Russia/ U.S.: Seek to convene Syria peace conference
Russia and the United States agreed on Tuesday to try to bring together Syria's warring parties at an international conference, possibly by the end of this month, in an attempt to negotiate an end to their civil war Russia - a staunch ally of Assad – has blocked sanctions against Syria at the United Nations and has supplied Syria with arms. Both Russia and the United States have made clear that peace efforts have been stepped up because of growing concern that the violence could spread beyond Syria. Israel carried out two air strikes against Syria recently. On April 25th the White House said US intelligence agencies believe Syria may well have used chemical weapons against its own people, a view which if confirmed would mark a further escalation in the conflict. Both the US and Russia are concerned that Syria may be dominated by Islamists - threatening Israel, Jordan and Lebanon.
Pray: for joint international peace talks. Pray against the region being further destabilised. (Ps.9:15-18)
More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/07/us-syria-crisis-conference-idUSBRE94612S20130507
USA: School lesbian role-play
In a New York ‘anti-bullying presentation to 13-14yr olds on gender identity and sexual orientation’ a girl was instructed to ask another girl for a kiss. Parents were annoyed that no notice was given about the class, which included the now mandatory sex education teaching, ‘it’s OK to have sex when you are ready’. Many believe that similar classes run by homosexuals, or designed to further the gay cause, are about desensitising and indoctrinating youth with State philosophy that homosexuality is both acceptable and to be promoted. The US National Organisation for Marriage said such lessons will become the norm in schools across the USA the moment ‘gay marriage’ is legalised, as it was in New York in July 2011. Meanwhile in Texas a high school track team was disqualified in state championships on Friday because the team's anchor runner made a ‘God gesture’ to thank God for their victory.
Pray: that school programmes and philosophy will not be used as a springboard for breaking Christian traditions. (Lev.18:5)
More: http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/index.php/2013may03ny/
Calling young people: this is your OPPortunity to shine
Young people are being encouraged to apply for one-year placements with a variety of innovative church projects throughout Britain. The opportunities range from working with young people directly affected by drug and alcohol problems to addressing some of the UK's most pressing social issues on a national scale. The One Programme is a paid year out for young people aged 16 to 23 years old. One Programme Participants (known as OPPs) are paid to work 15 hours a week: nine hours in a local church project and six hours for training and other national work. The projects are selected by a panel of young people and key-workers. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to make a difference in their own communities and will be paid a living wage. Hayley Moss, Methodist Youth President, said: “It offers excellent opportunities both for the young people and the projects hosting them.
Pray: for the One Programme and the young people who engage with it. (Tit.3:8)
Christian Aid Week 'bites back at hunger'
Christian Aid Week (12-18 May 2013) Britain’s longest running door-to-door fundraising week, will this year be urging the British public to "bite back at hunger" and ask why, in a world where there is a enough food for everyone, one in eight people go to bed hungry every night. Hunger is the world’s biggest health risk. It kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. In developing countries, a third of all child deaths are linked to hunger. But tackling hunger with sustainable solutions has long-term benefits. Paul Langley, Head of Inspiring Participation at Christian Aid, said: ‘With one in eight people in the world going to bed hungry every night, Christian Aid Week offers the British public the opportunity to bite back at hunger. The money raised will help poor communities around the world grow more food by adapting to climate change and securing land rights, so they can meet their immediate food needs.
Pray: for all those working for Christian Aid week and for a massive public response to the appeal. (Pr.14:31)
More: http: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18355
Church of England urged to take 'urgent' action on child abuse
The Church of England risks a ticking “time bomb” if it does not take urgent action to prevent further incidents of child abuse, a report has warned. A single new case of abuse will immediately expose any weakness in the system if corners are cut when implementing the best professional standards, it said. Investigators looking into child protection policies following abuse scandals in the Chichester diocese found that safeguarding of children and other vulnerable people had fallen “woefully short” of what should be expected. They said the church should not be daunted by the difficulties ahead and that positive action was essential. The report, which was ordered by Dr Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, said it was “inevitable” that there were victims of abusing clergy in Chichester who had not yet come forward and that, however difficult it may be, church leaders should do all they could to encourage those people to do so.
Pray: for courage and determination for the church to 'get its house in order' on this matter. . (Eph.4:15-19)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10036297/Church-of-England-urged-to-take-urgent-action-on-child-abuse.html
Catholic midwives' abortion victory welcomed
The Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has welcomed a court ruling upholding the right to conscientious objection of two midwives who refused to have any role in abortion procedures. Mary Doogan, 58, and Concepta Wood, 52, both practising Catholics, challenged NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on having to delegate, supervise or support staff involved in terminations. They lost a previous case against the health board when a judge ruled that their human rights had not been violated because they were not directly involved in carrying out terminations. But a court of appeal in Edinburgh ruled on Wednesday that conscientious objection could apply to supporting staff involved in abortions. The right to conscientious objection is protected by the 1967 Abortion Act. Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow, said the decision by the appeal judges was a ‘victory for freedom of conscience and for common sense’.
Praise: God for the court ruling. (Dt.25:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/catholic.midwives.abortion.victory.welcomed/32233.htm
Catholic midwives' abortion victory welcomed
The Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has welcomed a court ruling upholding the right to conscientious objection of two midwives who refused to have any role in abortion procedures. Mary Doogan, 58, and Concepta Wood, 52, both practising Catholics, challenged NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on having to delegate, supervise or support staff involved in terminations. They lost a previous case against the health board when a judge ruled that their human rights had not been violated because they were not directly involved in carrying out terminations. But a court of appeal in Edinburgh ruled on Wednesday that conscientious objection could apply to supporting staff involved in abortions. The right to conscientious objection is protected by the 1967 Abortion Act. Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow, said the decision by the appeal judges was a ‘victory for freedom of conscience and for common sense’.
Praise: God for the court ruling. (Dt.25:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/catholic.midwives.abortion.victory.welcomed/32233.htm
Council of Europe tells member states to respect conscience
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe this week passed a resolution calling on its 47 member states to accommodate religious beliefs in the public sphere. The resolution asks member states to guarantee freedom of thought in relation to health care, education and the civil service ‘provided that the rights of others to be free from discrimination are respected and that the access to lawful services is guaranteed’. The resolution was passed on Wednesday by 148 votes to three. It also called on States to ‘ensure the right to well-defined conscientious objection in relation to morally sensitive matters’. The Christian Legal Centre, welcomed the outcome. The advocacy group recently asked the European Court of Human Rights to grant a hearing at the Grand Chamber on the cases of two British Christians who lost their discrimination claims earlier this year.
Praise: God for the resolution by the Council of Europe and pray for its outworking. (Jam.2:12)
Council of Europe tells member states to respect conscience
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe this week passed a resolution calling on its 47 member states to accommodate religious beliefs in the public sphere. The resolution asks member states to guarantee freedom of thought in relation to health care, education and the civil service ‘provided that the rights of others to be free from discrimination are respected and that the access to lawful services is guaranteed’. The resolution was passed on Wednesday by 148 votes to three. It also called on States to ‘ensure the right to well-defined conscientious objection in relation to morally sensitive matters’. The Christian Legal Centre, welcomed the outcome. The advocacy group recently asked the European Court of Human Rights to grant a hearing at the Grand Chamber on the cases of two British Christians who lost their discrimination claims earlier this year.
Praise: God for the resolution by the Council of Europe and pray for its outworking. (Jam.2:12)
'Be vigilant,' Ann Widdecombe tells UK Christians
Ann Widdecombe has called on Christians to put pressure on the UK government to take action against persecution of Christians overseas – and to stop it developing here. Speaking at an event held last week in south London, the former government minister and media personality warned that today's ‘small scale persecution’ of UK Christians could dramatically worsen unless people began to ‘fight back’. Her message calling on Christians to ‘be extremely vigilant’ was delivered at an event organised by Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic charity for persecuted and other suffering Christians. The former MP, who was speaking on the 20th anniversary of her conversion to Catholicism, said: ‘It's very easy to look at extreme cases abroad, to say thank God we don't have that here and then to overlook what we do have here, which is an increasing intolerance and marginalisation towards, and of, Christians.’
Pray: that Christians everywhere will be vigilant and seek God’s wisdom. (Pr.4:6)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/be.vigilant.ann.widdecombe.tells.uk.christians/32240.htm