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The Prime Minister announced that from next April the Government would be measuring how much the lives of British people are improving ‘not just by our standard of living, but by our quality of life’. His plan for a wellbeing index has come under fire from critics who have already written it off as ‘airy fairy and impractical’. However, the cynicism is not shared by everyone. Emrys Jones, of Care for the Family, said the index could give a clear indication of what matters most to people and enable the Government to prioritise areas that impact most strongly on people’s happiness levels. ‘Economic growth is vital, as without jobs people can struggle to take care of their families, but it’s also important to consider our wellbeing as a nation and identify what makes us truly happy, such as investing more quality time in our families,’ he said.
Pray: that the nation’s quality of life improves despite our economic hardships.(Is.32:18)
The Church of England was warned last week that, unless there are further amendments, its 140-year-old partnership with the Government over schools could be ended by the new Academies Bill. The warning came in a client-advice paper from the solicitors that acts for the National Society, the body set up in 1811 to found church schools. The new Bill is potentially the largest change in the provision of education in England since 1870. Before then schools had been provided by voluntary bodies, principally the Church of England. The balance then swung towards state provision; but the new legislation could swing the balance back again to the voluntary sector, says the solicitor’s education specialist. ‘We suppose that the Government would ideally wish to see the end of local authorities as providers of schools. Modifications to the Bill have been by the bishops in the Lords which would increase diocesan boards’ influence over their schools. Pray: that Church schools will continue to underpin the faith of future generations. (Lk.18:16)
David Cameron said he wouldn’t have pushed through gay marriage had he known beforehand how alienated grassroots members would feel, it has been revealed. In quotes disclosed in a book by a newspaper columnist, the Prime Minister told one ally: ‘If I’d known what it was going to be like, I wouldn’t have done it.’ But he now denies regretting the legislation, saying in an interview: ‘I don’t think I expected quite the furore that there was. It’s clearly been very difficult for some people to take on, and I completely understand and respect that. I am passionate about marriage. I think it’s a great institution, and I think it should be available to people who are gay as well as those of us who aren’t.' Matthew d’Ancona’s book ‘In It Together’ gives a series of insights into the Prime Minister and his dealings with the cabinet.
Pray: that the comments made by the PM will lead to a deeper understanding and sensitivity. (Job.32:8)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/david-cameron-privately-regrets-redefining-marriage/?e041013
Prime Minister David Cameron told MPs on Wednesday that he believes that Christians should have the right to wear a cross at work. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsCTjGTLY20&feature=player_embedded He also promised to change the law to allow this, if necessary. Yet the Government has intervened against the two Christians whose cases are before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over the right to wear a cross. The Government has told the ECHR that their employers had every right to discipline them. As well as the 'cross' cases, two other cases, relating to freedom of conscience, will also be heard by the ECHR on 4 September, including that of Christian Legal Centre client Gary McFarlane who was sacked after he expressed a possible conscientious objection to giving direct sex therapy to two homosexual men. Why is the Prime Minister saying one thing but his Government is doing another?
Pray: that the Government will give a clear message in supporting the cross. (1Cor.1:18)
Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has attacked David Cameron for doing more than any other recent political leader to feed Christian anxieties that they are part of a persecuted minority. In an article for the Daily Mail he wrote: 'I like David Cameron and believe he is genuinely sincere in his desire to make Britain a generous nation where we care for one another and where people of faith may exercise their beliefs fully. But it was a bit rich to hear that the Prime Minister has told religious leaders that they should 'stand up and oppose aggressive secularisation' when it seems that his Government is aiding and abetting this aggression every step of the way.’ He added ‘many Christians’ doubted the sincerity of Mr Cameron's pledge to support their rights, with a recent poll showing two-thirds believed they are now part of a ‘persecuted minority’.
Pray: for our PM and other politicians that they will stand against Christian persecution. (2Cor.2:17)
Dale Farm near Wickford in rural Essex is one of the largest Gypsy and Traveller sites in Europe. Ray McKay, spokesman for Basildon council said travellers would get more sympathy if they were poor, but they aren’t. The Bishops of Brentwood, Chelmsford, and other Catholic and Anglican clergy have all visited Dale Farm. There is a small cabin there for meetings plus IT and literacy classes with the blessings of the local Catholic parish priest. A Catholic nun and social worker working with the travellers for eight years said, ‘Irish Travellers are the smallest ethnic UK group: more than 20% are homeless. Most are illiterate. Their life expectancy is 20 years lower than the national average. They are often the target of abuse and blamed for everything from fly-tipping to petty crime. Some do misbehave, but the majority are law-abiding. Many families have to move every few days. The children have no chance to stay in school for long.'
Pray: for facilities for Travellers to be established across the UK, and for more churches and authorities to unite in their work for and with these communities. (Mt.25:34-40)
More: http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=18803
A successful Street Pastors team in one of the UK's busiest cities is set to fold at the end of the month through lack of funding. The scheme costs approximately £25,000 to run and is largely supported by the Home Office, although it raises some of its own funding. The Street Pastors are accountable to the police and local authority as well as the Welsh Assembly Government. 'Like everyone, we're feeling the economic pinch,' explained Gary Smith, who runs Cardiff Street Pastors. 'It really is a huge shame because we believe we've done a significant work to help reduce crime on our city centre streets to its lowest figure for 25 years.' They have full support from the police, who have been actively, but as yet unsuccessfully, seeking new areas of funding', said Mr Smith. Inspector Tony Bishop, who is responsible for policing Cardiff city centre, described the Street Pastors' presence as 'invaluable'.' Pray: for new funding and reorganisation that will allow the Street Pastors to continue their important work in some form. (Pr.12:14)
On Sunday 27th November 2011 at 3pm Church leaders from the Methodist, United Reformed and Anglican Churches in Cumbria will sign an historic ecumenical Declaration of Intent. Supported by the other five main Christian denominations in Cumbria (Roman Catholic, Salvation Army, Baptist, Quaker and Church of Scotland) this declaration will mean that Cumbria becomes the first ecumenical county in England with churches agreeing on a county-level to work more closely together for the sake of unity. The service in Ambleside on 27th November will be attended by Church Leaders from all 8 denominations in Cumbria, and by representatives from the national churches involved. A message of support from the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Dr Fykse Tveit, will be relayed during the service. Rt Rev James Newcome, Anglican Bishop of Carlisle said: ‘I am personally thrilled that we are taking a significant step towards an Ecumenical County’.
Pray: for the new concept of an ecumenical county, that it will become a tool empowered by God to spread the Gospel message.pray also that it will prove to be the first of many more. (1Cor.14:26)
More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=544
For the people of west Cumbria, the events of this week will be almost impossible to comprehend. In this part of north west England, shootings are rare and major crime is almost unheard of. But in the past nine months, the communities here have endured a succession of severe incidents, natural and man-made. People are still homeless from last year's floods.The Keswick school bus crash 10 days ago in which three people died is still recent and raw. But the shootings will eclipse those, both in terms of violence and the shock that will reverberate throughout the remote area where these killings took place.
Pray: for all the people involved with this and other tragedies that God would minister to them in their need. (Rev.22:17)
Prominent MPs have signed an amendment to improve the law on free speech – offering more protection for Christian street preachers. The amendment would remove the word ‘insulting’ from Section 5 of the Public Order Act. In recent years a number of street preachers have been unjustly arrested because someone claimed to be ‘insulted’ by their message. The Government is so far resisting the change, arguing that the problem can be solved by better police training. But Simon Calvert, The Christian Institute’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, says the law needs to change. Genuine Christians don’t want to insult anyone. But insult can often be in the eye of the beholder. Too many Christian street preachers have been unjustly silenced by the police and even arrested simply because someone doesn’t like what they are saying. The amendment is expected to be debated in the House of Commons next month.
Pray: for Parliament to agree to this proposed amendment to the law. (Job.9:35)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/cross-party-support-for-free-speech-amendment/