All three main Westminster parties have been reshuffling their teams. David Cameron has promoted three women, though none of them have been given a cabinet post. Across the board, women are taking more prominent roles - a net increase of four in government, and 44% of Labour's shadow cabinet are female. The only change in the coalition cabinet comes with the Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael as the new Scottish Secretary. There have also been changes to the Labour team.Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg has been replaced by Tristram Hunt while Jim Murphy, another senior figure, is moved from defence to international development. Andy Burnham is to stay as shadow health secretary. Mr Moore was the only cabinet minister to lose his job in Monday's coalition reshuffle, which has largely focused on middle-ranking and junior ministerial positions. Has the political territory shifted, or is it just the personalities that have been moved?
Pray: for the members of our government and those involved in the reshuffle that God will give them insight and guidance in their role. (Pr.1:5)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19475248
Former leader of the Scottish National Party, Gordon Wilson, has been kicked off the board of Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) – because of his support for traditional marriage.
Earlier this month Mr Wilson responded to a Government consultation on redefining marriage, saying he was opposed to the idea. He said: ‘You attack the building block of society at your peril’ and he called for a referendum on the issue. But expressing his beliefs appear to have cost him his position at Dundee CAB – a group that offers free advice to the public about legal rights. At yesterday’s annual general meeting of Dundee CAB, members blocked his re-election as one of twelve directors. Mr Wilson was accused of being anti-equality and a total of 21 members voted against his re-election. At the meeting he pointed out the irony that CAB receives taxpayers money for tackling religious discrimination.
Pray: for Mr Wilson and his courage to speak out. Also pray for the CAB to recognise the double standards they are operating and to reconsider their action. (Dt.31:6)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/cab-dumps-former-snp-chief-for-traditional-marriage-views/
Marriage is an honourable institution and Church of England clergy should do all they can to protect it from redefinition, the chairman of Reform has warned. The Westminster Government is planning to launch a consultation in March on how, not if, to redefine marriage. But Revd Rod Thomas has urged clergy to do all they can ‘in the coming months to prepare our people well to respond to this consultation and make our voices heard.’ He warned that redefining marriage to allow same-sex marriage would fundamentally undermine the institution. Writing in the Church of England newspaper he said: ‘Iit would undermine the stability of society. If marriage is no longer one of the ‘givens’, then it simply becomes a matter of prevailing opinion. ‘If the present Government can alter its definition, then how do we know it might not change again in the future? It becomes something that is malleable rather than being rock solid.’
Pray: for the clergy as they prepare to lead the Church in its response to this challenge. (Pr.2:8)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/c-of-e-clergy-must-do-all-they-can-to-protect-marriage/
The British Humanist Association is gearing up for a major advertising campaign calling upon cultural Christians to tick ‘no religion’ in the forthcoming census. BHA will be running posters on buses and trains telling the non-religious: ‘If you’re not religious then for God’s sake say so.’ The 2001 census was the first to ask British people ‘What is your religion?’, although answering was voluntary. Seventy-two per cent of the population in England answered the question by identifying themselves as Christians. This year, the census in England and Wales will ask: ‘What is your religion?’, while in Scotland it will say: ‘What religion, religious denomination or body do you belong to?’ In a bid to address concerns over accuracy, the Office for National Statistics has introduced a small change to the tick options, replacing ‘none’ with ‘no religion’. The census takes place this year on March 27. Pray: for the Government as these statistics are likely to change the way the Government thinks and pray that it makes wise decisions. (Jas.1:26-27) census/27569.htm
Budget creating 'huge hardship'
27 Aug 2010
Church Action on Poverty has voiced concern over the impact of George Osborne’s Budget one day after a respected think tank warned that financial cutbacks were hitting the poor hardest. The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the Budget had been ‘clearly regressive’ and was hitting low earners more than those in the upper income brackets. Niall Cooper, CAP’s Coordinator, said ‘the IFS’s report had confirmed the group’s worst fears that the Budget was hitting those already struggling to get by and least in the position to cope with cuts to income, welfare and services. They are people who are already just keeping their heads above water and struggling to keep up with their debt repayments and living costs. Even a five per cent loss of income may not sound like very much but it is enough to tip some people over the edge. The cuts are creating huge hardship.’ he said. Pray: that the government will seriously consider the needs of the most vulnerable in our society. More:http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/budget.creating.huge.hardship.church.group.warns/26584.htm
Buckingham Palace is being consulted over proposals to change a historic Parliamentary chapel into a multi-denominational room so that it can be used to conduct same sex marriages. MP Chris Bryant proposed that St Mary Undercroft in Westminster be turned into a ‘multi-faith’ space to allow some minority groups to perform same sex weddings in Parliament. The move would require the Church of England to break its ties with the Anglican chapel through legislation brought forward by Parliament or the Church’s General Synod. The demand has the support of John Bercow, the Speaker, putting him in opposition to the Archbishop of Canterbury who is being kept informed of the row by parliamentary officials. The Queen’s private secretary Sir Christopher Geidt is being consulted over the plans which are strongly backed by Equalities Minister. Permission from the Queen will be needed for the plans to go ahead due to her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
Pray: the Queen will not be asked to take any action that would go against her coronation oath to maintain in the Church of England, the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government by law established in England. (ITim.2:1-4)
Broadcasting a Back to Church welcome
11 Sep 2010
The Church of England is advertising Back to Church Sunday 2010, September 26, on the radio stations Classic FM and Heart FM, to deliver a message of welcome into the homes of 1.3 million people. The adverts will support 400,000 personal invitations that members of over 4,000 churches will send to their friends, when the friend-inviting-a-friend initiative enters its seventh successive year of allowing people to rediscover and explore churchgoing with a very warm welcome. The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr John Inge, whose diocese is one of those investing in the advertising, said: ‘We’ve chosen these two stations as they get to places we can’t and talk to some of those we’ve lost touch with via the unique relationship people have with radio. Some three million people said they would go back to church if invited - and the adverts are helping us give the people we’re missing that warm invitation.’ Pray: for those who receive or hear this invitation that they will be greatly encouraged to return to church. (Isa.44:22)
Many people are unaware that a number of everyday phrases come from the King James Version of the Bible, instead attributing them to pop stars, politicians or Shakespeare. In a poll for the Bible Society less than a fifth of people correctly said the phrase ‘The writing on the wall’ comes from the KJV. Over 10 per cent thought ‘a drop in the bucket’ came from Tony Blair, and 14 per cent attributed it to Shakespeare. In fact Isaiah 40:15 is where it originates. Luke Walton, from the Bible Society, said: ‘It’s clear that people’s knowledge of the Bible is limited and they just don’t realise how significant and wide-ranging its influence has been.’ He added: ‘Making a connection with the text helps us both to appreciate its role in our own culture, history and politics, and that it can enrich our lives personally. The Bible remains the world’s best seller and we can’t afford to exclude it from public life.’
Pray: for a wider recognition of the importance of the Bible in the life of our nation. (Mk.12:24)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/brits-clueless-that-common-phrases-come-from-the-bible