Church bell ringing nationally
Churches all over the country will be ringing out their bells simultaneously for three minutes at 8 am on 27th July as part of the London 2012 Festival in celebration of the beginning of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. On the 19 May the Olympic torch began its journey around the country. Churches in the land are invited to ring their bells as the torch passes. The central council of church bell ringers state on their website, ‘If your bell tower is on the route, you should contact your local authority to tell them that you would like to ring as the torch passes. If the route doesn't pass your tower, but goes through the town, it is still worth contacting your local council to see whether they are planning any events to mark the occasion,that you might be able to contribute to.’
Pray: for a mighty call to ring out from our churches across our nation.
More: http://cccbr.org.uk/olympics/torch-relay/
Dawkins hopes free Bibles will turn kids off Scriptures
Richard Dawkins is backing a scheme to send a commemorative copy of the King James Bible to every state school, but only because he thinks it will turn kids off the scriptures. Last week Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, began sending commemorative copies of the Bibles to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Version. Professor Dawkins says that the initiative is justified because of the historic text’s impact on the English language. The renowned atheist even said that he would have made a financial contribution to the £370,000 scheme if he had been approached. However he made clear that his underlying motive was the hope that the scheme would turn youngsters off the Bible. Prof Dawkins, writing in the Observer, said, ‘I have an ulterior motive for wishing to contribute to Gove’s scheme'. Note: Richard Dawkins recently explained that he is a militant agnostic, not an atheist, as he cannot disprove God’s existence.
Pray: that the Bible will continue to be of abiding importance and read even more in schools(in contemporary versions) because of this publicity. (Heb.4:12)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/dawkins-hopes-free-bibles-will-turn-kids-off-scriptures/
Think tank claims Government is failing families
A leading independent think tank has claimed that the Government is failing to sufficiently support marriage and the family. The Centre for Social Justice, set up by Iain Duncan Smith, has published a report detailing the Governments progress in family-related policies. The report gives the Government only four out of ten for its family policy, stating that, ‘There is still no solid commitment to actively prevent family breakdown or recognition of the important contribution of marriage to stability.’ The report suggests, ‘strong, stable families are central to improving outcomes for our children – and what children want most is to live with both their parents if possible. Strengthening families requires supporting marriage, helping people build strong relationships and providing coordinated help for our most chaotic families. Changing the culture so that family stability is valued by society requires strong governmental leadership and bold decision-making.’
Pray: for the hundreds of Christian initiatives supporting parenting and families and similar proposed government initiatives to make a positive impact on our nations values.(Heb.13:4)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/think-tank-claims-government-is-failing-families
Law Society bans major marriage conference
The Law Society has revoked the booking of a major marriage conference to be held by Christian Concern and others because it is contrary to its ‘diversity’ policy. Christian Concern, which forms part of a family values coalition, the World Congress of Families, was due to host a colloquium at the Law Society on the issue of marriage, entitled ‘One man-One woman. Making the case for marriage for the good of society’. In an astonishing e-mail, Adam Tallis, General Manager of Ampersand at the Law Society, stated that the event ‘is contrary to our diversity policy, espousing as it does an ethos which is opposed to same-sex marriage.’ The Law Society’s decision comes at a time when the debate over the Government’s proposal to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples has reached fever pitch after over half a million people have signed a petition opposing the plans.
Pray: for our country to return to traditional marriage values and may God’s wisdom saturate the law makers at this time. (Is.33:6)
Kirk urged to act to end Gaza 'scandal'
The churches should act together to get the British government to act for an end to the Israeli blockade on Gaza, the Kirk Assembly has agreed. The vote came in response to an amendment to a motion at the Church of Scotland's governing body meeting in Edinburgh. The need for the Kirk's Church and Society Council to work in cooperation with the World Mission Council and UK ecumenical partners to this end was proposed by the Moderator of the General Assembly of theChurch of Scotland, the Rt Rev John Arnott. He spoke of his own direct experience in the territory of Gaza and the sufferings of its people, following Operation Cast Lead and other subsequent developments. ‘Lives are still being wasted, oppression is still happening and children are still dying,’ he declared with quiet passion.
Pray: the Kirk would engage successfully on behalf of the Church in the national, political and social issues affecting Scotland and the world today. (Jas.2:24)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16668
EU summit/Greek poverty/a compromise
The economic crisis in Greece is forcing families to seek help from children's homes.In many cases parents are asking if their children can be taken into care, because they can't afford to look after them. See: The Brussels EU summit didn’t come up with ground breaking decisions to balance fiscal discipline with growth, issuance of Eurobonds or recapitalisation of banks. However they tried to produce something to relax Greek, Irish and Portuguese austerity programmes and start firewalls to soothe market anxiety. The Irish are holding a referendum on 31 May over the fiscal pact; Greece votes on 17th June to decide in or out of Eurozone. America says, ‘What happens in Greece has a direct impact in the US.’ The economy was the main issue not only in the G8 council in Camp David but also occupied a central position in the military alliance's meeting in Chicago. The past week has been pivotal for the continent of Europe.
Pray: for those who preside over these and future events to be aligned with God’s purposes.(Ps.119:169)
More: http://www.neurope.eu/article/eu-summit-towards-compromise
EU summit/Greek poverty/a compromise
The economic crisis in Greece is forcing families to seek help from children's homes.In many cases parents are asking if their children can be taken into care, because they can't afford to look after them. See: The Brussels EU summit didn’t come up with ground breaking decisions to balance fiscal discipline with growth, issuance of Eurobonds or recapitalisation of banks. However they tried to produce something to relax Greek, Irish and Portuguese austerity programmes and start firewalls to soothe market anxiety. The Irish are holding a referendum on 31 May over the fiscal pact; Greece votes on 17th June to decide in or out of Eurozone. America says, ‘What happens in Greece has a direct impact in the US.’ The economy was the main issue not only in the G8 council in Camp David but also occupied a central position in the military alliance's meeting in Chicago. The past week has been pivotal for the continent of Europe.
Pray: for those who preside over these and future events to be aligned with God’s purposes.(Ps.119:169)
More: http://www.neurope.eu/article/eu-summit-towards-compromise
Macedonia: Persecution of Serbian Church
On Thursday, May 24th 17 Serbian Orthodox monks, nuns and other believers were released from prison, having been detained for two days on alleged tax evasion charges. Churches and Monasteries have been systematically raided recently as part of a fresh crackdown on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. Rights investigators have linked these and other raids to the government's refusal to register the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. An Interior Ministry blacklist lists over 20 Serbian Orthodox bishops banned from entering Macedonia. The Serbian Orthodox Church Synod in Belgrade condemned as ‘political and not judicial’ the sentence of two and half years to Archbishop Jovan, in Idrizovo prison. It’s not clear how the EU will react to these developments. Macedonia is seeking membership of the EU and the NATO military alliance. Tensions over religious and national identities are a left-over of the 1990’s Balkan wars.
Pray: against the desire to eradicate the Church in Macedonia, and pray for a modern and democratic approach to Christianity. (Ps.135:13)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/21798-breaking-news-macedonia-frees-nuns-monks-but-confiscates-passports
Macedonia: Persecution of Serbian Church
On Thursday, May 24th 17 Serbian Orthodox monks, nuns and other believers were released from prison, having been detained for two days on alleged tax evasion charges. Churches and Monasteries have been systematically raided recently as part of a fresh crackdown on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. Rights investigators have linked these and other raids to the government's refusal to register the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. An Interior Ministry blacklist lists over 20 Serbian Orthodox bishops banned from entering Macedonia. The Serbian Orthodox Church Synod in Belgrade condemned as ‘political and not judicial’ the sentence of two and half years to Archbishop Jovan, in Idrizovo prison. It’s not clear how the EU will react to these developments. Macedonia is seeking membership of the EU and the NATO military alliance. Tensions over religious and national identities are a left-over of the 1990’s Balkan wars.
Pray: against the desire to eradicate the Church in Macedonia, and pray for a modern and democratic approach to Christianity. (Ps.135:13)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/21798-breaking-news-macedonia-frees-nuns-monks-but-confiscates-passports
Egypt: Coptic Christians live in garbage city
Coptic Christians are 11-15% of Egypt’s population and the largest Christian community in the Middle East. The Zabbaleen, known in Arabic as ‘the garbage collectors,’ are the largest single concentration of Egyptian Coptics (70,000). For eight generations they have been Cairo’s unofficial trash collectors, living in harsh conditions harvesting garbage from streets and businesses and transporting it to their communities in the hills where it is sorted and sold. Father Samaan Ibrahim presides over the Zabbaleen’s ‘garbage city. His church has supported many of the social services vital to the Zabbaleen people since the 1970’s. Like many in Egypt Samaan is uneasy about the future. Sectarian attacks have increased over the past year and conditions in the community have not improved since the fall of Hosni Mubarak’s government. ‘We are awaiting the new constitution that we might expect something good for us in it, especially the article concerning building churches in Egypt,’ he says. The building or repair of churches is outlawed.
Pray: for those who are and may become leaders in Egypt to represent the values of a society which God can bless; and for positive reforms for Christians.(1Tim. 2:1-2)