Olympic mega-mosque
The first planning clash over what is known as the ‘Olympic mega-mosque’ is set to take place at a major public inquiry in the New Year. This inquiry is into the current use of the West Ham site of the proposed mega-mosque by separatist Islamic sect Tablighi Jamaat. A pre-inquiry meeting is being held on Thursday 11 November at Newham Town Hall. In February Newham Council ordered Tablighi Jamaat off the site which is owned by the Muslim group and is half a mile from the main 2010 Olympic stadium. They are currently and unlawfully using it for a temporary mosque and have erected buildings on site without planning permission. The website sensibly expresses reasons for opposition to the mosque’s construction. Pray: that the fomentors of anti-Christian bias in Newham will be restrained by law at the 2011 Inquiry. (Ps.7:9) More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/islam/olympic-mega-mosque-public-inquiry
Resignation of Anglican bishops
The Archbishop of Canterbury accepted ‘with regret’ the resignation of Church of England bishops planning to convert to Roman Catholicism in protest over the ordination of women bishops and joining a network that will allow them to retain some Anglican traditions. The move involves three serving bishops, who minister to parishes opposed to female clergy, and two retired bishops. The serving bishops are the bishop of Ebbsfleet, Andrew Burnham, the bishop of Richborough, Keith Newton and the bishop of Fulham, John Broadhurst. They will be joined by the former bishop of Richborough, Edwin Barnes, and a former Australian bishop, David Silk. All wanted more accommodation from the Anglican Church for opponents of women clergy. Groups within the Church of England have been campaigning for female clerics to become bishops without any concessions that would undermine their authority. Traditionalists and conservative evangelicals oppose the historic change, claiming the concept of women bishops runs contrary to doctrine. Pray: that these issues will not hinder the spreading of the Gospel message. (Phl.1:27) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/08/archbishop-canterbury-accepts-bishops-resignation
Churches that serve rural communities
Rural Presence is the new interactive website for Christians engaged in rural mission. It provides a forum for all Christians to share good news stories and information about the church in rural communities. The aim is to encourage and inspire mission and discipleship in rural churches. By sharing the wealth of ideas and practical approaches from churches around Britain it is hoped that an effective Christian presence can be promoted and sustained in the countryside. ‘This site offers an opportunity to share in all that is good and exciting about the rural church,’ said Rev Graham Jones, National Rural Officer for the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. ‘Whether it’s setting up community cinemas or hosting local post offices, the opportunities for rural churches to serve their communities are endless. We want to resource, enthuse and inspire Christians to think differently about their ministry in the countryside.’ Experiences may be shared at www.ruralpresence.org.uk where creative ideas can be found. Pray: for the mission and work of rural churches and for their leaders. (Ac.16:5) More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=474
A Day of Light and Darkness
November 9 is the day in 1938 when Hitler’s gangs attacked Jewish property in a prelude to the Holocaust, and the very same day 51 years later when the wall dividing East and West was breached, signaling the end of the cold war. People lined up in Berlin for an exhibition of photographs celebrating the opening of the Bornholmer Strasse border crossing in 1989. Nov 9 has always presented the dilemma of how to celebrate the joy of the wall’s coming down while at the same time commemorating the night of terror known as Kristallnacht, or the night of broken glass. ‘I think it’s the beginning in the shift in narrative,’ said Deidre Berger, director of the American Jewish Committee’s Berlin office. ‘It’s a concern of what young people know about this day.’ The nightly news seemed to support her view, reporting Germany’s celebrating the wall coming down, followed by a report on the ‘Jewish community’ marking Kristallnacht. Pray: that the world may always remember the devastating lessons of fascism and genocide. (Ps.107:39) More: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/world/europe/10germany.html?_r=1&ref=global-home
Pope sees antichurch sentiment in Spain
Pope Benedict XVI strongly criticized the ‘aggressive’ antichurch sentiment that he said was flourishing in Spain as he sought to rekindle the faith in a once staunchly Roman Catholic nation that is now among Europe’s most liberal. The Church is fighting laws supported by Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s Socialist government that have allowed same-sex marriage, expedited divorce and eased restrictions on abortions. The pope’s first stop on a two-day trip that began on 6 November was in the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela. Pope Benedict told reporters that the anticlericalism seen now in Spain was reminiscent of the 1930s, when the church suffered a wave of violence and persecution as the country lurched into civil war. The reference was striking given the scale of violence then, when the Roman Catholic Church claims that 4,184 clergy members were killed, accused of backing Franco’s fascist dictatorship. Pray: that the Pope’s visit will strengthen the faith of the Spanish nation. (1Co.16:13) More: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/world/europe/07pope.html?ref=europe
Pope sees antichurch sentiment in Spain
Pope Benedict XVI strongly criticized the ‘aggressive’ antichurch sentiment that he said was flourishing in Spain as he sought to rekindle the faith in a once staunchly Roman Catholic nation that is now among Europe’s most liberal. The Church is fighting laws supported by Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s Socialist government that have allowed same-sex marriage, expedited divorce and eased restrictions on abortions. The pope’s first stop on a two-day trip that began on 6 November was in the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela. Pope Benedict told reporters that the anticlericalism seen now in Spain was reminiscent of the 1930s, when the church suffered a wave of violence and persecution as the country lurched into civil war. The reference was striking given the scale of violence then, when the Roman Catholic Church claims that 4,184 clergy members were killed, accused of backing Franco’s fascist dictatorship. Pray: that the Pope’s visit will strengthen the faith of the Spanish nation. (1Co.16:13) More: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/world/europe/07pope.html?ref=europe
India: Girls rescued out of trafficking
Three girls from different states of India, sold off to brothels in Solapur city a few months ago, were rescued last week by Indian Rescue Mission (IRM), an organization that rescues minor girls forced into prostitution and offers justice and rehabilitation for these victims. These girls were rescued from a city hotel in a joint operation conducted by Indian Rescue Mission and Maharastra State police on October 28, 2010, after they had discovered the trafficking racket based on the investigations conducted by IRM. The police swung into action and arrested a lady brothel keeper and the lodge owner, along with other pimps who were engaged in forcing these girls into prostitution. Among the rescued girls, three were minors and were trafficked from different parts of the country. The girls told the police that they were sold to the brothels in the city and were forced to entertain clients who visited the brothel. Praise: God for the work of IRM and pray that the authorities would be granted more powers to fight this evil trade. (Mk.7:21) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8348
India: Girls rescued out of trafficking
Three girls from different states of India, sold off to brothels in Solapur city a few months ago, were rescued last week by Indian Rescue Mission (IRM), an organization that rescues minor girls forced into prostitution and offers justice and rehabilitation for these victims. These girls were rescued from a city hotel in a joint operation conducted by Indian Rescue Mission and Maharastra State police on October 28, 2010, after they had discovered the trafficking racket based on the investigations conducted by IRM. The police swung into action and arrested a lady brothel keeper and the lodge owner, along with other pimps who were engaged in forcing these girls into prostitution. Among the rescued girls, three were minors and were trafficked from different parts of the country. The girls told the police that they were sold to the brothels in the city and were forced to entertain clients who visited the brothel. Praise: God for the work of IRM and pray that the authorities would be granted more powers to fight this evil trade. (Mk.7:21) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8348
Russia: Christmas project to bring hope of Christ to 50,000 children
Russian Ministries is aiming to provide gift-filled shoeboxes along with children’s Bibles to 50,000 needy kids across Russia and the former Soviet Union this Christmas. ‘Our plan is that 50,000 children will receive those gifts but also learn about Jesus through the story that will be shared with them by young people on behalf of their churches who put together a presentation on the birth of Jesus, who became the greatest gift of all,’ said Russian Ministries’ President Sergey Rakhuba. He added: ‘Christmas is the greatest opportunity to reach out to children with the Gospel, but during that time the atmosphere creates more open space and especially in those territories where Christianity is not as influential. It’s also a great opportunity for young potential leaders in Russia, who we like to equip with these Christmas boxes, which we like to call Gifts of Hope.’ Praise: God for this initiative that brings hope to so many young people. (Ps.105:1)
Russia: Christmas project to bring hope of Christ to 50,000 children
Russian Ministries is aiming to provide gift-filled shoeboxes along with children’s Bibles to 50,000 needy kids across Russia and the former Soviet Union this Christmas. ‘Our plan is that 50,000 children will receive those gifts but also learn about Jesus through the story that will be shared with them by young people on behalf of their churches who put together a presentation on the birth of Jesus, who became the greatest gift of all,’ said Russian Ministries’ President Sergey Rakhuba. He added: ‘Christmas is the greatest opportunity to reach out to children with the Gospel, but during that time the atmosphere creates more open space and especially in those territories where Christianity is not as influential. It’s also a great opportunity for young potential leaders in Russia, who we like to equip with these Christmas boxes, which we like to call Gifts of Hope.’ Praise: God for this initiative that brings hope to so many young people. (Ps.105:1)