Tax plea to Chancellor
Church representatives delivered a letter to Chancellor George Osborne on Monday asking the Government to tackle tax avoidance in order to ‘close the gap’ between the rich and the poor in the UK. Among the signatories was the President of the Methodist Conference, the Rev Leo Osborn. While welcoming the Coalition Government’s commitment to protect the poorest and most vulnerable people from the impact of the current spending cuts, Church leaders said they were concerned that the cuts were nevertheless having a ‘severe impact’ on many of the people they worked with on a daily basis. ‘In this climate, as Churches, Christian organisations and individual Christians, we are increasingly concerned about the impact that tax avoidance and tax evasion are having on the public purse,’ they said.
Pray: that tax avoidance will be tackled by the Chancellor and Government. (2Cor.8:13)
Tatchell defends demoted Christian
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has come to the defence of a Christian housing manager who was demoted over remarks he made on Facebook opposing same-sex marriages. (See Prayer Alert 43-2011) This is the fourth time that Tatchell has come to the defence of Christians who have become embroiled in controversy. Last year he spoke in defence of Dale McAlpine a street preacher. He also opposed the prosecutions of Harry Hammond and Shawn Holes. In the latest case, Adrian Smith, a Christian, was found guilty of gross misconduct by the publicly funded Trafford Housing Trust saying that allowing gay weddings in churches was ‘an equality too far’. Also at the weekend another gay rights group criticised Trafford Housing Trust and urged the Trust to give Mr Smith his job back. The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, said: ‘Trafford Housing may have acted with the best of intentions here, but we believe they have overreacted.’
Pray: with thanks for those who have spoken out against the overreaction by many under the guise of equality and that Adrian Smith would redeem his rightful seniority. (Ps.66:1-3)
Target for 1,000 ‘Mission Resolutions’
Church Mission Society is looking for 1,000 people to make Kingdom-minded resolutions this New Year. The ‘We Are Saying Yes’ campaign is being launched to inspire people to make resolutions that put a bit more of God’s mission into their everyday life. Some of the suggestions on the campaign website including praying for the person in front in the supermarket queue, joining a campaign, making friends with someone of another faith, and fasting from impulse buys. CMS web manager Jeremy Woodham said: ‘So many people have given up making resolutions because they think they’ll never keep them. We’re giving people the chance to make a resolution that matters – and providing a space for them to share tips, ask for prayer and tell their stories. We think the impact of 1,000 people taking a small step in mission could have a fantastic ripple effect.’
Pray: for many more than 1,000 people to commit to this original approach to mission. (Is.48:15)
Target brothels to combat trafficking say campaigners
Campaigners against sex trafficking have warned that unless there is a crackdown on brothels in Britain sex trafficking will rise in the UK. The Poppy Project has urged police to prioritise brothels as an urgent target because they create an environment where trafficking can thrive. The call comes after a Romanian father and son, Bogdan and Marius Nejloveanu, were jailed recently for trafficking five young women to England. The son, Marius, was given 21 years for repeatedly raping and beating the women, the longest sentence for trafficking in the UK. The Poppy Project’s spokesman, Abigail Stepnitz, called on police to urgently target brothels masquerading as saunas, massage parlours and private flats. According to the Observer, almost 6,000 have been identified in England and Wales. There are 17,000 migrants working in UK brothels, according to a report completed by the Association of Chief Police Officers last year. Pray: against the evil that seeks to make profit from this form of human slavery. (Ps.34:16) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/target-brothels-to-combat-trafficking-say-campaigners/
Tackling poverty and injustice in York
Backed by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, the Fairness Commission has been launched in an effort to ensure the wellbeing of every resident in the city and to ensure no-one is left out of a job. Dr Sentamu opened the first of a series of public meetings for the new organisation this week. The meeting gave an opportunity for key stakeholders across the city to give their views. The Archbishop said that a society can be judged by how it looks after the poor and vulnerable. He added: ‘I am so encouraged by the establishment of this Fairness Commission for York – and so proud to be its patron. ‘Indeed, it is a great privilege to be asked to open this ‘Fairness debate’ in this great city of ours. As our country goes through tough economic times we need to remember that not all in our society are greatly privileged.
Pray: for the Commission, all who will contribute to it and the success of its work. (Job.5:16)
Swimming lessons during Ramadan
Swimming lessons in some Staffordshire schools should stop during Ramadan to ensure Muslim pupils ‘do not swallow water’ suggests Stoke-on-Trent City Council in an 11-page Ramadan Guide. It says swimming is acceptable to Muslims but poses a high risk of swallowing water that may break a fast. It also suggests re-scheduling sex education classes during the holy lunar month, as Muslim followers who have reached puberty are required to avoid sexual thoughts during this period. Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society said the guidance is out of proportion.’Surely it should be possible for Muslim pupils to be withdrawn from those elements of the school day that they don't want to participate in without imposing these restrictions on everybody, Muslim or not. Rearranging the whole school routine for a whole month to satisfy the religious needs of a few is totally. Pray: that the city council will think again even as the National Secular Society suggests.
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10596808