Northern Ireland: a taste of today’s news
’Embrace’ supports refugees and people seeking asylum and encourages other church communities to make Northern Ireland a welcoming place for refugees and those with minority ethnic backgrounds. Pray for all churches and organisations in Northern Ireland who are reflecting gospel values of compassion, hospitality and justice. -An estimated £50,000-worth of cannabis plants, cultivation equipment and other drugs paraphernalia was uncovered at a property in County Down this week. Pray for the police as they attempt to take drugs off local streets. Pray for Fitzroy Presbyterian Church as they provide treatment for people dependent on alcohol or drugs through their residential treatment units. -A meeting was held on Thursday to discuss flooding issues in Northern Ireland. Environment minister Mark H Durkan and agriculture and rural development minister Michelle O'Neill attended the meeting. Pray for this and all similar meetings taking place as we come to terms with poor flood defences and land management.
Christian MP's faith drove him to resign from Corbyn's front bench
Christian MP Jonathan Reynolds resigned as Shadow Minister for Transport, in what is dubbed the ‘revenge reshuffle’. Mr Reynolds said he had no option and ‘if someone is on the front bench they have to go along with a collective position. If you're not happy with that, or you want the freedom to say more, or you disagree with some decisions taken, then the thing to do is to leave in a dignified fashion, which I've tried to do.’ He told Premier's News Hour that his faith drove his decision saying, ‘I personally feel it's not the time for me to be part of the Labour front bench. A lot of people with a Christian faith will recognise those traits in themselves, whatever jobs they do.’ Christian MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, Stephen Doughty, resigned live on air on the BBC's Daily Politics programme. See: https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Christian-MP-s-faith-drove-him-to-resign-from-Corbyn-s-front-bench
1,000 British troops deployed to Libya
6,000 European and US soldiers, including 1,000 British Special Forces, have been deployed in Libya to wrest back control of over a dozen oil fields seized by Islamic State militants. UK Special Forces spearheading the coalition will include close observation experts from the Special Reconnaissance Regiment. IS has seized several revenue-boosting oil fields in Libya and wants to win more control over the country. The land could provide them with millions of dollars to fund terror attacks. The terrorists are now targeting Marsa al Brega oil refinery, the biggest in North Africa;if they capture it, they will gain full control of the country’s oil. Britain’s SAS is working with Libyan commanders to advise on key ‘battle-space management’ tactics using troops, tanks, warplanes and ships. They will also supply intelligence to Ministry of Defence chiefs that could determine whether airstrikes are needed. They will join an advance force on the ground.
The future Anglican Church - C of E Primates' gathering from 11 to 16 January
The Archbishop of Canterbury has invited all Primates to a meeting next week to reflect and pray about the future Anglican Church. The agenda is likely to include: -religiously-motivated violence -the protection of children and vulnerable adults -the environment -human sexuality. The meeting will be an opportunity to review structures of the Anglican Communion and decide on an approach to the next Lambeth Conference. There are factions within the Anglican community worldwide. Some believe there is a need to replace it with a much looser grouping, allowing North America, which recognises and encourages gay marriage, and the African churches (led by Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria), which are against all homosexual activity, to separate. Justin Welby suggested there is a need to consider recent developments, look afresh at ways of working in unity while paying attention to past developments. Pray for the church to move forward proclaiming the gospel, making disciples and living in holiness in spite of pressures that vary greatly between Provinces.
