Bishop regrets prison closures
The Bishop of Portsmouth has said he is 'uncomfortable' with the closure of two prisons in his diocese. The Right Reverend Christopher Foster has promised support for prisoners and staff at Kingston Prison in Portsmouth and Camp Hill Prison on the Isle of Wight. The government announced this week that Kingston, Camp Hill and several other prisons across England would be closing on economic grounds. The Ministry of Justice is planning to replace the facilities with a new 'super prison' holding more than 2,000 prisoners. Bishop Foster, who has visited the prisons in person, said: “I admit to feeling uncomfortable at closing prisons purely on ‘economic’ grounds.'For me, the bigger question is whether prisons are doing their job in terms of social justice. 'Are they able to rehabilitate prisoners so that they are better educated, understand the impact of their crimes and want to turn their lives around?
Pray: for the prison service, inmates and staff. Pray that any changes will support the criminal justice system and improve re-offending rates. (Ps.142:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/bishop.regrets.prison.closures/31434.htm
Contraceptive Culture usurps parental consent
As Britain continues to have the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in Western Europe, school children under the age of consent are being given the pill without the consent of their parents. In hundreds of state secondary schools across the country condoms are also being offered to pupils under 16 years old (the legal age of consent). And if they express an interest, girls are referred for contraceptive injections and implants. School nurses providing advice and referrals — without the consent of parents — is seen as the only way to reach the most at-risk girls. In one case a 14 year old girl with a headache was refused an aspirin by the school nurse because parental consent was required, yet she was offered a confidential service on contraception. Policy is set in education authorities, but the confidential service is already offered in areas including Bristol, Berkshire, Peterborough, West Midlands, Northumbria and County Durham.
Pray: for authorities and parents to recognise their roles and for them to work together to support teenagers.. (Gal.5:19)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/education/contraceptive-culture-usurps-parental-consent
Unemployed not just statistics, says Justin Welby
Justin Welby, the Bishop of Durham, described unemployment as a “tragedy” with parallels to losses on the battlefield, which wears down “all but the bravest and toughest”. His comments come amid controversy in some quarters over George Osborne’s depiction of some benefit claimants as people lying in bed while their “striver” neighbours go to work.
He also issued a series of stinging criticisms of Government policy, accusing it of giving the North East of England a “grossly unequal” share of some building funds in an 'out of sight out of mind' attitude. The comments came in highly unusual form for a bishop – as he took over as a newspaper editor for the day. Bishop Welby, who becomes Archbishop next month, spent the day guest editing the Northern Echo, which is based in his Durham diocese, focusing on efforts to combat unemployment.
Pray: for all those who face the devastating effects of unemployment. (Ecc.3:13)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/9796906/Unemployed-not-just-statistics-says-Justin-Welby.html
Pastor Saeed, an American citizen, is in grave danger in a brutal Iranian prison where he says he is experiencing "intense pains after beatings in interrogations" and has been told he "will hang." His trial before one of Iran's "hanging judges" is set to begin on Monday. His alleged “crime” – threatening national security, which translates to establishing house churches in Iran.
The regime plans to use evidence that dates back 13 years to when Pastor Saeed converted from Islam to Christianity. As we know from the case of Pastor Youcef, who is now free because thousands of people spoke out, charges related to converting from Islam can carry the death sentence in Iran. The ACLJ is calling on the U.S. State Department to demand that Iran release this U.S. citizen immediately. We cannot be silent while this American suffers for his faith.
Jordan Sekulow, ACLJ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Let us pray that Pastor Saeed will be exonerated and released. Pray for his protection from brutality, mistreatment and soon release from prison.
USA: 4000 Students pledge lives to mission service
Some 4,224 students from US and Canadian colleges pledged themselves to long-term missionary service at the close of Urbana 12 on New Year’s Eve, twice as many as the last Student Missionary Conference in 2009. The conference broke records making this the most responsive student conference for foreign missions since the end of World War II. Tom Lin, Urbana Director for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship said ‘They are ready to make commitments and respond to global challenges.’ Dubbed the ‘Justice Generation’ by leaders here, they say today's students tend to see compassionate ministries as a way into the gospel, not as a result of the gospel the way their grandparents did in the 1960's and 70's. They want to build relationships and create community in which unbelievers can discover Christ as Lord and Saviour. Besides the 4000 that made long-term commitments, 8,815 also ticked boxes saying they will go on short or mid-term missions.
Praise: God for the anointing of so many in making commitments to serve. (Dt.6:13)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13010003.htm
USA: 4000 Students pledge lives to mission service
Some 4,224 students from US and Canadian colleges pledged themselves to long-term missionary service at the close of Urbana 12 on New Year’s Eve, twice as many as the last Student Missionary Conference in 2009. The conference broke records making this the most responsive student conference for foreign missions since the end of World War II. Tom Lin, Urbana Director for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship said ‘They are ready to make commitments and respond to global challenges.’ Dubbed the ‘Justice Generation’ by leaders here, they say today's students tend to see compassionate ministries as a way into the gospel, not as a result of the gospel the way their grandparents did in the 1960's and 70's. They want to build relationships and create community in which unbelievers can discover Christ as Lord and Saviour. Besides the 4000 that made long-term commitments, 8,815 also ticked boxes saying they will go on short or mid-term missions.
Praise: God for the anointing of so many in making commitments to serve. (Dt.6:13)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13010003.htm
Norway: Bible beats Fifty Shades of Grey
The Bible has outsold Fifty Shades of Grey and Justin Bieber's autobiography to top the Norwegian bestseller charts last month for a second year in a row. The new Norwegian translation of the Bible has held the top spot for 54 out of the 56 weeks. Major Norwegian authors, such as Karl Ove Knausgard, were involved in the translation project and its release in October last year was met by huge demand, with some people even queuing overnight to obtain their copy. Ingeborg Mongstad-Kvammen, Bible Society of Norway’s General Secretary, said: 'The stories of the Bible are some of the defining human stories. I hope it will re-engage both ministers and churchgoers in their interaction with the Bible’. It has also inspired a new play by Norway's national theatre company, Det Norske Teatret. The production is being put on to mark the company's centenary and starts on 1 February.
Praise: God for fact that the Bible is still the best-seller.
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bible.beats.fifty.shades.of.grey.in.norway/31268.htm
Norway: Bible beats Fifty Shades of Grey
The Bible has outsold Fifty Shades of Grey and Justin Bieber's autobiography to top the Norwegian bestseller charts last month for a second year in a row. The new Norwegian translation of the Bible has held the top spot for 54 out of the 56 weeks. Major Norwegian authors, such as Karl Ove Knausgard, were involved in the translation project and its release in October last year was met by huge demand, with some people even queuing overnight to obtain their copy. Ingeborg Mongstad-Kvammen, Bible Society of Norway’s General Secretary, said: 'The stories of the Bible are some of the defining human stories. I hope it will re-engage both ministers and churchgoers in their interaction with the Bible’. It has also inspired a new play by Norway's national theatre company, Det Norske Teatret. The production is being put on to mark the company's centenary and starts on 1 February.
Praise: God for fact that the Bible is still the best-seller.
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bible.beats.fifty.shades.of.grey.in.norway/31268.htm
Call for prayer for Belfast after Union flag riots
The Bishop of Down and Dromore is asking Christians to pray following weeks of violence in Belfast over the city council's decision to fly the Union flag on certain days only. Protests have been held over the flag dispute for the last month and the past week has seen an intensification of violence, with rioting causing injury and damage. The Right Rev Harold Miller said the recent unrest had been ‘tragic and difficult’ for Northern Ireland and particularly East Belfast, which falls within the Diocese of Down and Dromore. He said he was ‘deeply concerned’ about the ‘potential trajectory’ of the current situation, in light of the divisions and violence of Northern Ireland's past. ‘Lying behind all of this is the sense in parts of the Loyalist community that they have lost a great deal over the past years, especially in terms of identity, and that has led to a fear of the future being uncertain,’ the bishop said.
Pray: that there would be a breakthrough leading to reconciliation and peace in NI. (2Cor.5:17-19)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/call.for.prayer.for.belfast.after.union.flag.riots/31414.htm
Archbishop launches homelessness initiative in York
The Archbishop of York has launched a new initiative to address homelessness in the city. Dr John Sentamu launched the 'No Second Night Out' initiative at The Salvation Army, Gillygate. 'No Second Night Out' aims to be the link between the homeless, the communities they come from, and the agencies that are able to offer help. The support includes helping rough sleepers to access emergency accommodation and healthcare, and finding long-term solutions to their homelessness. Members of the public are also being encouraged to play an active role by calling a helpline if they see a rough sleeper. The Salvation Army will then attempt to make contact with the rough sleeper and offer them support. In addition to The Salvation Army, the ‘No Second Night Out’ scheme has been developed with the Peasholme Charity, Arc Light, City of York Council, the Foundation, YACRO, Restore and Richmond Fellowship.
Pray: that the needs of the homeless in York and the many other city and town centres with initiatives by church and charities will bring relief to the needy. (Pr.14:21)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/archbishop.launches.homelessness.initiative.in.york/31399.htm