RE is being 'killed off' in schools - report
The future of religious education in schools looks ‘bleak’ unless the Government takes remedial action, a new report has warned. The report by the National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE) says that RE was already being marginalised as a result of Education Secretary Michael Gove's decision to leave it out of the English Baccalaureate (EBac). RE has been a core subject for all pupils since 1870, but NATRE warned that it is ‘set to disappear’ from the curriculum of many secondary schools. Its survey of nearly 2,000 state maintained secondary schools found that a quarter are not providing statutory RE for 14 to 16-year-olds, a statistic that is expected to rise during the 2011/2012 academic year. The report stated that entries to GCSE level RE have dropped by more than a third in academies and community schools in the last year. In schools where entry levels fell, more than half attributed the drop to RE being excluded from the EBac. (See Prayer Alert 11-2011)
Pray: that this report will lead the Government to take action to encourage the return of RE as a core subject. (Dt.4:9)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/re.is.being.killed.off.in.schools.report/28218.htm
Scotland tops world cocaine use
The Scottish government said levels of cocaine use had been falling as Scotland has again topped the world league for cocaine consumption. Figures published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) show 3.9% of Scottish residents aged between 16 and 64 used the drug in the past year. That was a higher proportion than in any other country and compares to 2.5% for England and Wales. The figures also showed Scotland with a rate of heroin use twice that of the rest of the United Kingdom. The UN's annual World Drug Report was published in New York as part of the organisation's attempt to understand the trans-national nature of the drug trade which, it says, requires to be tackled globally. Pray: for the authorities to get a grip of this problem. (1Jn.2:26)
Greece: Legalities could sink bailout
A case against the EU deal has been brought by German plaintiffs, and the Greek vote could mean nothing if a court case launched by a group of German citizens derails Germany’s financial contribution to the bailout. The group, led by a member of parliament for the Christian Social Union party, includes legal academics led by Nuremberg constitutional law professor Karl Albrecht Schachtschneider. They argue that the bailout is unconstitutional both in German and European law. In the first instance, they argue the process by which the €22bn contribution to the Greek bailout package that was approved by Germany was improper. Also the moves infringe upon their rights as German citizens. They lean on article 125 of the Lisbon Treaty ’no bailout’ clause which expressly forbids the EU or a member state from undertaking the responsibility of covering the debts of another member state. Pray: for all that is hidden to be revealed and for leaders to use sound judgment and Godly insights pronouncements. (Pr.8:14-16) More: http://www.cityam.com/wealth-management/legal-battle-could-yet-sink-the-greek-bailout
Greece: Legalities could sink bailout
A case against the EU deal has been brought by German plaintiffs, and the Greek vote could mean nothing if a court case launched by a group of German citizens derails Germany’s financial contribution to the bailout. The group, led by a member of parliament for the Christian Social Union party, includes legal academics led by Nuremberg constitutional law professor Karl Albrecht Schachtschneider. They argue that the bailout is unconstitutional both in German and European law. In the first instance, they argue the process by which the €22bn contribution to the Greek bailout package that was approved by Germany was improper. Also the moves infringe upon their rights as German citizens. They lean on article 125 of the Lisbon Treaty ’no bailout’ clause which expressly forbids the EU or a member state from undertaking the responsibility of covering the debts of another member state. Pray: for all that is hidden to be revealed and for leaders to use sound judgment and Godly insights pronouncements. (Pr.8:14-16) More: http://www.cityam.com/wealth-management/legal-battle-could-yet-sink-the-greek-bailout
Dozens of languages still waiting for Bible translations in...Europe?
When you hear ‘unreached people groups,’ you probably think of tribes in Africa and Asia, or of small communities of rural people. But seldom might Europe cross your mind. It's easy to think that in Europe, anyone who can afford a Bible can access one in their own language. But there are dozens of languages used by a marginalized community that have no Bible translation. The Deaf population in Europe consists of roughly 900,000 people, according to a 2010 report. Across the continent there are about 70 different Sign Languages used. Bible translation projects are underway in over 20 Sign Languages in Europe through various agencies, but many others have yet to access the Word. In an effort to reach this unreached community, Wycliffe Bible Translators is embarking on a survey regarding the European Deaf community. Currently, Wycliffe needs more language surveyors for work in this area. Pray: for the work of Wycliffe as it seeks ways to translate Sign Languages across Europe. (1Pet.1:23)
Dozens of languages still waiting for Bible translations in...Europe?
When you hear ‘unreached people groups,’ you probably think of tribes in Africa and Asia, or of small communities of rural people. But seldom might Europe cross your mind. It's easy to think that in Europe, anyone who can afford a Bible can access one in their own language. But there are dozens of languages used by a marginalized community that have no Bible translation. The Deaf population in Europe consists of roughly 900,000 people, according to a 2010 report. Across the continent there are about 70 different Sign Languages used. Bible translation projects are underway in over 20 Sign Languages in Europe through various agencies, but many others have yet to access the Word. In an effort to reach this unreached community, Wycliffe Bible Translators is embarking on a survey regarding the European Deaf community. Currently, Wycliffe needs more language surveyors for work in this area. Pray: for the work of Wycliffe as it seeks ways to translate Sign Languages across Europe. (1Pet.1:23)
Botswana: South African outreach
A month of outreach by South African Christians in areas where ancestral spirit worship is very strong has been blessed with 2,600 people giving their lives to Christ. Praise God! The organisers of this outreach have asked for prayer for the new Christians needing discipling to know the leading of God's Holy Spirit. Pray also for the local churches working under very difficult circumstances with no regular financial income, some without transport walking long distances between villages to do follow-up visits to cattle posts and small hamlets. They are doing this because they believe and know that there is eternal life after death and they want to guide and teach their people about these things. Pray for God to give them the courage and endurance to continue working in the Lord’s harvest field.
Pray: for Africa's most stable country with relative freedom from corruption and good human rights records would see powerful spiritual revival. (Is.44:2-4)
Haiti: Another cholera outbreak
Last week, the Pan-American Health Organization issued a statement saying that 2,600 people were infected with cholera every week.(Oxfam said the number of deaths is lower than last year as people can get help faster.) Basic hygiene plays a crucial role in prevention, but in many poor communities, especially in the rural areas where the Baptist Haiti Mission serves, people don't have dependable access to supplies like bleach and other disinfectants. The Civil Protection Department called the situation critical and the Red Cross reopened a cholera treatment centre near Port-au-Prince. The Health organisation reported, ‘The situation in Port-au-Prince continues to deteriorate. They continue to receive new patients through the day. An estimate of 1,300 patients is currently admitted in units in Port-au-Prince who are operating at full capacity. The service for dead body management is now functioning between 6am and 9pm. Pray: that the resources of aid agencies would contain the disease and establish systems and structures to eradicate it. (Ps.103:3)
Kenya: Eternal life via canoe
Mfangano Island, on Lake Victoria, is home to a small tribe called the Suba. A few weeks ago, more than one thousand people gathered at a local orphanage to dedicate the newly translated Suba New Testament, a task that took nineteen years to complete. No one was happier than the lead translator, Naphtaly, who had worked so hard and grieved the death of some of the initial translators. The Bibles were brought in by canoe, a symbol of life for the island. Emotions ran high as people jumped and cheered, rushing to purchase copies of the book that talks about eternal life. The celebration continued for hours with singing, dancing, speeches, and food.
Praise: God for the blessings of His Word that brings life. (1Jn.1:1)
Kenya: Eternal life via canoe
Mfangano Island, on Lake Victoria, is home to a small tribe called the Suba. A few weeks ago, more than one thousand people gathered at a local orphanage to dedicate the newly translated Suba New Testament, a task that took nineteen years to complete. No one was happier than the lead translator, Naphtaly, who had worked so hard and grieved the death of some of the initial translators. The Bibles were brought in by canoe, a symbol of life for the island. Emotions ran high as people jumped and cheered, rushing to purchase copies of the book that talks about eternal life. The celebration continued for hours with singing, dancing, speeches, and food.
Praise: God for the blessings of His Word that brings life. (1Jn.1:1)