WORLD’S CHRISTIANS BEGIN PRAYER WEEK FOR UNITY
CHRISTIANS from around the world yesterday (Jan 18) began a week of prayer for unity among people of the faith.
The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity got under way with the theme: “We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Parishes and congregations from different confessions and traditions around the world will hold special services and ecumenical celebrations throughout the week.
This year’s theme comes from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, which promises the transformation of human life through the victory of Christ’s resurrection.
It was chosen by participating churches in Poland, who reflected on how their own faith sustained them through the many upheavals in their history.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally celebrated from January 18 in the northern hemisphere, and around the time of Pentecost in the southern hemisphere.
Preparations are overseen by the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Benedict XVI said he hoped Christians would use the week to “ask God for the gift of full unity among the disciples of Christ”.
The Rev Bob Fyffe, General Secretary of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, said: "When we pray for the unity of the church we are praying that the churches that we know and which are so familiar to us will change as they conform more closely to Christ. This is an exciting vision, but also a challenging one."
AGENCY PROVIDES RELIEF IN SOUTH SUDAN
INTERNATIONAL agency Christian Aid is providing relief to some of the tens of thousands of civilians displaced by fighting in South Sudan.
It has called for a “swift end” to the escalating inter-communal violence in the Pipor area of Jonglei state.
The fighting between the Lou Nuer and Murle ethnic groups was sparked by recent cattle raids and child abductions.
Christian Aid said inter-ethnic conflict in South Sudan was being fuelled by decades of underdevelopment and the proliferation of small arms in the newly independent country's largest state.
The South Sudanese government has declared Jonglei a “human disaster area” and has appealed for international assistance to bring the crisis to an end.
Christian Aid said the emergency in Jonglei was creating a humanitarian challenge for the country.
“There can be no meaningful development or any sustainable nationhood unless fundamental issues which affect the essence of interdependence and peaceful co-existence between different ethnic communities in South Sudan are addressed,” said Yitna Tekaligne Country Manager, for Christian Aid, Sudan and South Sudan.
The UN estimates that more than 60,000 people have been displaced by the latest round of fighting.
Christian Aid and partner organisation the Lutheran World Federation are working together to provide emergency food, clean water, tarpaulins and cooking sets.
It is also assisting the wounded and supporting the reconciliation work being led by the Sudan Council of Churches and Archbishop Daniel Deng.
CHURCH LEADERS MEET PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT
A DELEGATION of senior Church figures from the UK has met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The delegation included the Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Rev Patrick Kelly, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Dr Rowan Williams, and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev David Arnott.
The meeting was held in London at the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lambeth Palace.
They discussed the plight of Christians in the Holy Land and the difficult peace process. President Abbas said that the resumption of talks in the context of the Arab Spring offered a rare opportunity that needed to be grasped now or it would be missed forever.
The Rev Arnott said: "Having worshipped in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, I have seen the struggle of the Palestinian people in the very basics of living but also their deep desire for a negotiated peace between the peoples who share the land. I urge everyone to grasp this opportunity.”
MISSION’S CALL FOR MUSLIM NATIONS
A MISSION has urged British Christians to remember those from Muslim nations who have yet to hear the Gospel of Christ during the Olympic Games year.
Frontiers specialises in mission in majority-Muslim contexts and recently reported that Muslims continue to come to faith through visions and dreams.
They are being baptised and discipled, and some are now helping to establish new churches among their own people.
In a message to supporters, international director Tim Lewis said his priority focus for 2012 remained the unengaged Muslim communities of the world.
He said the ministry was especially looking at how the Gospel can be planted into family structures and existing social networks. Mr Lewis said he hoped the Olympics in London would be a reminder to British Christians to pray for the people of the world who have not yet heard the Gospel.
"Represented among the various nation states at the 2012 Olympics will be many of the major families or tribes that the Bible talks about, those who are the intended recipients of the blessing spoken to Abraham and promised to the families of the earth," he said.
"May you know God’s blessings this year, and as you enjoy the Olympics in Britain, may it remind you to pray for the many across the world who have yet to hear.”
BARNSLEY ‘COULD BECOME LOURDES OF UK’

THE Yorkshire town of Barnsley could become a Christian pilgrimage destination on a scale to rival Lourdes.
Tourism chiefs are launching a major push to attract an astonishing 70 million Chinese Christians who revere the South Yorkshire mining town as the birthplace of 19th century missionary James Hudson Taylor.
Hudson Taylor is the man who took Christianity to China and is responsible for the fact that there are more Christians there than there are people in Britain.
Barnsley already attracts a few Chinese Christian tourists who pay homage to Hudson Taylor – who is little known in the rest of Britain – but is planning to go on the offensive to attract them in droves.
John Foster, who runs Foster’s Bakery and is chairman of the Barnsley Work and Skills Board, said Chinese tourism could revive the local economy.
He said: “More than 50 per cent of the overseas tourists visiting Britain are Chinese and they are already visiting places like York and Haworth.
“There are more Christians in China and the Far East who owe their heritage to James Hudson Taylor than there are people in Britain.”
Born in Barnsley in 1832, Hudson Taylor made it his life's work to take Christianity to the Chinese, spending more than 50 years there and leaving a legacy which is carried on by his descendants to this day.
He founded the Chinese Overseas Mission Fellowship, which now has a 70 million-strong membership of Christian churches in China and the Asian Pacific region.
Barnsley's James Hudson Taylor group wants to erect up to 12 plaques in his honour. Last month a group of about 15 Chinese Christians visited the town and went to the Salem Wesleyan Reform Church in Blucher Street, where there is a plaque to commemorate the missionary work of Hudson Taylor.
They also visited nearby Cheapside where Hudson Taylor was born and where the family ran a chemist, where Boots now stands.
Group member Michael Rossiter and Jenifer Dore helped show them around. He said: “One kissed the ground outside Boots. They refer to Barnsley as their spiritual home. James Hudson Taylor should be a famous son of Barnsley.”
HOMELESS PROJECT WINS BISHOP’S PRAISE
THE Bishop of Bradford used a visit to a Christian homeless organisation in the city last night to praise its work.
The Rt Revd Nick Baines spent time with Inn Churches, the Bradford winter shelter that has 430 volunteers from 65 churches, helping provide a place of warmth, welcome and refuge for rough sleepers.
This year's project has so far provided 562 beds to 43 people in the first seven weeks of the 13-week season.
Founder of Inn Churches, the Rev Sam Randall, said: "There's been a lot of support for this, not just from the bishop's office, but from the Lord Mayor and others and it's done a lot of good for the local community.
Shawna Splawn, the project's administrator, said: "We're thrilled that Bishop Nick visited our project to meet our guests and see for himself the difference Inn Churches is making, not just to the guests but to our volunteers as well.
"All of us have been changed by the experience, and hopefully are learning a new level of compassion."
ONLINE EVANGELIST A YOUTUBE HIT
A YOUNG online evangelist is hoping to epitomize the message that Jesus does not equal "religion" in a YouTube video that has attracted more than six million views and incited hundreds of comments on the true meaning of faith.
The video, entitled Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus, was uploaded on January 10 and has since become YouTube's most-watched video.
The popular and controversial video showcases what Jefferson Bethke says was his “journey to discover this truth – the difference between Jesus and false religion”.
“What if I told you, Jesus came to abolish religion?” the poet asks. “If religion is so great, why has it started so many wars? Why does it build huge churches, but fails to feed the poor?

“Religion says slave, Jesus says son,” he adds. “Religion puts you in shackles but Jesus sets you free. Religion makes you blind, but Jesus lets you see.”

Not unlike many Christians, Bethke says he spent his whole life “building this facade of neatness," acting like a church kid yet getting faded and viewing pornography. He accuses many Christians of also putting on a "fake look”.
“The problem with religion is it never gets to the core,” the poet asserts. “It's just behaviour modification like a long list of chores – like let's dress up the outside, make it look nice and neat.”
Church, he says, "is not a museum for good people; it's a hospital for the broken which means I don't have to hide my failure, I don't have to hide my sin because it doesn't depend on me, it depends on Him."
Bethke, a self-described “messed up dude addicted to grace,” claims that Christianity is God’s search for man, while religion is the opposite – man’s search for God.
He explains that this is why salvation is free for the taking – forgiveness is his and not something based on “effort, but Christ’s obedience alone”.
“So I know I hate religion, in fact I literally resent it,” he states. “Because when Jesus cried it is finished, I believe He meant it.”
Bethke clarifies that he loves the church and the Bible but he wants to expose the hypocrisy and legalism apparent in many houses of worship.
He wrote on his Facebook on Friday, “If you are using my video to bash ‘the church’ be careful. I was in no way intending to do that.”
“The Church is Jesus' bride so be careful how you speak of His wife.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO
VICAR OF BAGHDAD’S WORRY OVER IRAQ CHURCH FUTURE
CANON Andrew White has told Christians in Britain: "Don't take care - take risks."
In the latest Twurch of England podcast, the Vicar of Baghdad warns of a precarious future for Iraq’s dwindling Christian population.
He said: “I don’t think [the future] is very positive. I think it’s very, very fragile, and I think without supporting the church there, there is no chance of the church continuing.”
Canon White (pictured left) leads St George’s church, the only Anglican church in Iraq and home to one of the country’s largest relief operations, providing food, financial assistance and healthcare.
The clinic alone serves 150 people a day, including the local Muslim communities, and its stem cell centre is one of the foremost in the world, having treated more than 3,500 patients.
With the withdrawal of US troops, there are fears of more conflict as political factions remain fiercely at odds with one another.
Canon White said the political situation in the country at the moment was “terrible”.
“We have to deal with religious leaders,” he said. “In the words of William Temple, ‘When religion goes wrong, it goes very wrong,” and religion has gone very wrong and it has been the source of so much violence.”
In a country that used to be home to around five million Christians, only 200,000 remain today. Many have fled north to the relative safety of Kurdistan, while others have left the country altogether.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR’S SEARCH FOR JESUS
ANDREW Lloyd Webber has a really Biblical task on his hands – a TV search for a Jesus to star in an arena version of his rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
The 63-year-old impresario is gearing up for a new TV talent show this summer called Superstar that again allows ­viewers to vote for a new musical star from wannabes.
He said yesterday: “Presenting a new 2012 version of Jesus Christ Superstar for arenas is truly ­exciting, some of its best performances have been in rock venues and I’m thrilled to see the show return to its roots.”
The public would lead the casting process, he added. “They’ve got it absolutely right four times already.”
Lord Lloyd-Webber, who is moving from the BBC to ITV, said: “It’s been wonderful to see the careers of so many of the contestants ­blossom, so it will be especially fascinating to see who the public chooses.”

CHRISTIAN GROUP’S PROTEST OVER OIL INVESTMENTS
A COALITION of Christians is planning a protest to urge the Church Commissioners to disinvest from BP, Shell and Exxon Mobil, in which it has a combined investment of £170.8m.
The group, which calls itself the Good Steward, plans to hold the protest at the Church of England’s upcoming general synod meeting.
Siobhan Grimes, campaign manager at the Good Steward, told civilsociety.co.uk that the group wanted the Church of England’s financial practices to reflect the integrity of Christian thought.
Ms Grimes said: “It does not sit well that it invests in three companies that have accepted responsibility for the worst oil disasters in recent history. They have been judged amongst the least ethical companies on the planet.
“We are all also very worried about climate change and do not feel it’s appropriate for the Church to invest like this.”
She added that the group would want the Church Commissioners, which manages investments on behalf of the Church of England, to lead the way on ethical investment as a profitable alternative to investment in the oil industry.
“There has never been a more exciting time to invest in industries that are preparing for a low carbon world,” said Ms Grimes.
“The Church of England has a large investment portfolio. It is important that these shares are kept in low-risk investments so that the pay and pensions of priests – now and in the future – are protected.
“Oil investment is currently lucrative but it is not a sustainable source of income nor is it risk-free. The loss of share value after an oil catastrophe is passed on at great cost to the shareholder.”
The Church Commissioners also invest in renewable energy, for example, Impax Environmental Markets and the Bognor Regis Eco Quarter. But the group estimates its investments in oil are far higher.
CHURCH LEADERS TO MEET OVER SOCIAL ACTION
SENIOR church leaders from across north-east Lincolnshire are to meet on Saturday (Jan 21) to share news about social action projects they run.
Churches Together in North East Lincolnshire has invited senior churches leaders from across the region to Grimsby Minster.
The meetings will give people an opportunity to discover just what an impact churches have in the region.
The recently-appointed Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Rev Christopher Lowson, and the chairman of the Methodist District, the Rev Bruce Thompson, will be joined by Father John Guest, Vicar General in the Catholic Diocese of Nottingham, and Dr Pete Atkins, chairman of Churches Together In All Lincolnshire.
The meeting will help church leaders learn about and encourage social action work.

Dr Atkins said: “Some really good things are happening. We want to celebrate them. It should be an exciting day.
“There will be market stalls staffed by invited organisations to show the range of outreach projects that churches have been inspired to support.”
“Our guests will be speaking for short periods throughout the day, and everybody is encouraged to add to the ‘scribble walls’ to help build up the picture of what the churches are doing locally.”
ARCHBISHOP HIGHLIGHTS COMMUNITY CHAMPS
THE Archbishop of York’s website is to feature a series of stories about individuals who are making a difference to their communities.
Dr John Sentamu said he hoped the stories would inspire people to listen to God, encourage them to live out their faith and help them discover new ways to worship.
The first story to be highlighted features the Rev Alison Phillipson, vicar of Coatham and Dormanstown, Redcar, who, with lay members of her church, has set up the Church Shop.
The charity shop not only provides a place for locals to shop economically, but a place for them to find a listening ear.
Ms Phillipson said: “In a world where people don’t stop and listen, here we will listen.”
Dr John Sentamu said: “How wonderful it is to hear these encouraging stories. Across the country, so many people are proclaiming the Good News and putting God at the heart of their communities. This is where He should be!
“I hope that these stories will inspire you to listen to God, encourage you to live out your faith and help you discover new ways to worship.”
To see the stories, go to

CHARITY’S PLAN FOR FREE SECONDARY SCHOOL
A CHURCH charity has put forward proposals to run a free school in London.
Oasis – which is headed by the Rev Steve Chalke – wants to run the secondary school in the Waterloo area of the capital.
It already runs primary schools as well as homelessness centres, churches and education classes.
Its website said: “We’re motivated by our Christian faith to serve people and transform communities by promoting inclusion and confronting injustice.”
The school for 11- to 16-year-olds would be called the Oasis Community School Waterloo, but a site has yet to be found.
Oasis plans to admit 120 pupils in September 2013 “irrespective of faith or ability”. Charity founder Steve Chalke said: “Our goal is to create a world-class secondary educational environment.

“At present, there is no one local secondary school serving this community, and as a result children are scattered across several boroughs for their education.
“The overall population projections for Lambeth indicate a shortage in the number of secondary school places in the coming years.
“With this proposal, Oasis is planning ahead to meet the future needs of the Waterloo community.”
The charity already runs Johanna Primary Oasis Academy Waterloo, in Baylis Road, and the Oasis College of higher education in Westminster Bridge Road.

Public consultations are now being held regarding the proposal. The school needs funding approval from the Government to go ahead. For more information, visit www.oasiscommunity school.org
PEACE EVENT TO RETURN TO CATHEDRAL
SPACE for Peace, an inter-faith event devised by a professor of applied music from The University of Winchester, will return for its second year to Winchester Cathedral later this month.
The event, on Thursday, January 26, will bring together local and national choirs, community choirs and school choirs to sing music from Jewish, Christian, other faiths and secular sources to create a musical “vigil for peace”.
Choral and religious groups will be situated around the cathedral, each with their own repertoire of musical material, using the cathedral as what is described as a “resonant meditative space”.
The vigil will be created by the participants on the basis of choice. Each group will choose when to sing and also be invited to sing by the congregation.
The congregation will move around the building, lighting candles, praying and participating in creating the overall sound.
The event’s founder, the Rev Professor June Boyce-Tillman: “I was delighted that the last few year’s events inspired so many people.
“My experience of pieces involving choice of this kind is that people become very sensitive to their surroundings and to one another.
“Some of the soundscapes will be very complex, as a number of pieces are performed simultaneously in various areas of the cathedral, and sometimes it will be quite simple with only one piece being performed.”
The event will run from 7pm to 9.30pm (doors open at 6.45pm). Admission is free
CHURCHES SEE RISE IN ATTENDANCE
DEVON churches saw a big increase in people going to Christmas Day services, the Diocese of Exeter reported at the weekend.
BBC News reports that at Exeter Cathedral, people queued across the Cathedral Green for Christmas Eve carol services and several hundred had to be turned away.
The diocese said the "surge" in numbers was "very encouraging". The Rev Mark Searle, priest-in-charge of Torquay St Mary Magdalene, said they had the largest Christmas day attendance for seven years.
He said: "All our services were full and the Christmas day service increased from 40 to 109 people which was a great encouragement.
"We were surprised and delighted to see so many people, both regulars and visitors."
The Rev Gordon Percy, of Torquay St Matthias, said its three Christmas services were very well attended.
"Christingle at 5pm was packed to the gunnels, as was the midnight service and the 10:30 service the following morning," he said.
Uplyme parish church's beatboxing vicar, the Rev Gavin Tyte, used a "nativity rap" in his Christmas Day sermon and more than 200 people attended his small parish church for carol services.
The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev Michael Langrish, said: "The surge in churchgoers over the Christmas period, and in particular the increase in family attendance, is very encouraging.
"The Diocese of Exeter is committed to growing and we are beginning to see the first fruits of that commitment."

NEW STREET PASTOR SCHEME FOR TOWN

STREET Pastors could soon be patrolling the streets of a Devon town Ivybridge after an initial meeting between the town’s churches, council, police and other representatives.
The inter-denominational church initiative will be rolled out in Ivybridge to help revellers at weekends who are often left in vulnerable positions.
Street Pastors was pioneered in London in January 2003 by the Rev Les Isaac, director of the Ascension Trust, and has seen some remarkable results, including falls in crime in areas where teams have been working.
There are now some 9,000 trained volunteers in over 250 teams around the UK. Each city project is set up by Ascension Trust and run by a local co-ordinator with support from Ascension Trust and local churches and community groups, in partnership with police, council and other statutory agencies.
The cost of a voluntary street pastor is a one-off payment of £300, which will cover uniform and other set-up needs.
Peter Dale, community safety and emergency planning officer for South Hams Council, said: “The meeting on Wednesday, January 4, was attended by 46 people who were supportive of the scheme and no doubt many of them will be potential volunteers.
“The first management group meeting will be held within the month, with the date to be confirmed.
“Enquiries are taking place within the interested churches to identify a representative to attend this meeting, as well as town and district councils and the police.
“After the first management group meeting, a date will be fixed to formally launch the Ivybridge Street Pastors scheme, to be attended by senior council and police representatives and church members who would be interested in signing up as pastors, probably around March/April time.”
MUM CELEBRATES WRITING CONTEST WIN BY HELPING AFRICAN GIRLS
A SELFLESS stay-at-home mum won a national writing contest – and celebrated by helping underprivileged girls in Africa.
Waiki Harnais (pictured left at an Ethopian school), from Greenwich, travelled to charity projects in Ethiopia with Plan UK, after scooping their Blog4Girls award. 
The 26-year-old’s competition entry focused on the reasons why many girls in developing countries do not complete their schooling. 
“I have a strong interest in girls’ and women’s rights around the world - and poverty is a huge barrier to girls’ education in my country of origin, the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Waiki, a mum to one-year-old Amaury and four-year-old Kenzo. 
“Parents are sometimes asked to, but often cannot, contribute towards basic things such as desks, chairs and books.  Of course conflict has also been a major problem.”
After taking top prize, Christian Waiki flew to the South of Ethiopia to find out more about problems girls are facing in the wake of the food crisis.
“I met a young girl who had to drop out of school as her family’s crops had failed and they couldn’t afford to pay her fees.”
“She was spending her day walking long distances to collect water, instead of learning in the classroom.” 
The mother of two also learned about other issues keeping girls out of school. 
“Some had been forced into marriage at very young ages – in their early teens,“ says Waiki.
“I met mothers who had given birth before their bodies were fully developed, and without proper medical attention. They now suffer from fistula, that leaves them incontinent and in severe pain.”
Plan UK is working with the local community to educate families on the negative impact of early and forced marriage – both for the individual girl and wider society.
The organisation also works with residents to ensure girls and boys of school-going age attend lessons.
“Aid organisations have to work with local people to help make change sustainable.”
“I am an activist – I aim to write about what I see so I can help raise awareness of these important issues." 

EASTER EGG CAMPAIGN AFTER SUPERMARKET SNUB
CHRISTIANS are being urged to boycott well-known confectionery brands by bishops and buy The Real Easter Egg instead after supermarkets snubbed them.
The Meaningful Chocolate Company – a Christian firm – expected to see orders from supermarkets increase after their Real Easter Egg sold out in stores last year.
The egg – which tells the history of Jesus on the box – was launched as an email-only order last year, but after a major campaign supermarkets decided to stock the eggs.
But Meaningful Chocolate Company bosses have been stunned after stores reduced their orders for Easter 2012, a move seen as a boycott by bishops.
The Bishop of Oxford, who chairs the Church of England's board of education, said: "There seems to be a clear cut agenda to keep credible products, with any connection to Christianity, off the shelves. But it is vitally important that our children are not cheated of the chance to hear the Easter story.
“Last year churches and schools campaigned with their wallets and ordered tens of thousands online and complained to supermarkets which were not stocking enough.
“If we have to continue to campaign to establish The Real Easter Egg by placing orders online or supporting independent retailers, then so be it."
A spokesman for the Church of England said that last year Morrison’s, Booths, the Co-operative and Waitrose last year changed their mind and decided to trial The Real Easter Egg, which sold out despite offers on other brands.
A spokesperson from the Meaningful Chocolate Company said: "Unlike other faiths, which are catered for by the biggest chains, Christians will struggle to find anything connecting Jesus with the major Festival of Easter on the supermarket shelves.
“Out of the 80 million Easter eggs on sale this year nearly all will be secular, made from non-Fairtrade chocolate and with no charitable donation."
The Real Easter Egg – made from Fairtrade chocolate – is priced at £3.99, with 15p of every sale donated to Traidcraft.
There are limited supplies so early ordering is advised. The official Real Easter Egg online shop is at www.realeasteregg.co.uk
To ensure supply, churches are being advised to place a bulk order by the end of February. The site has sign-up form, posters and other resources.
Online ordering will be open for as long as supplies last or until the middle of March but check the official online shop or Facebook for details.
Traidcraft will also have major stocks available through its online shop and its network of church re-sellers.
A number of Independent retailers, including Cathedrals, are expected to stock. The Real Easter Egg online shop will include details of all retailers as they start selling.
RADIO STATION GIVEN GO-AHEAD TO FIGHT AD BAN
A CHRISTIAN radio station that was banned from airing an advert on Christian marginalisation has been given permission to go to court and challenge the decision.
Premier Christian Radio wanted to run an advert on Christians being sidelined in the workplace but it was banned for being “politically motivated”.
The group wanted to air the advert around the time of 2010′s General Election, but the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC), which clears adverts for commercial radio, refused to allow the ad.
Although Premier was given permission to challenge the decision using a judicial review last June, the RACC raised an objection. Now, however, a court has ruled that the review should go ahead.
The judge considering the case indicated it was one of great importance and should be brought forward quickly.
Premier’s chief executive, Peter Kerridge, said: “This has been a long hard fight but, at last, we have the right for a judicial review to clarify the law in matters of religious expression.”
Solicitor Tom Ellis added: “This is an important case for Christians and their expression of religious views. Airing this particular advert will allow people to do just that and the information gathered can then be used by equal opportunity groups in future debate and to further the cause of religious equality.”
The ad was due to air during May 2010 in order to inform debate during the General Election campaign.
It said: “Surveys have shown that 60 per cent of active Christians are being increasingly marginalised in the work place.
“We are concerned to get the most accurate data to inform the public debate. We will then use this data to help make a fairer society.”
The advert was for the Christian Communications Partnership, the publishing arm of Premier Media Group, which also owns Premier Christian Radio.

HUDSON: GOD GOT ME THROUGH TRAGEDIES
AMERICAN Idol star and Hollywood actress Jennifer Hudson has revealed that her faith in God helped her overcome tragedies and challenges in her life.
Appearing on the US show Today earlier this week, the Christian star explained that she leaned on her faith after the killings of her mother, brother and nephew in 2008.
Her brother-in-law William Baflour has been charged with their murder and goes on trial next month. Miss Hudson could be called to testify.
But she explained on the TV show that her faith had helped her cope with the tragedies.
Miss Hudson said: “Definitely, it's my faith in God and growing up – my mother, even though she's not here now, she trained us well."
During an Oscar award acceptance speech, Miss Hudson had made reference to God and the miracles he had brought into her life.
She was asked to explain what she meant during her Today appearance, and replied: "I always dreamed but never this big, and look what God can do. That's something my grandmother used to always say.
“She would always shout...how great thou art! And I never understood...until I've been able to travel the world and see God's marvellous works around the world and I would find myself saying, oh, my God, how great Thou art!”
Miss Hudson appeared on the show to talk about her memoir, I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down.
POVERTY GROUP’S CALL OVER EMERGENCY CASH PLANS
CHURCH Action on Poverty (CAP) and The Children's Society are among the 20 organisations calling upon the Government to rethink its plans to reduce the amount of money available to vulnerable people in crisis situations.
Emergency assistance in the form of crisis loans or community care grants are given to people facing extremely difficult circumstances, such as women and children escaping a violent relationship.
In an open letter to the Guardian, the organisations are concerned about the impact of cuts to the funds from £67m in 2010-11 to £36m in 2013.In addition to CAP, the groups sounding the alarm include Barnardo’s, Save the Children, and Family Action.
They fear that local councils already experiencing huge cuts will provide no or extremely limited support to people in need, or may replace cash handouts with support in kind, such as in the form of access to foodbanks.
They want Lords debating the social fund this week to ringfence funds provided to local councils for emergency support.
In their letter, they warn that crisis loans and community care grants are the “ultimate safety net for the most vulnerable in society”.
“The Government’s own research shows some local authorities expect the extra funding will be diverted to plug gaps elsewhere,” they said.
“We fear these changes could be catastrophic for some, such as those who resort to illegal moneylenders or high-cost credit, or women who return to live with a violent partner because they have no money to furnish another home for their children.”
PROCESSION AND PRAYER VIGIL FOR NORTH KOREA CHRISTIANS

CHRISTIAN Ministry Release International will stage a procession and prayer vigil before handing in a petition to the North Korean Embassy in London later this month.
The organisation will be staging a funeral procession outside the North Korean Embassy on January 20 to highlight the ongoing persecution of Christians in the country.
The procession will start at Acton Town tube station and make its way slowly to the Embassy, at 73 Gunnersbury Avenue, W5 4LP.
Supporters will gather outside Acton Town tube station at 10:30am. The procession will set off at 10:45am, culminating in a prayer vigil outside the Embassy at 11:00am. It will conclude with the handing in of a petition by 12.15pm.
The 48,000-strong petition by Release International supporters calls for religious freedom in North Korea, which is among the worst persecutors of Christians in the world.
Release will also be calling on the British government to press for religious freedom.
Release chief executive Andy Dipper will then present a copy of the petition to 10 Downing Street.
He said: “Under this notoriously repressive regime Christians are among those held in prison camps, which have been likened to concentration camps. They are held there simply because of their religious beliefs.
“Thousands more live out their faith in secret to avoid detection by the authorities.
“Our hope is that the change in leadership following the death of Kim Jong-il will lead to greater freedom of religion and that the persecution of Christians will end.”
ARCHBISHOP CHALLENGES CARE FUNDS FOR ELDERLY
THE Archbishop of York has called for an urgent reform to the way care is funded for older people in England in an open letter to the Prime Minister.
The Express reports that Dr John Sentamu wrote to David Cameron and taxpayers in England stating that the current system is no longer fit for purpose and asking the Government to consider a new agreement.
He said a report published earlier this year recommending that a cap on individual contributions to social care costs was set at £35,000 "had shown us the way forward".
The Archbishop said: "The current adult care funding system in England is widely acknowledged to be unfit for purpose and to need urgent and lasting reform.
"The report of the Commission on Funding of Care and Support, chaired by Andrew Dilnot (the Dilnot Commission), published earlier this year, has shown us the way forward.
"Whether or not the political parties can come together to implement the Commission's recommendations will be an important signal of our confidence and ability to build for the future of our society as well as of our economy, at this time of particular social as well as economic difficulty."
He continued: "What is needed is a system for funding care which enables the risk to any one individual to be pooled, through taxation or insurance or, preferably, a mix of them both."
The Dilnot Commission recommended that the state should pick up the cost of care beyond £35,000, at an estimated cost to the public purse of less than £2bn.
The Archbishop said: "Such a system will provide sufficient certainty to enable people to plan ahead, and allow the financial services industry to develop insurance and other products to help them with their planning. It will also help the poorest in our society the most."
Dr Sentamu said society should place value on the wisdom of older people in order to help build a future for younger generations.
1,000 SPEND YEAR HELPING MERCY SHIP

COLUMBUS TO DIRECT JESUS FILM
THE director behind the first two Harry Potter movies is to turn his attention to a truly gifted child – Jesus Christ!

Chris Columbus (left), who also made the film Home Alone, is to adapt Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, the book by Anne Rice.
The Daily Telegraph reports him as saying: “This film has the potential to be a cinematic classic, a picture that will appeal to all ages, all around the world.”
Columbus directed the first two films about the child wizard, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stoneand Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
And he said: “I am proud to be part of this incredible production.”
Rice’s book tells the story of a seven-year-old Jesus, who departs Egypt with his family to return home to Nazareth and discovers the truth about his birth, who he is, and his purpose in life.
MARATHON MAN GIVES POVERTY THE RUN AROUND
A LOUGHBOROUGH runner is looking to give poverty the run around when he takes on the London Marathon to raise money for Christian Aid.
Paul Anderson, of Albert Promenade, is the only person in the East Midlands to have been given one of the charity’s 10 National Golden Bonds and he has been set the target to raise £2,000 as well as setting his own personal target to run the marathon in five and a half hours.
He has already run three half-marathons, two of which were for charity, but this is his first full marathon.
Paul will also be holding a number of fund-raising events in Loughborough between now and April, including coffee mornings and an auction of promises.
He said: “I am greatly honoured to have been given a chance to run in the London Marathon for Christian Aid. I am looking to give poverty the run around! I am now training in earnest to make sure I get around the 26.2 mile course and would welcome anybody helping me to raise the target of £2,000.”
Anyone wanting to donate can visit http://www.justgiving.com/PaulLon-Mar2012 or contact the Loughborough Christian Aid office on 01509 265013.
Donations can also be given to Loughborough Baptist Church, in Baxter Gate, but should be marked London Marathon.

CHRISTIAN YOUTH TAKE PASSION TO UN CLIMATE SUMMIT
CHRISTIAN youth are bringing their passion for change to the UN climate conference in South Africa, eager to learn how to spread the message that God's creation needs better care.
About 28 youths from church and faith-based organsations on six continents are taking Youth For Eco-Justice training during the 17th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP 17, which runs from November 28 to December 9.
Organised by Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and World Council of Churches (WCC), the courses include Bible study, workshops, training sessions on communication, campaign management and development of resources, and activities for promoting eco-justice.
“The idea is to bring young people together and impact communities at home. Young people have been demanding in our assemblies that they have to take action and this is the response," said Roger Schmidt, LWF Secretary for Youth.
Schmidt said that creative young people, are capable of breaking the deadlock in the world in terms of climate change with a new understanding of the connection of justice and ecology, Ekklesia reports.
Njideka Onwunyi, 26, a participant from Nigeria, said climate change is a major concern to Christian youths and the training has come at a time when young people are striving to influence changes in world systems.
"As Christian youths we are increasingly concerned about the ecological crisis and the way humans are treating God’s earth. Planet Earth is in peril and creation is suffering; this calls for a quick action to solve the situation," said Onwunyi.
Onwunyi said global warming and conflicts over water resources are related to unsustainable and inequitable patterns of production and consumption, hence the need for advocating eco-justice.
"Our communities, especially in Africa and other regions, are really fighting and competing for water, food and land and we need to empower them," said Onwunyi.
Countries represented by the participants include: the United States, Venezuela, the United Kingdom, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Palestinian Territories, Nigeria, Myanmar, Malawi, Kenya, Indonesia, India, Hungary, Georgia, Canada, Brazil, Belarus, Australia and Argentina.
BISHOP BACKS CHARITY FOR CHILDREN
THE Bishop of Exeter has lent his support to a charity that helps children with life limiting illnesses, by featuring with his own bear in a new book.
Bishop Michael Langrish, a keen sports fan, has agreed to lend his support to an initiative to raise money for the charity U-Support that works in the UK and abroad to take children with life limiting illness to football matches, other sporting fixtures and cultural events.
A new book, called A Very English Bear, has been specially written to raise money for U-Support by Robin Goddard.
Bishop Michael features in the book with his own bear, Vivian (the Ursine Bishop of Sherborne).
Michael said: “I am pleased to be able to lend my name, and that of my own bear – who's been with me for 65 years this Christmas – to raise funds for this excellent cause.”
The book is also being supported by the Marquess of Cholmondeley, who is the real Lord Great Chamberlain.
Author Robin Goddard will be in Exeter on the Wednesday, December 14, to sign copies of A Very English Bear.

GOVERNMENT CHIEF DEFENDS COUNCIL MEETING PRAYERS
A GOVERNMENT minister has waded in to defend councils that want to keep prayers before meetings.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has said that the government believes local councils should be free to make their own decision.
His comments come after the National Secular Society (NSS) sought a judicial review to ban prayers across all UK local councils.
They took up the case after Clive Bone – who is no longer a councillor – said prayers before meetings before Bideford Town Council meetings left him embarrassed.
But Mr Pickles (left) has hit back and said the government would prefer local councils to make their own decision about prayers.
He said he believed that the role of faith in the community was important.
Mr Pickles added: “This Government recognises and respects the role that faith communities play in our society.
“Prayers are an important part of the religious and cultural fabric of the British nation. While the decision on whether to hold prayers is a matter for local councils, we believe they should have the freedom to do so."
Last week, Mr Justice Ouseley reserved judgement in the case to a date to be fixed.
On behalf of the NSS, David Wolfe told the High Court that holding prayers within the formal part of the council’s meeting was “an unlawful practice”.
However, James Dingemans QC argued that neither the NSS nor Mr Bone had suffered “disadvantage” because councillors were “free to join or leave as they desire” and could “refuse to participate in prayers”.
GROUP TEAMS UP WITH GOSPEL ARTIST TO REACH YOUNG
YOUTH for Christ (YFC) are to team up with award winning urban gospel music artist Guvna B to spread the word of God to 20,000 young people.
YFC has announced that the 21-year-old – who shares their vision for young Brits – will be working alongside some of the organsiation’s mission teams, initially through the Living Room Tour next year.

A YFC spokesman said they were convinced that the partnership would not only reach out to thousands of young people across Britain, but would inspire others to use their gifts and talents to make a difference. 
As the first Gospel artist to appear on Radio 1 DJ Westwood’s Crib Sessions, and having shared the stage with the cream of the UK’s urban talent including Chipmunk and Tinie Tempah, Guvna B (left) is making waves in the mainstream.
And he has said he remains sure of his calling – to make quality and overtly Christian music and impact the world with God’s love.
He said: “Young people need to know that being a Christian is a fun, exciting and satisfying life following Jesus.
“I am living proof that it is possible to live a life of faith and achieve your wildest dreams. To be a Champion in Christ, as I say in one of my tracks.” 
So far, Guvna has headlined the IndigoO2 and the Hackney Empire and won prestigious awards including a MOBO, UMA and GMA Award since releasing his breakout hit Kingdom Skank in 2008. 
As someone who is cutting-edge and keen to proclaim Christ, YFC seem a natural fit for Guvna B. 
He explained: “I love the work of YFC and am honoured to be an ambassador for the movement.
“Like me, YFC are uncompromising in their love for God and in the way that message is delivered. I am really excited about where God is taking me and I am very pleased that an organisation like YFC will be joining hands with me on the journey.”
Dave Newton, YFC Director of Outreach, said: “YFC are thrilled to partner with such a relevant, dynamic young artist to reach young people and make a big impact in their lives.”
CHURCHES URGED OVER ONLINE SAFETY
CHURCHES and faith groups must recognise the importance of online safety, a child protection group has urged.
CCPAS (the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service) has unveiled a major new weapon in the continuing fight against online child abuse.
Called Safeguarding in a digital world, this comprehensive multimedia resource is designed to support faith communities safeguard children in every aspect of e-safety.
Special attention is devoted to social networking sites such as Facebook, which is a particular concern amongst parents and youth leaders.

Safeguarding in a digital world contains the following:

• The video recording of the first-ever national Internet safety conference designed specifically for churches, which CCPAS held earlier this year

PowerPoint presentations from the conference

• The 50-page Safeguarding in a digital world full colour booklet


• An interactive PDF document with embedded links to relevant web resources and videos of the conference speakers’ presentations


• Key CCPAS safeguarding publications, including its Quick Reference Guide relating to internet safety

Safeguarding in a digital world is the latest in an expanding stable of e-safety resources for churches designed and promoted by CCPAS in 2011.
These include research now being carried out by the Cyberspace Research Unit (University of Central Lancashire) into how Christian young people use the web, together with CCPAS’s new, fully-accredited internet safety training course which is available through the SQA.
Launching Safeguarding in a digital world today, Simon Bass, CEO of CCPAS, said: "As every adult should now know, children may be harmed as easily online as off-line. Everyone with safeguarding responsibilities in faith communities should be keen to address this simple fact.
"However, we have found that parents often struggle to know how best to educate their children about e-safety.
“Faith leaders and youth workers, too, regularly call our 24-hour helpline wanting to know how to engage safely with children online, through social networking sites or text messages, for example.
"We hope this new resource will provide the information they need to ensure that the children in their care are kept as safe as possible."
FREE RESOURCES FOR NEW YEAR PRAYERS
CHURCHES planning to mark the arrival of 2012 with prayer now have a range of free resources to help them, including service outlines and written prayers.
A call for churches to pray at some time between December 31 and January 8 has come from all the main denominations through More Than Gold, the agency set up to help them make the most of the 2012 Games.
Free downloads available include outlines for New Year, Epiphany and all-age services that focus on praying for the opportunities and challenges of the coming year. Also lined up are a list of prayer topics, set prayers and creative ideas for a prayer meeting.
Jane Holloway of the World Prayer Centre is leading the initiative, which is called Shine for the New Year. She said, "The coming year offers churches unprecedented opportunities to engage with their communities.
“Not only through the Games but also through the Queen’s Jubilee and the European Cup football. This calls us all to welcome 2012 with prayer."
CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY FOUNDER COMPLETES 15 MARATHONS
THE founder of Christians Against Poverty has pushed himself to the limit for people in need by completing 15 marathons in just over 15 days.
John Kirkby kicked off his gruelling fundraising bid in a drizzly Edinburgh on November 8 and crossed the finishing line of his final marathon in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday.
The 50-year-old trained for 18 months and was accompanied by support runners Paul Cribb and Martin Cowles for the incredible feat.
The aim of the run was to raise awareness of people struggling to get by in the economic downturn and raise funds to support CAP's debt counselling work.
Since Kirkby (pictured left) started CAP in his bedroom 15 years ago, has grown to 190 centres around the UK, with plans to have 500 in operation by 2015.
The 15 marathons have raised £1.2m and will be used to expand CAP's services to areas where there is currently no CAP centre.
Kirkby said of the challenge: “It was one of those things that seemed a good idea at the time. I honestly didn't realise what it was going to require from us when we set out on this but I am overwhelmed at everyone's generosity and encouragement.”
In addition to around five hours of running each day, Kirkby talked to the media for an hour every day and held fundraising dinners in the evening before travelling to the next destination and doing it all again, Christian Today reports.
“We were left with just a few hours sleep between destinations which made it pretty relentless," he said.
"We got off the plane into Australia, changed into our running gear in the airport rest rooms and ran in the dark with head torches on to the next checkpoint.”

CAP now also operates in Australia and New Zealand. Some of the people who had received help from the charity turned out to cheer the runners on.
He said: “Our biggest motivation as we went round was meeting clients from all these different places who had already felt the fruit of our work. We had them in mind as we went along and it made it easier.
"We just want to know that more people like them will get the help they so desperately need."
Watch Kirkby's video blogs at www.cap15.org
CHURCH LEADERS IN TALKS TO HELP COMMUNITIES
CHURCH leaders from across the denominational spectrum gathered recently to discuss how they could work together to help communities in the UK.
The leaders, who attended the HOPE forum at Jesus House in north London, aim to work together to deliver a range of united church mission activities in 2014, with the aim of transforming people’s lives with the gospel.
The Voice reports Pastor Agu Irukwu, recently named Britain’s most influential black person, as telling the crowd of 70 leaders who gathered for the meeting: “Unity is on God’s heart at this point in time.
“When we overcome barriers and serve together it attracts the attention of the world.”  
The main speaker, Anglican Bishop Graham Cray, preached from John 17, referring to the unity in the Trinity.
He said: “Unity is not the absence of discord it’s… mutual trust, mutual honour, mutual sacrifice. And like the divine hospitality it is wide open for others to join.”
Bishop Wayne Malcolm, Senior Pastor of Christian Life City Church in London, said the multi-coloured HOPE logo, with its different fonts on different backgrounds but joining to say one word, was a symbol of HOPE’s plans for churches working together in mission.
“We are living in unprecedented times and we need innovative ideas,” he said. HOPE offers churches opportunities to learn innovative ideas from each other, he added. “This is God’s thing; this is God’s time.

PAINTING TO BE AUCTIONED FOR HOPE

The 5ft by 4ft oil painting called Hope depicts the Gospel message of hope being delivered from the air to North Korea by Christian leaflets dropped from helium-filled balloons.
The canvas, which is the work of young artist Emma Butler (pictured left), is being auctioned on eBay and the proceeds will be used for Release International’s work among North Korean refugees. To bid on eBay until 1 December, go to www.releaseinternational.org/auction
“The more you look at this work of art the more it provokes you to think, which is brilliant,” says Release CEO Andy Dipper. “You may even look at the painting as an investment. Either way, the winning bidder will be investing into the lives of persecuted North Korean Christians.
“Emma’s painting shows the light of the gospel breaking through the darkness of that land. The painting has been on public display and we hope it has inspired many Christians to engage with the issue of persecution in the hermit kingdom.”
North Korea has rounded up entire families into prisons that have been likened to concentration camps.
Those who flee the country face being shot on sight by border guards or trafficked as slaves in China. Release is supporting safe houses and is working with local Christian partners to provide health care and pastoral support to refugees.
More than 30,000 people have so far signed a Release petition calling on North Korea to allow its citizens to practise their faith in freedom. The petition form can be downloaded from the Release website or signed online at www.releaseinternational.org/petition
London artist Emma Butler, who’s just 17, said: “North Koreans desperately need to hear God’s message of hope. Christians are reaching out to them with balloons carrying Gospel messages about Jesus.
“To see light coming in is what I wanted to capture and communicate. It’s such a beautiful image - this idea of hope coming across the horizon.”
NATIVITY DRAMA BASIS OF NEW INITIATIVE
A YEAR after the success of the BBC TV drama the nativity, a Bible Society initiative that uses the film is set to get schoolchildren and church groups taking a fresh look at the story that lies at the heart of Christmas festivities.
Writer Tony Jordan, creator of Hustle, transformed the classic nativity story into a gripping human drama with an all-star cast, which was screened, in four parts on BBC 1, last December.
This Christmas schools and churches can purchase a DVD of the BBC Nativity online from Bible Society in a package that comes with additional resources and a license to show the film.
They are available at www.shop.biblesociety.org.uk/nativity
The resources for schools cover the syllabus for Key Stage 3 RE and are part of the support Bible Society has given to RE teachers over many years.
Written by Stephen Pett, RE Adviser at REToday Services and author of The Bible: The Big Story, they are ready made for teachers to download and use in the classroom. They include reflective activities and discussion starters.
Luke Walton Bible Society’s Culture Programme Manager said: “Tony Jordan is a top quality writer and producer. His work, such as for EastEnders, Hustle and Life on Mars, shows that he creates popular and compelling story telling for the widest audience. 
“It is fantastic to see this talent come together with the inspiring story of the nativity giving teachers access to Bible resources in the visual language of the next generation.”

KJV BIBLE TO BE GIVEN TO EVERY STATE SCHOOL
EVERY state school in England is to receive a new copy of the King James Bible from the government.
The move by education secretary Michael Gove is to mark the 400th anniversary of its translation.
In a move intended to help every pupil access Britain's cultural heritage, every primary and secondary school will be sent a new copy of the 1611 translation by next Easter.
Gove, who is proposing to write a two-line introduction for the Bibles sent to schools, said of the 1611 translation: "It's a thing of beauty, and it's also an incredibly important historical artefact. It has helped shape and define the English language and is one of the keystones of our shared culture. And it is a work that has had international significance."
The Department for Education estimates the cost of the scheme at £375,000, and is seeking philanthropic sponsorship. A spokesman said: "As many people have noted – from former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion to the director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor – the King James Bible continues to shape our culture.
"Understanding the story of its publication and the impact it has had on today's English-speaking society is an important part of the teaching and learning of history and language."
The initiative has been criticised by secular campaigners as a waste of money. The National Secular Society said that schools were already "awash with Bibles".
MORE JOIN CONGREGATIONS ON BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY
CONGREGATIONS increased by nearly a quarter at more than 4,200 churches on Back to Church Sunday, detailed figures have revealed.
The statistics showed that an average of 19 extra people per church attended services on September 25.
Overall 18 per cent of participating churches reported that nearly 14,000 extra people attended church on Back to Church Sunday 2011 in Great Britain; over 10,000 of these attended Church of England churches. Based on these numbers it could be estimated that:
 
    •    An extra 77,000 people attended church on Back to Church Sunday 2011 (over 58,000 in the Church of England)
    •    Since the first Back to Church Sunday in 2004, nearly 230,000 people have come back to church.
 
The Bishop of Hertford, the Rt Rev Paul Bayes, said: “Back to Church Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for growth. We know that three million people in England say they'd come back to church if they had an invitation, and I encourage even more churches to register in 2012. It's a simple initiative that really does work.”
St Mary the Virgin, Yaxley, in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, is an example of a church where Back to Church Sunday is part of a successful mission strategy.
Regular Sunday attendance has nearly quadrupled from nine to a viable 35, thanks to personal invitations from church members, and the pioneering work of the Rev Tiffer Robinson, who knocked on every door in the village of 400 people to personally invite everyone back to church.
He said: “We very successfully incorporated Back to Church Sunday, using the suggested ‘template service’ and three well-known hymns, creating a 45-minute traditional but informal service full of community spirit and joy that was accessible to regular worshippers and visitors. I would fully recommend Back to Church Sunday as a mission initiative.”
Launched in Greater Manchester in 2004 and now thought to be the largest single local-church invitational initiative in the world, Back to Church Sunday encourages churchgoers to take the simplest and shortest step in evangelism, by inviting someone they know to church.
It sees congregations of many denominations hosting special services using resources and packs distributed from a national office; these packs include attractive invitations, prayer cards, T-shirts, tea bags, coffee and chocolate bars, with all products fairly traded and sourced through Traidcraft, a key sponsor of Back to Church Sunday.
This year, the Archbishop of York launched Back to Church Sunday by tweeting an invitation to 10,000 people, that was re-tweeted by 95 Twitter accounts to thousands more people; and the invitations were backed up by 30-second radio adverts in certain areas and local launches across the dioceses.
BRUM CHURCHES TO BE 'MAPPED'
HUNDREDS of churches across Birmingham have been mapped for the first time to enable residents and visitors to the city to locate their nearest faith centre.
The online map at www.birminghamfaithmap.org.uk was launched today by Cllr Alan Rudge, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Human Resources, at the city’s cathedral with an address by the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Rev David Urquhart.
The Birmingham Faith Map, which has been developed over the last year with support from the members of the Faith Round Table – a network set up by Cllr Rudge to maintain close links between the council and faith groups within the city.
The map shows, for the major faiths in the city, places of worship, contact details and the range of functions they carry out.
CHURCH HANDS OUT £1M TO HELP DEPRIVED AREAS
GRANTS totalling £1m have been distributed nationwide to help churches rejuvenate deprived areas. The Archbishops' Council and Church Commissioners have given £100,000 grants to 10 projects across nine dioceses where church schemes have had a proven positive impact.
The grants are part of an ongoing research and development programme to assess church projects and their effectiveness. Two of the grants are going to support projects in Liverpool.
One of those is Liverpool Cathedral's Mission Project, which uses the cathedral as a resource to support the replication of two examples of Fresh Expressions into deprived parishes. The other has been given to St Andrew’s Clubmoor, situated in one of the most deprived parts of city and the UK.
Clubmoor serves the community by running a foodbank, debt advice, self help groups, and parent and toddler groups. The church also runs missional communities that work alongside particular groups in the community. The grant will be used to to bring the mission and practical work closer together by employing two people to work with local families and people in recovery, establishing work pattern and practices that can be used elsewhere.
The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, welcomed the grants. “The support for the developing work of the Cathedral and in Clubmoor is a huge affirmation of our diocesan commitment to growth and the importance of high quality local leadership," he said. "I think both awards are excellent examples of the potentially transformational nature of such strategic investment.”
In Bradford, the grant will be used to develop the successful Sorted youth evangelism project, which works with multi-cultural communities in deprived areas.
The Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Nick Baines, said he was "hugely encouraged" to see the Archbishops’ Council and Church Commissioners committing money to church growth in areas of the country "traditionally not associated with such expectations and where resources are often harder to access".
He said the £100,000 grant underlined the importance of investing in research and development so that the Church's work could be evaluated and rolled out elsewhere.
“The Sorted Project in Bradford is a fantastic example of inspiringly led youth evangelism that is home grown and is now being replicated elsewhere," he said. The Church Commissioners and Archbishops' Council plan to distribute a further £2m to similar projects in 2012. hilst Muslims must not be offended.