Reform the ECGD, don't abolish it
Jubilee Debt Campaign, which works for the cancellation of unpayable and unjust poor country debts, says it wants the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) reformed not abolished. Responding to press reports that the ECGD is ‘under review’ as part of the Government’s ‘bonfire of quangos’, Nick Dearden, director of the UK coalition, commented: ‘We welcome the news that the ECGD is being considered for serious reform. For too long it has underwritten dodgy deals which have harmed human rights and the environment, and created toxic debts in the developing world. But scrapping or privatising the ECGD would leave unanswered questions about whether the state would continue as an underwriter of last resort for UK exports, and how the Government plans to fulfil its manifesto pledge to champion green exports. Privatisation could make the situation even worse if it means public money being spent with no public oversight’. Pray: that the Government will seriously consider reforming the ECGD. (Job.35:2-3)
Children suffer when parents abandon 'tough love'
Frank Field claims that young people do much better in life if their mothers and fathers set clear boundaries for their behaviour as well as bonding with them and reading to them. The former Labour minister, who is now the Coalition’s ‘poverty tsar’, believes that the end of old-fashioned parenting has held back the poorest children, preventing them from getting good jobs. He proposes that the Foundation Years stage of education, which currently runs from birth to five, should begin when the mother-to-be registers as pregnant with a doctor. In his article today, Mr Field writes that social mobility has stalled over the past 50 years despite rising incomes. He claims the ‘subtle and influential’ force affecting life chances for children is the changing style of parenting in Britain. ‘The sociologist Geoffrey Gorer asked why England had moved by the 1950s from being a pretty violent and uncivilised nation to one of respectability.’ Tough love. Pray: that Frank Field’s report is accepted by all parents to improve the life chances of their young. (Mk 10:19)
EU warns France of action over Roma
The European Commission has told France that it faces action over its expulsion of Roma (Gypsy) migrants if it fails to adopt EU rules on freedom of movement by 15 October. France welcomed the fact that the EU was not accusing it of discrimination. But Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said France had not respected a 2004 EU directive on freedom of movement. The controversial expulsions of thousands of Roma led to a serious row between Brussels and Paris. ‘France is not enforcing European law as it should on free movement, so we are launching an infringement process against France,’ Ms Reding told France 24 television. Ms Reding also says France has failed to transpose into law a 2004 EU directive on freedom of movement, which sets out procedures for deporting migrants deemed to be staying illegally. (See Prayer Alert 3810 & 3510) Pray: that the French government reconsiders its current decisions over the Roma. (2Ch.19:7) More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11437361
EU warns France of action over Roma
The European Commission has told France that it faces action over its expulsion of Roma (Gypsy) migrants if it fails to adopt EU rules on freedom of movement by 15 October. France welcomed the fact that the EU was not accusing it of discrimination. But Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said France had not respected a 2004 EU directive on freedom of movement. The controversial expulsions of thousands of Roma led to a serious row between Brussels and Paris. ‘France is not enforcing European law as it should on free movement, so we are launching an infringement process against France,’ Ms Reding told France 24 television. Ms Reding also says France has failed to transpose into law a 2004 EU directive on freedom of movement, which sets out procedures for deporting migrants deemed to be staying illegally. (See Prayer Alert 3810 & 3510) Pray: that the French government reconsiders its current decisions over the Roma. (2Ch.19:7) More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11437361
European Baptists and Protestants agree to cooperate
The European Baptist Federation (EBF) and the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) have signed an agreement committing the two organisations to closer collaboration. The agreement was signed at a meeting of the EBF near Rome last week by its General Secretary, Tony Peck, and the General Secretary of the CPCE, Michael Buenker. The two organisations are now ‘mutually cooperating bodies’ and will attend each other’s council meetings and general assemblies. The agreement also binds them to regular joint meetings and consultations to explore points of common interest and concern. Peck welcomed the agreement as a ‘clear sign of closer cooperation. Both branches of the Reformation have much to give to each other and much to receive from each other,’ he said. Formal and informal relations already exist between many CPCE churches and EBF unions in several European countries, including Britain. Pray: for this move of cooperation will be a step towards bringing unity in God’s Church. (Jn.17:23) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/european.baptists.and.protestants.sign.agreement.of.cooperation/26815.htm
European Baptists and Protestants agree to cooperate
The European Baptist Federation (EBF) and the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) have signed an agreement committing the two organisations to closer collaboration. The agreement was signed at a meeting of the EBF near Rome last week by its General Secretary, Tony Peck, and the General Secretary of the CPCE, Michael Buenker. The two organisations are now ‘mutually cooperating bodies’ and will attend each other’s council meetings and general assemblies. The agreement also binds them to regular joint meetings and consultations to explore points of common interest and concern. Peck welcomed the agreement as a ‘clear sign of closer cooperation. Both branches of the Reformation have much to give to each other and much to receive from each other,’ he said. Formal and informal relations already exist between many CPCE churches and EBF unions in several European countries, including Britain. Pray: for this move of cooperation will be a step towards bringing unity in God’s Church. (Jn.17:23) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/european.baptists.and.protestants.sign.agreement.of.cooperation/26815.htm
Romania: Gypsies find hope in Christ
The European Union has deported more than 1,000 gypsy people in recent weeks, and most are being sent back to Romania where they face a life of poverty and deprivation. But Christian groups are working to bring hope to Romania's gypsies. For many, it has led to a relationship with God. After years of mission work in Romania, Kevin Hoy realized gypsies have often struggled with advancing in Romanian society. In 2009 he witnessed what many call the ‘Toflea miracle,’ where 500 gypsies in southeast Romania were baptized after accepting Christ. It was the largest baptism in Romania's history. Hundreds more in Tileagd answered the call to Christ this year. ‘What you realize as you travel around is so many of the gypsy communities haven't moved forward at all,’ Hoy said. ‘They are exactly where they were, whether it's 10 years, 20 years - they haven't moved at all.’ (See also Prayer Alert 3510 ) Praise: God for the work of the Holy Spirit and pray that many more will be blessed. (Gen.1:28a) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/September/Romanian-Gypsies-Find-Hope-in-Christ/
Romania: Gypsies find hope in Christ
The European Union has deported more than 1,000 gypsy people in recent weeks, and most are being sent back to Romania where they face a life of poverty and deprivation. But Christian groups are working to bring hope to Romania's gypsies. For many, it has led to a relationship with God. After years of mission work in Romania, Kevin Hoy realized gypsies have often struggled with advancing in Romanian society. In 2009 he witnessed what many call the ‘Toflea miracle,’ where 500 gypsies in southeast Romania were baptized after accepting Christ. It was the largest baptism in Romania's history. Hundreds more in Tileagd answered the call to Christ this year. ‘What you realize as you travel around is so many of the gypsy communities haven't moved forward at all,’ Hoy said. ‘They are exactly where they were, whether it's 10 years, 20 years - they haven't moved at all.’ (See also Prayer Alert 3510 ) Praise: God for the work of the Holy Spirit and pray that many more will be blessed. (Gen.1:28a) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/September/Romanian-Gypsies-Find-Hope-in-Christ/
Outreach brings Leicester to a standstill
Residents of and visitors to Leicester were told to ‘come just as you are’ on Saturday, September 18, 2010, as the Jesus Loves Leicestershire's (JLL) team hosted its fourth annual ‘Fire And Glory’ event in the Leicester city centre. And come they did, as thousands of shoppers and onlookers flocked to the huge stage at Humberstone Gate, one of the main shopping streets in Leicester, to witness one of the city's biggest annual Christian outreach events. Praise groups, singers, rappers and evangelists took to the stage for a successful day of worship, praise and thanksgiving. Local resident Maria Moseley, 62, from Leicester Christian Fellowship, spoke of how she had been healed of osteoarthritis after spending 28 years in a wheelchair. Praise: God for this initiative and answers to prayer. (Ps.3:4) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8239
Outreach brings Leicester to a standstill
Residents of and visitors to Leicester were told to ‘come just as you are’ on Saturday, September 18, 2010, as the Jesus Loves Leicestershire's (JLL) team hosted its fourth annual ‘Fire And Glory’ event in the Leicester city centre. And come they did, as thousands of shoppers and onlookers flocked to the huge stage at Humberstone Gate, one of the main shopping streets in Leicester, to witness one of the city's biggest annual Christian outreach events. Praise groups, singers, rappers and evangelists took to the stage for a successful day of worship, praise and thanksgiving. Local resident Maria Moseley, 62, from Leicester Christian Fellowship, spoke of how she had been healed of osteoarthritis after spending 28 years in a wheelchair. Praise: God for this initiative and answers to prayer. (Ps.3:4) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8239