Street Pastors 'have reduced river deaths'
Street Pastors have been praised by the fire service for their ‘immense’ contribution in reducing river deaths in Shrewsbury. The volunteers patrol streets at night, helping ‘vulnerable’ people who may be about to take their own lives. Since they began work in November 2011, no deaths have been recorded along the Shrewsbury stretch of the River Severn. From 2004 until the volunteers began their patrols in 2011, 29 deaths were recorded on the river. Shropshire fire chief John Redmond praised their work. The same week as the volunteers began a training course on water safety. Mr Redmond said the Street Pastors were now receiving training to help people struggling in the water. ‘The contribution from Street Pastors to community safety has been immense.’
Praise: God for those who volunteer to work with Street Pastors. (Jdg.5:9)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-24007237
‘Revival’ in South African schools
‘God is moving among the youth of South Africa,’ says Matt Hogarty, principal of Oasis Christian Academy in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. He says that as a result of what God has been doing at Oasis, a team from his school was invited to minister at a Government school in Pietermaritzburg and about 500 (learners) pupils there committed their lives to Jesus and there was a powerful time of ministry during which children opened up about issues of abuse and trauma in their lives. Source: Gateway News.
Praise: God and pray that this movement will continue. (Heb.10:22-24)
More: http://revivalmedia.org/2013/08/30/revival-in-south-african-schools-319-report-31/
‘Revival’ in South African schools
‘God is moving among the youth of South Africa,’ says Matt Hogarty, principal of Oasis Christian Academy in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. He says that as a result of what God has been doing at Oasis, a team from his school was invited to minister at a Government school in Pietermaritzburg and about 500 (learners) pupils there committed their lives to Jesus and there was a powerful time of ministry during which children opened up about issues of abuse and trauma in their lives. Source: Gateway News.
Praise: God and pray that this movement will continue. (Heb.10:22-24)
More: http://revivalmedia.org/2013/08/30/revival-in-south-african-schools-319-report-31/
UK retailers warned that 'Rana Plaza could happen again'
The President of the Bangledeshi National Garment Workers Federation has warned eight leading UK retailers that there could be a repeat of this year's Rana Plaza tragedy if they refuse to sign up to an international accord designed to protect Bangladeshi factory workers. Amirul Haque Amin, who is in the UK, addressed the Trades Union Congress Annual Conference this week, saying several high street names are still refusing to commit to the agreement that will make building inspections compulsory at Bangladeshi factories that supply fashion goods to UK stores. These brands include Matalan, River Island, Sports Direct/Republic, Jane Norman, Peacocks, Bench, Mexx and Bank Fashion. The TUC is asking consumers touched by the Dhaka tragedy to use social media to build pressure on the UK clothing brands that are refusing to sign up. The e-action allows consumers to write directly to the companies and tell them to support strengthening health and safety protection for Bangladeshi textile workers.
Pray: for all retailers to recognise their responsibility to the workers who supply them with goods and that they will all sign up to the accord. (Lev.25:53)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/19013
Christians arrested in blockade at Arms Fair
Five Christians have been arrested for successfully blockading the Custom House entrance in London at an arms fair supplying weapons to repressive regimes. For over forty minutes the group, associated with the activist organisation Christianity Uncut and supported by a range of other NGOs including Christian CND, sat and lay down at the entrance of the Defence and Security Exhibition International (DSEi), which is backed by the UK government and has as its guests a range of dictators and autocrats, including the armers of President Assad in Syria. The protesters recited the Lord's Prayer, and one of the people arrested also announced the 23rd Psalm boldly while being dragged away by police. Superglue was used to secure the gate by the anti-arms activists. The first two people arrested included a trainee Methodist minister and the third was Quaker activist Chris Wood. Two others were removed. All were driven away to be charged.
Pray: for those protesting in this controversial area and give the authorities discernment and wisdom. (Is.2:4)
More: http://christianityuncut.wordpress.com/news/
Bedroom tax should be axed, says UN investigator
During a visit to the UK the United Nations' special investigator on housing has told the British government it should scrap the bedroom tax, after hearing ‘shocking’ accounts of how the policy was affecting vulnerable citizens. Britain's record on housing was also worsening from a human rights perspective, Raquel Rolnik, the UN special rapporteur on housing, said in a Guardian interview after presenting her preliminary findings to the Government. After speaking to dozens of council house tenants in Britain during her visit over the past fortnight, Rolnik said she was particularly concerned by the impact of bedroom tax, officially known as the new spare room subsidy. The policy was introduced by the Government in April, and is designed to charge tenants extra for under-occupying homes that are supposedly too large for them.
Pray: that the Government will reconsider its decisions on the so called bedroom tax. (Lk.20:22)
More: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/11/bedroom-tax-should-be-axed-says-un-investigator
Former Lord Chancellor calls for marriage tax breaks
Lord Lawson has called for married couples to be recognised in the tax system, saying that the policy was the ‘most cost effective’ way of helping poor families. Writing in a report commissioned by Christian charity Care, the former Lord Chancellor said that ‘the case for transferable allowances remains as strong as ever, arguing that marriage tax breaks would be a better way to help low-income households than increasing personal allowances. ‘IA transferable allowance is not only family-friendly but provides a far more cost-effective means of reducing the tax burden on low-income households than can be achieved by an across-the-board increase in personal allowances,’ he said. The report, entitled ‘Independent Taxation – 25 years on, Does it meet today’s needs?’ argues that the current system results in families facing an unfair tax burden.
Pray: that the authorities will listen to the wisdom available from people like Lord Lawson. (Job.32;7)
German Social Services snatch homeschool children
The Wunderlich children have been taken from their parents because of the decision to homeschool. German social services officials have raided the home of a family and abducted their children on the sole grounds that the parents were exercising their right to home-school. The armed raid occurred on the morning of 29 August. The team of 20 SS personnel, police officers and special agents approached the home with a battering ram after Judge Koenig, a Darmstadt family court judge, authorized force ‘against the children” since the children had “adopted the parents’ opinions.’ The four children, ages 7-14, were all forcibly removed and taken to unknown locations, leaving the parents devastated. Home School Legal Defence Association obtained the court documents authorizing the seizure. The documents reveal that the only legal grounds for action against the family was their decision to home-school. There were no allegations of abuse or neglect, nor any concern that the children were receiving inadequate education.
Pray: for homeschool families that the Universal Declaration on Human Rights will be upheld. (Pr.31:9)
German Social Services snatch homeschool children
The Wunderlich children have been taken from their parents because of the decision to homeschool. German social services officials have raided the home of a family and abducted their children on the sole grounds that the parents were exercising their right to home-school. The armed raid occurred on the morning of 29 August. The team of 20 SS personnel, police officers and special agents approached the home with a battering ram after Judge Koenig, a Darmstadt family court judge, authorized force ‘against the children” since the children had “adopted the parents’ opinions.’ The four children, ages 7-14, were all forcibly removed and taken to unknown locations, leaving the parents devastated. Home School Legal Defence Association obtained the court documents authorizing the seizure. The documents reveal that the only legal grounds for action against the family was their decision to home-school. There were no allegations of abuse or neglect, nor any concern that the children were receiving inadequate education.
Pray: for homeschool families that the Universal Declaration on Human Rights will be upheld. (Pr.31:9)
NIGERIA: Anglican Bishop kidnapped
The Dean of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Ignatius Kattey, was abducted at about 10.30pm on Friday, as he journeyed in the company of his wife, Beatrice, from Eleme to Port Harcourt. It was gathered that the abductors later freed the bishop's wife following a chase by the police. The Bishop was taken to an unknown destination. ‘It was the hot pursuit by the police that forced the kidnappers to abandon the wife. The police are still combing the axis. Very soon, he will be secured unhurt. I mean very soon. I believe God will assist us and we will rescue him.’ A senior member of the Anglican Church said no contact has been established with the suspects, adding that the whereabouts of the bishop remain unknown. As at press time, no ransom demand has been made by the abductors. Church members said they are praying for the victim’s unconditional release and would not think of paying any ransom.
Pray: that Archbishop Kattey will be unharmed and released soon. (Ps.146:7)
More: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/national-news/132213-anglican-bishop-kidnapped-in-rivers