Cuts spell end for Cardiff Street Pastors
A successful Street Pastors team in one of the UK's busiest cities is set to fold at the end of the month through lack of funding. The scheme costs approximately £25,000 to run and is largely supported by the Home Office, although it raises some of its own funding. The Street Pastors are accountable to the police and local authority as well as the Welsh Assembly Government. 'Like everyone, we're feeling the economic pinch,' explained Gary Smith, who runs Cardiff Street Pastors. 'It really is a huge shame because we believe we've done a significant work to help reduce crime on our city centre streets to its lowest figure for 25 years.' They have full support from the police, who have been actively, but as yet unsuccessfully, seeking new areas of funding', said Mr Smith. Inspector Tony Bishop, who is responsible for policing Cardiff city centre, described the Street Pastors' presence as 'invaluable'.' Pray: for new funding and reorganisation that will allow the Street Pastors to continue their important work in some form. (Pr.12:14)
Atheist to present BBC’s new Bible series
The BBC has chosen an atheist Hebrew scholar as the presenter of its new series on the Bible. In ‘The Bible’s Buried Secrets’ Dr Francesca Stavrakopoulou will guide viewers through some of the latest archaeological discoveries in the Middle East and consider how these may shape the world's understanding of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Some of the topics to be explored by the programme include the origins of the story of the Garden of Eden and the historical context of King David and his kingdom. According to The Telegraph, Dr Stavrakopoulou makes a number of assertions in the programme, notably about Eve. ‘Eve, particularly in the Christian tradition, has been very unfairly maligned as the troublesome wife who brought about the Fall,’ said Stavrakopoulou, a senior lecturer in the Hebrew Bible at the University of Exeter. ‘Don’t forget that the biblical writers are male and it’s a very male-dominated world. Women were second-class citizens, seen as property.’ Pray: that Dr Stavrakopolou will herself discover the truths of the Bible and that the Holy Spirit would speak through her. (Jn.4:24) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.to.present.bbcs.new.bible.series/27634.htm
Archbishop calls faithful to self-denial during Lent
In his pastoral letter to the Catholic Church, the Archbishop said repentance, self-denial, almsgiving and prayer were ‘part of the recipe’ for Lent. He said the season helped believers prepare to celebrate afresh ‘the great events of our faith’ – the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ. He asked Christians to think about how they could get involved and ‘learn again all that separates us from Christ’. Prayer too is crucial, he said, admitting that many Christians could find it difficult to commit to a period of prayer and reflection but encouraged them to ‘try it and see’. ‘I am fully aware of the pressure on time which we all feel. It is difficult to fit more into a busy routine,’ he said. ‘Yet Lent itself helps us to address this issue. Creating moments and times of space for prayer and reflection gives us new vitality and focus with which to return to our routine obligations.’ Pray: for us all to heed this message irrespective of denomination and to use Lent as a time for prayer and reflection. (Ps.141:2)
Bigger Conversation
People across Great Britain are getting ready to take a fresh look at the Gospel of Matthew during Lent with the Big Read. It is part of the Big Bible project, an online digital community that promotes regular Bible reading and engagement with contemporary culture. This year, it’s gone national on Twitter and Facebook and with multimedia resources available through the Big Bible blog, has a ‘blend’ of physical and digital materials. The Project is launching this year’s Big Read with Tom Wright's Lent for Everyone: Matthew. As well as using the book, house groups will be able to take advantage of free online study materials from a range of contributors, including week-by-week group resources, videos and audio reflections, and a challenge to carry that learning through the week. Big Bible offers a great opportunity to dust off your bible, share with your friends and neighbours and learn more about what God wants for your life. Pray: for the success of this project and that many people will re-open their Bibles and refresh their relationship with God. (Lk.24:45) More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=492
