Liverpool unveils UK’s first gay street signs
Liverpool has become the first city in the UK to carry a homosexual rainbow emblem on some of its street signs, despite other councils banning Christian symbols. Liverpool City councillor, Nick Small said: ‘The new signs clearly show that we are recognising where the LGBT scene is based in the city and that it is a very important part of our city life.’ The city’s enthusiasm to promote the emblem stands in contrast to other local councils that have banned Christian symbols from public display. Camden Council in North London told a church group that it could not advertise an event on religion and climate change unless it removed words like ‘Christian’ and ‘God’ from the text. Staff at Salisbury Council were told not to use the phrase ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’ when talking to people because the religious reference might offend atheists.
Pray: for the authorities that make unwise decisions that go against common sense may their ideas be thwarted. (Ps.94:8)
Tesco funds Gay Pride but drops Cancer Research
Tesco has sparked outrage after dropping its support for the Cancer Research ‘Race for Life’, and announcing shortly after that it would now become a headline sponsor of Britain’s largest gay festival. The supermarket giant has supported Cancer Research for more than a decade, helping the charity raise hundreds of millions of pounds towards combating the illness – estimated to affect one in three of the population. But now the retail chain has signed a deal to become a major sponsor of Pride London, and will host the festival’s family area.
Pray: that this move by a major retail company would be looked at carefully in light of its involvement with the wider
community. (Eph.5:15)
24-7 Prayer & Alpha say fill 2012 with prayer
As the Olympic and Paralympic Games approach, Pete Greig, a founding champion of 24-7 Prayer, author of ‘Red Moon Rising’ and Director of Prayer for Holy Trinity Brompton is helping to launch a year of prayer called Kingdom Come 2012, challenging God’s people to pray that the name of Jesus will be lifted high in our lands once again. Kingdom Come 2012 is a partnership between 24-7 Prayer and Alpha to encourage thousands of churches to fill an entire year with night and day prayer, aiming to build on the success of unprecedented years of non-stop prayer across Scotland in 2010 (The Big If) and Ireland in 2011(What If?). Nicky Gumbel, Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton says 'Prayer is the power behind our vision to see the re-evangelisation of our nations and the transformation of society. In 2012 we are going to be praying like never before.’ For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Pray: that the Church will take up the challenge to pray in the kingdom and transformation of our nations. (Mt.6:10)
Netherlands: Civil servant fired for opposing gay marriage
A Christian civil servant has been fired by the Dutch city of The Hague for refusing to oversee same-sex marriages on Biblical grounds. Wim Pijl said on Tuesday that he would take legal action against the dismissal despite parliamentary support for gay weddings. ‘For me this is a personal case,’ explained Pijl. He also told reporters that God opposes same-sex marriages. ‘As a Christian I learned from the Bible that there is only one marriage, between a man and a woman.’ The Hague city government said through a spokesman that it had no other choice than to dismiss Pijl as he had ‘refused to take back his remarks.’ The Netherlands has 104 civil servants refusing to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, according to Dutch gay rights group COC.
Pray: for Pijl and others who are standing up for their Christian beliefs. May the Lord empower them to stand firm. (Ps.37:23)
