When Sean, a preacher’s son, was stirred by the Sermon on the Mount, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’, it became God’s call for him to reach out to the margins of society. I Both in the UK and in other parts of the world, he launched God’s Squad motorcycle clubs, sharing the message of Christ with those whom many regard as misfits. It helped that Sean loved bikes himself. His mission widened to embrace the homeless and others struggling to make sense of life. Their ‘church’ Zack’s Place, named after the tax collector Jesus loved, is in a Swansea backstreet. Regulars are encouraged to pour out their troubles in a caring atmosphere where love and concern are demonstrated in more than words. Informal services are in a bar-style setting where meals are shared and spiritual food for thought is served.

Almost 20% of unaccompanied child migrants from Albania in Kent County Council care have disappeared this year. Out of 197 children, 39 are missing. Ecpat UK, which campaigns to protect children from exploitation, said the figures were very concerning. The council said it worked closely with the Home Office and police to safeguard vulnerable children, but it can be very difficult to prevent some children from going missing. They attempt to identify beforehand any who are vulnerable to exploitation, and when a child is found they perform a debriefing to learn any lessons. The council felt under pressure over the number of asylum-seeking children it is required to take on, sometimes refusing to accept any more, with services at breaking point. Meanwhile children face labour exploitation in construction work, car washes, drug distribution, or the sex industry. The challenge of safeguarding children remains very real.

Immigration is a reality of national life. London has 10,000+ people of over fifty various nationalities. Many Brits struggle to welcome immigrants, who often struggle to adjust to life in the UK. Pray for society to face the challenges of many cultures living together in peace. Immigrants from Christian nations like Nigeria and Brazil bring new church life and church growth. Pray for local congregations to plant new churches, reach new peoples, and glorify Jesus as they partner with believers from many lands. Sadly, England's inner cities are becoming physical and spiritual wastelands of drugs and crime. Dying churches and empty churches have been converted to mosques, temples, or gurdwaras as white evangelicals move to the suburbs. Inner-city whites in poverty and joblessness have few prospects. Pray for God to raise an army of workers to meet the many needs of impoverished and often troubled areas.

Health officials want parents to be aware of an infection called strep A that children are dying from. Since Covid restrictions eased, there are more opportunities for other infections to spread. Strep A cases are increasing. The highly contagious bacterium can cause serious illness and complications. Many carry it harmlessly without even knowing they have it. It can be spread to others with a cough or sneeze. Most often, symptoms are mild - a sore throat or a skin infection which can be easily treated with antibiotics. But strep A can cause a range of serious illnesses like scarlet fever; nine children have died recently. Health professionals must tell local protection teams of suspected scarlet fever cases so that they can be treated quickly and possible outbreaks brought under control. Cases have risen tenfold this year, but the UK has ‘good’ antibiotic supplies amid shortage fears.

Over fifty officers were involved in an operation at a Russian businessman's multi-million-pound London home to investigate potential criminal activity by oligarchs. They arrested a 58-year-old man on suspicion of money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the Home Office, and conspiracy to commit perjury. He was also charged with obstructing an officer when trying to leave with a bag containing thousands of pounds in cash. Another man who is the former boyfriend of the businessman's current partner was arrested at his home in Pimlico for money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. The National Crime Agency (NCA), which was established this year, is having ‘significant success’ investigating potential criminal activity by oligarchs.

Michael Lockwood has led the Office for Police Conduct as director general since 2018, handling the most serious complaints against police in England and Wales. Now he has been forced to resign after becoming the subject of a police investigation himself. The Home Secretary took action after learning of a probe into a historical allegation against Lockwood. He was asked either to resign or be suspended. No further information about the nature of the allegation was given. Home Office staff are now working to ‘put in place temporary arrangements for the organisation's leadership’.

Thousands of disabled people live in unsuitable homes, while cities fail to plan for wheelchair users. Three of the ten largest cities have no requirements beyond national guidelines, which only provide wheelchair users access through entrance doors and hallways on ground level. Disabled people face long housing searches, huge extra costs to convert accommodation, or living in a dangerous home. The Equality and Human Rights Commission said failure to plan for fully accessible homes is a ‘hidden crisis’ in housing for disabled people. The government said it will strengthen the national standards. As the number of disabled people increases, it is estimated that 400,000 wheelchair users in England alone are living in unsuitable accommodation. Many of our disabled cannot live independently. They cannot afford the huge costs for adaptations or specialist accommodation; some can’t even use parts of their own homes without someone coming in to help them.

The UK has snow and ice warnings in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the east coast of England. Forecasts of icy temperatures will last until at least early next week, possibly beyond.  if people cannot heat every room or are struggling with heating costs, they are being advised by health officials to heat living rooms during the day and bedrooms before going to sleep. Pray for enough shelters to be provided for the homeless people. Pray for the elderly and sick to have plenty of hot food and drinks to keep warm and to stay warm regardless of heating costs. Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action called on the Government to step in with more help for those at greatest peril this winter: pray for the Government to listen and act. Pray for more ‘warm banks’ to be established, providing heated buildings for people to visit.

The Archbishop of Canterbury visited Bucha and saw evidence of atrocities and civilian killings by Russian troops, as millions of people remain without power or heating after attacks on Ukraine's power grid. The most senior cleric in the Church of England was highlighting the need for support for Ukraine ahead of a tough winter. ‘I am clear that Putin chose to start the war and release the evil that comes from that’, he said. It is proper to support a ‘victim nation’ that is ‘being overrun by aggression’. Stating that the international community had a ‘duty of care’ to protect weaker nations, he said that the consequences of letting Ukraine down would be ‘infinitely worse’ than carrying on the support for Kyiv. ‘It would be more expensive and politically catastrophic because it would prove that Putin was right when he thought the West would not stand together for long enough for this to end justly and fairly.’

In a stunning announcement, President Zelenskiy said he intends to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from Ukraine. His decision came on the heels of an investigation into the church's ties with ‘the Patriarchate in Russia.’ Ukraine will also ban the activities of any religious organisation affiliated with ‘centres of influence’ within Russia. `We will ensure for our state the fullness of independence - in particular, spiritual independence. We will never allow anyone to build an empire inside the Ukrainian soul’, Zelensky said. Orthodox Christians are the largest demographic in Ukraine. There have been some internal disagreements about who they support in the war between Ukraine and Russia, and Zelensky fears Russia may be using the church to plant agents in the church to undermine Ukraine’s war effort. The majority of Orthodox leaders have announced their support for Ukraine, and Ukraine’s Orthodox Church announced its full independence from Moscow’s Patriarchate. It does not support Russia’s invasion.