Charity calls for action to close gap between rich and poor
Church Action on Poverty has called for a closing of the growing gap between rich and poor in the UK. They are also mobilising faith communities to conduct their own counts of street homeless people, as official statistics have been shown to underestimate the numbers of people sleeping rough. The charity is using Poverty and Homelessness Action Week, which runs from 29 January to 4 February, to highlight that while the UK remains one of the five richest nations on the planet, more than one in five here live below the poverty line. CAP supports its case for inequality pointing out that the wealth of the top 10 per cent is now 100 times higher than the net wealth of the poorest 10 per cent. The three-year Close the Gap campaign will aim to mobilise thousands of people across the faith communities to give, act and pray to close the wealth gap (www.church-poverty.org.uk). Pray: for such initiatives that seek to support the most vulnerable in our communities. (Ac.20:35)
Charity begins at home?
Marolin Watson of Hope UK has expressed concern that we are quick to support international outreach, but may be neglecting the needs on our own doorstep? Children and young people in Great Britain are losing their way for want of spiritual guidance and direction. Many children and young people have little more than a rudimentary understanding of the Bible. A recent article in the Telegraph (Prayer Alert 2410) reported an Ofsted finding that ‘Schools are neglecting to teach children the core beliefs of Christianity in religious education lessons’. This is illustrated in the article by a recent survey of more than 500 12-year-olds which revealed that only 54% knew that Christians celebrated the Resurrection at Easter. Is it any wonder, then, that practically a whole generation have no core values by which to order their lives and their behaviour? Marolin writes ‘The Church must do more to help save this generation.’ Pray: for our young people and for the many initiatives that are beginning to address these concerns. (Jdg.2:10) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/charity.begins.at.home/26496.htm
Charity aims for joint ‘sexting’ prevention pilot with police
A Scottish children’s charity is hoping to establish a joint pilot project with the Police to tackle the growing problem of ‘sexting’ in Scotland. ‘Sexting’ – the practice of sending sexually explicit images via text, email and social networking websites – has become an increasing concern amidst other types of sexual exploitation of youngsters on the internet. The
news comes following recent research by Plymouth University, which found that 40 per cent of 14 to 15-year-olds did not see anything inappropriate about a topless photo. The pilot is being set up by Stop it Now! Scotland (SNS), which campaigns against child abuse, along with Lothian and Borders Police, Barnardo’s Scotland and the Scottish Crime and Enforcement Agency. Initially it will involve SNS workers visiting children who have been reported to the Police and their parents to talk through the impact of such behaviour. If successful, it will be rolled out across Scotland.
Pray: that this pilot scheme will lead to solving this form of abuse of the young. (Pr.2:7)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/charity-aims-for-joint-sexting-prevention-pilot-with-police/
Charities want parliamentary inquiry into UK food poverty
Church Action on Poverty and Oxfam have called for a parliamentary inquiry into the rise of food poverty in the UK. The two charities say that more than half a million people in the UK are hungry and reliant on food aid, with many turning to food banks. Changes to welfare and delays, errors or sanctions regarding the payment of benefits are two areas they want the inquiry to look into. In a joint report, Walking the Breadline, the two charities say the most common reason for people approaching food banks is the changes to crisis loan eligibility rules, delays in payments, Jobseeker's Allowance sanctions, and sickness benefit reassessments. Other contributing factors identified in the report are unemployment, the rising cost of food and fuel, and low and falling incomes. Oxfam chief executive Mark Goldring said: "The shocking reality is that hundreds of thousands of people in the UK are also now reliant on food aid.
Pray: for all those who face food poverty and for the organisations that support them. Pray also for the government to agree to a parliamentary inquiry. (1Jn.3:17)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/charities.want.parliamentary.inquiry.into.uk.food.poverty/32616.htm
Chaplains to the Armed Forces
A total of about 300 Uniformed Service Chaplains are attached to ships and units of all 3 Armed Services around the world. 15-20 of them are deployed in Afghanistan at any one time. Theirs can be a dangerous, demanding, fulfilling and rewarding role as they live and work with other deployed servicemen and women. For an insight into what their work entails, visit the website below. Pray: for all Chaplains in whatever unusual and unique pasturing situations they find themselves. For spiritual wisdom, guidance, the right words, encouragement and that the Holy Spirit would continue to refresh and replenish them. (Col.4:2-6) More: http://britisharmy.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/that-we-had-no-kind-of-font-or-baptistry-was-irrelevant/
Chaplains of the Armed Forces
There are over 450 Service Chaplains both full and part time attached to ships, units and stations, at home and abroad, ministering to Service personnel and their families. Some deploy to operational theatres such as Afghanistan and other areas of the world, others remain based at home. They spend time with service personnel and their families wherever they may be. They all offer spiritual and moral support and guidance, they live in the same conditions and share the same dangers and stress as all service personnel. They visit the sick, injured and bereaved and spend time with those who may have been involved in a variety of traumas. The demands on the Chaplains continues to increase and yet at the forefront of the ministry is prayer and worship.
Pray: for Chaplains in what can be a demanding and increasingly busy and challenging role. For spiritual wisdom, guidance, the right words, encouragement and that the Holy Spirit would continue to refresh and replenish them. For civilian clergy to offer themselves for ministry in the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Airforce. (Col.4:2-6)