Charity calls for new kind of rental contract
The housing and homelessness charity Shelter has called for a new kind of tenancy to be introduced across the rental market in England. The Stable Rental Contract would provide greater stability to the growing numbers of people who rent their homes from a private landlord, says the charity. It would also provide landlords with more certainty of a good return on their investment. Shelter’s proposals are outlined in a new report, ‘A better deal? Towards more stable private renting.’ The changes could be introduced immediately within the existing legal framework for private renting in England, without the need for new laws. Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of Shelter, said: ‘With a generation priced out of home ownership, renting is the only choice for growing numbers of people but with the possibility of eviction with just two months’ notice, and constant worries about when the next rent rise will hit, the current rental market isn’t giving people – particularly families – the stability they need to put down roots.
Pray: that this initiative will well received and form the basis of a new rental agreement throughout the country. (2Sa.7:10)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17069
'Banks corrupt the people who work for them'
The Church of England has claimed that banks corrupt the people who work for them. In a scathing report, the Church argues that banking employees with high moral values are being encouraged to leave them at the office door. It is now calling for a debate on whether, instead of few 'bad apples' being weeded out, the 'whole orchard need replanting'. The submission, to the parliamentary commission on banking standards, urges City workers to draw a lesson from fishermen who risk losing money by cutting their nets adrift to aid rivals whose boats get into trouble. 'There is evidence that in many professions, but notably in finance and banking, practitioners who have a strong moral sense which they seek to live by in their private lives believe that such standards and ethics are impossible to apply in the corporate world.
Pray: that the banking community will recognise that building on good moral and ethical standards will bring benefits such as confidence and trust from their customers. (1Co.15:58)
More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2207470/Banks-corrupt-people-work-Church-England-submits-scathing-report-life-City.html
Victory for pro-lifers in key freedom of expression case
A District Judge, sitting at Brighton Magistrates' Court announced today that all charges were being dismissed against Christian pro-life campaigner Andy Stephenson. The case against his fellow campaigner, Kathryn Sloane, was dismissed on Thursday of last week (13 Sep) during the same trial. All charges against both campaigners have therefore now been dismissed. District Judge Nicholson's reasoning in the case is expected at 2pm tomorrow (18 Sep). Andy and Kathryn were supported by the Christian Legal Centre and were represented in Court by human rights barrister Paul Diamond and Mr Michael Phillips. Andy and Kathryn, members of the campaign group Abort67, were arrested in June 2011, whilst demonstrating silently in the vicinity of Wistons Clinic, operated by leading abortion provider BPAS, in Brighton. As part of Abort67's public education project, the group, which has held peaceful protests outside the clinic for five years, displays images of aborted babies but does so silently and without harassment.
Praise: God that the judgment of the court has led to a dropping of the charges against the two protesters. (Ps.7:17)
Victory for pro-lifers in key freedom of expression case
A District Judge, sitting at Brighton Magistrates' Court announced today that all charges were being dismissed against Christian pro-life campaigner Andy Stephenson. The case against his fellow campaigner, Kathryn Sloane, was dismissed on Thursday of last week (13 Sep) during the same trial. All charges against both campaigners have therefore now been dismissed. District Judge Nicholson's reasoning in the case is expected at 2pm tomorrow (18 Sep). Andy and Kathryn were supported by the Christian Legal Centre and were represented in Court by human rights barrister Paul Diamond and Mr Michael Phillips. Andy and Kathryn, members of the campaign group Abort67, were arrested in June 2011, whilst demonstrating silently in the vicinity of Wistons Clinic, operated by leading abortion provider BPAS, in Brighton. As part of Abort67's public education project, the group, which has held peaceful protests outside the clinic for five years, displays images of aborted babies but does so silently and without harassment.
Praise: God that the judgment of the court has led to a dropping of the charges against the two protesters. (Ps.7:17)
Prayer vigil shuts down brothel
Elyse knew she needed to do something. Her world was turned upside down by a DVD she watched on human trafficking. Together with two Operation Mobilisation team mates, she jumped into the car and headed to a brothel 10 minutes away. ‘Our plan that night was just to go out and pray,’ explains Elyse. ‘But we soon realized it was more serious than we knew and we decided to come back every single night.’ Thus began a month of prayer, with a small group posted across the street from the brothel each night, praying for those inside. A month after praying began, the signs were removed, a notice was put on the door and the brothel was shut down. The team couldn’t believe it at first; they continued to pray another night before actually reading the sign on the door that confirmed it.
Praise: God for how He speaks to us and teaches us how to pray. (1Pet.4:11)
More: http://www.lhfministries.com/4/post/2012/08/prayer-vigil-shuts-down-uk-brothel.html
Prayer vigil shuts down brothel
Elyse knew she needed to do something. Her world was turned upside down by a DVD she watched on human trafficking. Together with two Operation Mobilisation team mates, she jumped into the car and headed to a brothel 10 minutes away. ‘Our plan that night was just to go out and pray,’ explains Elyse. ‘But we soon realized it was more serious than we knew and we decided to come back every single night.’ Thus began a month of prayer, with a small group posted across the street from the brothel each night, praying for those inside. A month after praying began, the signs were removed, a notice was put on the door and the brothel was shut down. The team couldn’t believe it at first; they continued to pray another night before actually reading the sign on the door that confirmed it.
Praise: God for how He speaks to us and teaches us how to pray. (1Pet.4:11)
More: http://www.lhfministries.com/4/post/2012/08/prayer-vigil-shuts-down-uk-brothel.html
National Day of Prayer: Samaritan’s Purse on their way to Wembley
Samaritan’s Purse UK is joining thousands of believers on their way to Wembley Stadium for the National Day of Prayer and Worship (NDOP) on September 29th, when the Christian charity will be leading prayers for some of the poorest and most vulnerable children around the world, reports Peter Wooding, Europe Bureau Chief for Assist News Service. ‘We are
really excited to be part of this historic event, where we will be highlighting the plight of some of the neediest children around the globe,’ said Samaritan’s Purse UK Executive Director Simon Barrington. On September 29th, as tens of thousands of Christians gather together at Wembley, there will be a time of prayer for the children in over 105 countries who’ll be receiving gift-filled shoeboxes through this year’s Operation Christmas Child campaign. ‘We will also praise God and celebrate all that’s been done through the 94 million shoeboxes that have been delivered to needy children through Operation Christmas Child over the past 22 years.
Pray: for the NDOP and especially for the work of Samaritan’s Purse. (Gal.2:10)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue17393.html
Religious people experiencing 'unfair treatment' in Britain
The early findings into a study on perceptions of religious equality in Britain has identified ‘substantial reporting of unfair treatment on the basis of religion’. The team is surveying religious organisations in England and Wales and has so far carried out interviews with individuals in Cardiff, Blackburn, Newham and Norwich. Recent legal cases will also be reviewed by the team. Preliminary findings are being presented at a series of 'knowledge exchange workshops' taking place in Derby, Oxford, Cardiff, Manchester and London between now and November. The University of Manchester, which is taking part in the research project, said in a press release that the project's initial findings had identified ‘substantial reporting of unfair treatment on the basis of religion or belief continuing across key areas of people’s lives’. New examples of unfair treatment are being reported by Christians, it said, with evidence pointing to an increase in issues relating to Sunday working.
Pray: that the results of this survey and others showing that Christians are being sidelined will lead to an acceptance of the truth. (2Co.12:10)
Belfast riots and the peace process
The recent outbreak of rioting in North Belfast was an indication that the political peace process had not yet completed the transformation of society in the area, according to Methodist minister the Rev Dr Gary Mason. In an article for last week’s Methodist Recorder (‘Displaying grace and building community’, September 7) Dr Mason had written presciently that peacemakers were ‘haunted’ by the notion that the peace process ‘could simply result in a form of benign apartheid, with segregation now worse than it was when the conflict began in 1968. The reality is that on the ground in the inner city that is pretty much the picture.’ He also said that many ‘peace walls’ had been built separating communities since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Pray: that the peace process will not cease but continue to move forward to complete its transformation. (Ro.12:2)
More: http://www.methodistrecorder.co.uk/mrhlines.htm
Home Secretary condemns 'savage' PC killings
The deaths of two unarmed police officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has ‘devastated’ the force, Home Secretary Theresa May has said. Mrs May condemned the ‘savage acts of pure brutality’ that led to the deaths of PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes. They suffered fatal injuries in a gun and grenade attack on Tuesday morning. Mrs May cut short her holiday to travel back to the UK to visit GMP's headquarters. Speaking on Wednesday evening, Mrs May said: ‘(The attacks) have left grieving families, they have devastated Greater Manchester police force. They were incredibly brave and their deaths remind us what police officers can face every day.’ Eyewitnesses said a hail of bullets was fired and then a grenade was used during the attack. Police have been given more time to question 29-year-old Dale Cregan on suspicion of their murders. He had been the subject of a huge manhunt following two murders earlier this year of a father and son in separate attacks in the area. A 28-year-old man is also being held on conspiracy to commit murder.
Pray: especially for the families of the two police officers at this time. Pray for the authorities that they make wise decisions as the seek ways of combating such crimes.
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-19657784