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An Anglican Bishop has hit out at the Government’s failure to tackle alcohol abuse, an issue he describes as ‘one of the major sins of our time’. The Rt Revd Geoff Annas, the Bishop of Stafford, blamed the extension of the licensing laws and called for a ‘seismic shift in attitudes’ towards alcohol, as there has been towards tobacco. He said successive governments had failed to prevent alcohol abuse, ‘a problem that blights our society and colours the view the rest of the world has of our nation’. The Bishop declared that, in hearing countless tragic stories of lives damaged by binge-drinking, it was time for the church and society to speak out. In a letter published in parish magazines across the Diocese of Lichfield, he said: ‘Hospital managers, the police and fire services have all told me in recent months of the way alcohol related issues are soaking up ever decreasing resources.’ Pray: that Government and society will take this matter more seriously and that a solution may be found. (Ro.13:13) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/bishop-blames-binge-drinking-culture-for-blighting-britain/
People across Great Britain are getting ready to take a fresh look at the Gospel of Matthew during Lent with the Big Read. It is part of the Big Bible project, an online digital community that promotes regular Bible reading and engagement with contemporary culture. This year, it’s gone national on Twitter and Facebook and with multimedia resources available through the Big Bible blog, has a ‘blend’ of physical and digital materials. The Project is launching this year’s Big Read with Tom Wright's Lent for Everyone: Matthew. As well as using the book, house groups will be able to take advantage of free online study materials from a range of contributors, including week-by-week group resources, videos and audio reflections, and a challenge to carry that learning through the week. Big Bible offers a great opportunity to dust off your bible, share with your friends and neighbours and learn more about what God wants for your life. Pray: for the success of this project and that many people will re-open their Bibles and refresh their relationship with God. (Lk.24:45) More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=492
Premier Christian Radio and Premier Gospel Radio have launched an advertising campaign to lift morale in the nation’s capital in the wake of the riots. Posters will appear in parts of the city that saw the worst rioting, pointing to the work the radio stations do in offering hope and inspiration. The posters will appear in Croydon, Hackney, Ealing, Haringey, and Lewisham. Peter Kerridge, CEO of Premier Radio, said: ‘The aim of these posters is to be a source of hope. We want to be a beacon of hope to Christians, those of other faiths and none, who live in these areas. In the aftermath of the riots there has been a lot of condemnation. We want to focus on a possible way forward, a tried and tested way of re-building lives and communities. Hope and inspiration are things we all need and the Christian gospel provides it.’
Pray: for all affected areas and that the Gospel message will bring healing to these communities. (Pr.13:17)
More: http://www.religiousintelligence.org/churchnewspaper/news/bid-to-lift-morale-after-riots/
The first attempt at a law introducing an opt-in system to protect children from being bombarded by online pornography has been launched in the House of Lords. A Private Member’s Bill has been introduced by Baroness Howe with the backing of Christian charity Care. The Bill would require internet service providers and mobile phone operators to block internet porn, unless a customer aged 18 or over asks to have access to such content. A Private Member’s Bill rarely becomes law unless the Government gets behind it. Claire Perry MP, who recently convened a cross-party enquiry into online child safety, said she was pleased the issue was being raised. She said: ‘The Howe Bill addresses very effectively one of the greatest challenges for UK parents today, protecting children online. It is a timely and important piece of legislation that I hope will have a big impact.’
Pray: that this Private Members Bill will receive Government backing and become law. (Ne.1:11)
Deployed members of the Armed Forces with sick relatives at home.Many of our service personnel serving in various areas around the world, but especially those in Afghanistan, are having to cope with the knowledge that loved ones are seriously ill back home. Elderly parents, grandparents and sick children can cause real concern but unless they are dangerously ill the soldier cannot get compassionate leave to be with them. This can cause extra stress on top of the deployment duties and a sense of helplessness and isolation at the time of the families needs. Pray: that those soldiers affected will have peace about their loved ones while on active duty so they are not distracted and remain vigilant.
Pray that those caring for the sick will be are strengthened and receive the support they need. (Is.54:13)
More: http://www.afcu.org.uk/
Yobs in West Yorkshire burned Bibles and slashed hymnbooks in an attack against a Methodist church in a village near Bradford. The attack on Birkenshaw Methodist Church was discovered earlier this week when an art group went to hold their meeting. A large crucifix had been ripped from an interior wall, chairs slashed, and wires leading to the church’s speakers and piano keyboard cut. Rev Graham Edwards, the church’s minister, said: ‘Everyone is very upset and it is very sad to go to the effort of refurbishing the whole place to find somebody will break in and, for what seems like no reason at all, will destroy and ruin things’. The church has 61 members and was refurbished two years ago. This attack could cost them a further £2,000. In Westry, near March, a 19th century Cambridgeshire church was gutted by a massive fire, reportedly started when yobs set Bibles and prayer books alight. Pray: that God will infuse His people with His Spirit in their fight against their attackers. (Ps.92:7) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/bibles-burned-hymnbooks-slashed-in-bradford-attack/
Church insurance specialist, Chris Knott Insurance, has picked up the tab for a unique Bible tour taking place this month. The tour is part of year-long celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Premier Christian Radio presenter, the Rev Victor Robert Farrell, will preach from the 66 books of the Bible at each stop of the 66 city-tour over 66 days. He set off from London on Sunday and will finish back in the capital on November 16 - 16/11, a reference to 1611, the year the King James Bible was completed. Rev Farrell said: ‘What makes this tour so unique is that this is potentially the last year we’ll have just 66 cities in the UK. The Queen can grant city status to any growing town and it is expected she will do so next year as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.’
Pray: for this opportunity to promote the Bible around the country; may all those that hear be blessed. (Ps.40:5)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bible.tour.heads.to.66.cities/28617.htm
The Bible could be jettisoned by the BBC’s popular radio show, Desert Island Discs, according to a source within the broadcaster. The show asks guests which records they would take with them if exiled on an island, and they have been given the Bible and the complete works of Shakespeare as well by default. But, according to a report in The Independent, a BBC source says there have been discussions about whether to end the presumption about the Bible after more than 70 years on the show. The BBC has denied that there are any plans or discussions to remove the Bible from the programme. The alleged discussions have come months after the death of the show’s creator’s widow, who previously owned the rights to the programme. The National Secular Society has called for the Bible to be dropped from the show. But atheists including author Philip Pullman have responded positively to the inclusion of the Bible.
Pray: against any further cutting of our Christian foundations. (Ps.11:3)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/bible-could-be-cast-away-by-bbcs-desert-island-discs/
Campaigners are urging the Government to give workers the legal right to paid leave if they have been affected by a family bereavement amid growing public support for the move. Two thirds of people said it was unfair that bereavement leave was unpaid, a survey of more than 1,500 adults showed. TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Most people will be surprised to learn that unless they have an understanding employer, they may not be able to take much time off work following a death in the family, and if they are, any compassionate leave will almost certainly be unpaid. Coping with the sudden loss of a loved one is traumatic enough without having to worry about work too. The Government should do the right thing and give people a legal right to paid time away from their jobs after someone close to them has died.“
Pray: for carefor all those who are bereaved and appropriate support for those who are temporarily unable to work following bereavement. (2Co.1:3-4)
More: http://news.sky.com/story/1173159/bereavement-workers-should-get-paid-leave
Churches say the benefit cuts which came into place April 1 are ‘unjust’ and hit the poorest hardest. The changes include the introduction of the so-called 'Bedroom Tax', which will mean cuts to housing benefit for some social housing tenants with a spare room. Around a third of families in social housing will be affected by the change. The up-rating of working-age benefits and tax credits at around a third of the rate of inflation will mean a real-term cut in payments, affecting especiallythose on the minimum wage and people out of work. The Government hopes to make savings of 20% by replacing the Disability Living Allowance with the Personal Independence Payment. The warning has come from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church and the Church of Scotland, who say that the most vulnerable are paying a ‘disproportionate price’ in the Government's austerity measures.
Pray: that the Government will consider those that are most vulnerable and make allowances and be prepared to listen. (Is.10:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/benefit.cuts.are.unjust.say.churches/32004.htm