Think tank questions Government’s commitment
A think tank has criticised the Government’s record on supporting marriage and the family. The Centre for Social Justice gave the Government a score of just two out of 10 for its efforts to reverse high and damaging levels of family breakdown. Its new report has been published to coincide with the first anniversary of the formation of the Coalition. It says that pre-election promises by Prime Minister David Cameron to reinstate a tax break for marriage have ‘moved off the radar’ as a result of deals done with the Liberal Democrats. ‘Some of the vital measures committed to by the Conservative Party in opposition appear to have been watered down during Coalition negotiations,’ the report says. The report describes as ‘paltry’ the £7.5 million committed to relationship support, in spite of the evidence linking marriage and positive child development.
Pray: that the government would reconsider its strength of support for marriage and family. (Jer.29:6)
Many churches, one purpose
Whether traditional in form or an innovative fresh expression, the common task of the church is to help people to see God, themselves and the world as never before. So said the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at a Fresh Expressions conference held in Oxford on Friday to explore the question of how the ‘mixed economy’ of church might work in practice. Mixed economy is a term first coined by Dr Williams referring to the coexistence of fresh expressions and ‘inherited’ forms of church. Addressing Fresh Expressions practitioners from across the UK, the Archbishop explained his vision of the mixed economy as one in which churches in their various forms work alongside one another in helping people encounter Jesus, and discipling them at whatever stage in their faith journeys they may be at. The Archbishop suggested that the starting point for every church and every fresh expression was the encounter between Jesus and others. Pray: for the church as it considers how best to spread the Gospel message to widely diverse audiences. (Mk.16:15)
Christians must not shy away from dealing with death
Christians must not shy away from dealing with death, says Methodist President The Revd Alison Tomlin, who said that a faith that shies away from the issue of death is ‘neither real nor relevant’. Speaking as the Church launches its new booklet A Gift of Remembrance, Alison said: ‘Everyone is affected by death at some point in their lives. Because it can be emotionally difficult and painful it’s easy to want to put the issue to one side, to try not to think about it or deal with it. But as Christians we believe in a God of hope, a God who is with us even in the valley of the shadow of death.’ A Gift of Remembrance is a new booklet offering reflections on death, dying, mourning and loss. It includes Bible passages, prayers and reflections from a variety of authors. The booklet is being launched this week at the Christian Resources Exhibition at Sandown Park in Surrey.
Pray: for all those affected by bereavement and that this new book will be of help to many. (Mt.5:4)
More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=504
'Dancing with the Missing'
The Archbishop of York reflected on Sting's lyrics 'They Dance Alone' on BBC Radio 2 last week. He explained that during the Pinochet rule Chilean women pinned, on their dresses or blouses, photographs of disappeared loved ones. Sting’s lyrics and music of the song, ‘They Dance Alone’, captured their pain vividly. He went on to talk about how he spoke to Kate, the mother of Madeleine McCann, recently at a vigil in York Minster for another ‘disappeared’ daughter, Claudia Lawrence. She told me that it was only after Madeleine was taken from them that she and her husband Gerry learned how many children go missing each year from all around the world. The scale of the problem is so huge; it’s surprising we don’t hear more about it. The Bishop said, ‘For four years I have prayed regularly for Madeleine McCann, and for all other missing children that they may be safe, free from fear and anxiety.’ Pray: on this fourth anniversary of Madeleine’s abduction, for her and all missing children in our global village. (Je.23:4) More: http://www.archbishopofyork.org/articles.php/2020/pause-for-thought-on-dancing-with-the-missing
