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)

More: http://www.baptisttimes.co.uk/news1.htm

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

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/

Critics have hit out at a barrister who called for the age of consent to be lowered to 13, saying her comments were “foolish” and “despicable”. Barrister Barbara Hewson said a change in the law would end the “persecution of old men”, in the wake of recent high-profile arrests over alleged historic sex offences but lawyer Malcom Underhill, writing for The Daily Telegraph, said the call is “one of the most foolish proposals on the issue of child welfare that has been laid before the public”. Mr Underhill warned that in lowering the age of consent, the risk of paedophiles “taking advantage of innocent children for their iniquitous ends will become even greater”. He added, “this proposal must be snuffed out as quickly as possible, to protect the most vulnerable in society”. But gay-rights activist Peter Tatchell says there should be a serious debate about the issue,

Pray: for all parties to recognise the danger to our youngsters inherent in this proposal . (Gal.5:19)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/critics-pan-barristers-call-to-lower-age-of-consent-to-13/

More British children are being raised in one-parent families than in any other major European country because the tax and benefit system ‘encourages transient shack-ups’. One in five British children live with a single mother or father. This figure is some 35 per cent higher than in Germany and 50 per cent higher than in France. Researcher and author Patricia Morgan points out that these are the countries whose tax and benefits systems reward parents who stay together. She said: ‘You can look at these figures and see immediately which countries help couples through tax and benefits. In France, people get help if they draw up legal family contracts. In Germany, Holland and Italy, married people get tax relief and tax relief for children.’ Recent studies highlight that a child brought up by one parent is much more likely to underachieve at school and grow up to suffer drug, alcohol, behavioural and employment problems.

Pray: that the government would look again at the benefits of marriage support. (Pr.27:12)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/critics-blame-tax-system-for-number-of-single-parents/

A local council is set to remove a cross from a crematorium window to make it more ‘inclusive’ – even though no one appears to have ever complained about the Christian symbol. The plan, at Haycombe Crematorium in Bath, has prompted concern from residents with one warning of ‘creeping secularisation’. One of the locals who has expressed disquiet at the proposed move is Hugh Mackay, who lives near the crematorium. He said: ‘It seems there is a determined secular campaign to try and obliterate our religious heritage in our country. The council says it is not to upset people of all faiths but I’ve talked to Hindus, Muslims and Jews and none of them have ever complained. They all respect the cross as a symbol of the Christian faith. Some of us feel very trongly that this is a deliberate attempt by the council to downplay our Christian heritage.’

Pray: for the council in this case to rethink their misguided political correctness. (Ps.105:1)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/crematorium-cross-set-to-be-dumped-despite-no-complaints/

A judge has controversially ruled that Northern Ireland must allow gay couples to adopt children, despite widespread opposition. Northern Ireland’s health minister, Edwin Poots, has vowed to ‘urgently appeal’ against the ruling, warning that it could hinder further adoption reforms. An official public consultation into whether to allow gay adoption in Northern Ireland showed that 95 per cent of respondents were opposed to the move. But the taxpayer-funded Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission took the matter to court, and a judge ruled in their favour last Thursday. Mr Poots says the ruling has not altered his position or the position of his department. He said: ‘It is my intention to urgently appeal this judgment and I am taking this action with a heavy heart.’ He added: ‘I have already publicly declared my intention to reform Northern Ireland adoption law because reform is much needed and long overdue’.

Pray: that the appeal will reverse the decision and allow Godly judgement to rule. (Jn.9:31)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/court-forces-gay-adoption-on-northern-ireland/

A Christian radio station has been allowed to go to court to challenge a ban on an advert which asked Christians to report experiences of workplace marginalisation. The Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC) banned the ad from being aired, ruling that it was ‘politically motivated’. But Premier Christian Radio rejects that, saying the ad addresses a legitimate issue faced by Christians. The ad was due to be aired during May 2010 in order to inform debate during the general election campaign. It said: ‘Surveys have shown that 60% of active Christians are being increasingly marginalised in the work place. We are concerned to get the most accurate data to inform the public debate. We will then use this data to help make a fairer society.’ The station was initially denied leave to challenge the ban in court, but that decision has now been overturned.

Pray: that this opportunity to challenge the ban on this advert would be successful. (Ps.20:2)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/court-to-hear-christian-radio-advert-ban-case/

A High Court hearing has begun on the case of a paralysed man who wants legal protection for any doctor who helps to end his life. Tony Nicklinson, 58, from Wiltshire, suffers from locked-in syndrome brought on by a stroke in 2005. He is almost completely paralysed and has to communicate through a special computer. The High Court has heard similar cases on assisted suicide, but the extent of Mr Nicklinson’s paralysis means that a doctor would have to end his life for him, a practice known as euthanasia. Mr Nicklinson told the BBC that his life was a 'living nightmare' and that it was 'unacceptable' in 21st century Britain to be denied the right to take his own life because he was physically handicapped. Mr Nicklinson is asking the court to rule that the existing law breaches his human right to die at his own choosing.

Pray: for wisdom and guidance from God when debating this sensitive and difficult matter. (Jas.1:5)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/court.hears.lockedin.syndrome.case/30099.htm