this is interpreted as requiring the state to investigate deaths linked to the authorities and hold accountable those responsible for unlawful killings. In spite of this guarantee it has proved almost impossible to hold anyone accountable. No police officer has been convicted of manslaughter for a crime committed while on duty since 1986, though since then hundreds have died in police custody or after contact with the police. Time and again, the Crown Prosecution Service has been unwilling to prosecute police officers, and in only one case, in 1969, has a police officer been convicted. See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jul/19/simon-harwood-police-officer-not-guilty
Pray: that authorities would honour their ‘duty to protect’ people in their custody, pray also for a ‘much discussed’ national enquiry into these statistics to be a reality in 2013. May all that is hidden be revealed. (Ps.103:6)
More: http://inquest.gn.apc.org/website/statistics/deaths-in-police-custody
Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of the British public believe if a child is taught Religious Education (RE) at school, then they are more likely to be tolerant towards other faiths and cultures as an adult. The ComRes poll of 2,000 adults also found that 72 per cent agree that RE is an important means through which children learn about other people's faiths and ways of life, and 73 per cent believe it is important for young people to learn about a range of religious beliefs other than their own while at school. Chief executive, Baptist minister the Revd Peter Kerridge, said 'This poll clearly reveals that British public are overwhelming in favour of religious education in schools, and understand the benefits the subject can for young people growing up in today's modern, multicultural Britain. 'What is so surprising is the unity across all faiths on this issue. Pray: for the Government to recognise the place of R.E. in the school curriculum. (Ex.18:20)
The housing and homelessness charity Shelter says it has seen a surge in demand for its advice services as the high cost of housing, rising living costs and cuts to housing support leave rising numbers of people struggling to pay for their homes. Shelter reported a 40 per cent increase in the number of callers in England helped with housing costs, arrears and other debt issues during the last year, while in the last six months alone, visitors to the charity's online housing costs advice have doubled. Shelter’s research reveals that people who are current ly struggling to pay their rent or mortgage have few options for increasing their income: only 21 per cent said they or their partner are able to get extra hours at work, and just 26 per cent said they could get a second job. Last month Shelter reported that almost a third of people have already cut back on food in order to pay housing costs.
Pray: for those who are finding life difficult in the current situation. Pray for Shelter and other charities in this field who offer support. (Ps.18:18)