7 Short reports and links @ 7.00 am
Church of England launches Lent app
Christinity Today – Reflections for Lent, from Church House Publishing, offers daily reflections on Bible passages from authors Martyn Percy, Principal of Ripon College, Angela Tilby, Anglican priest in Cambridge, and Jane Williams, lecturer at St Mellitus College, London, and visiting lecturer at King’s College, London. Church House Publishing surveyed the nation on its Lenten habits and found a mixed landscape when it comes to what people are planning to give up – or do.
Read more – http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.of.england.launches.lent.app/29351.htm
Susan Boyle promotes fundraising for Lent
UKPA – Singer Susan Boyle has become a chef for the day, cooking pancakes with school children before the start of Lent. The Britain’s Got Talent star flipped pancakes with Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, and catering students at St Augustine’s High School in Edinburgh. The cooking was to raise awareness of Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s (Sciaf) Wee Box, Big Change fundraising campaign.
Read more – http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jUNiehD5nqXFGqwb2MHzKCUKcM0g?docId=N0665711329837246472A
Unite launches association to address employment issues in C of E
HR magazine – A new association dedicated to the employment issues of Church of England (CoE) has been launched by trade union by Unite. The Church of England Clergy Association (CECA) will be open to all CoE clergy. The first CECA chair, Revd. Pete Hobson said: “There has been an increased professionalism over recent years in the ways the Church of England manages the employment of its clergy, who are on the frontline of pastoral care on a daily basis. “The recent tragic case of the murder of Revd. John Suddards in his own Gloucester vicarage illustrates the risks clergy are exposed to in their daily working lives. “The formation of the Association follows talks with the House of Clergy of the General Synod, which has regularly voted to support the creation of a body of this sort.
Read more – http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/hro/news/1020894/unite-launches-association-address-employment-issues-church-england
Coptic Orthodox Church launches new ministry in the City
Christinity Today – The Coptic Orthodox Church has launched a new ministry in the City of London. The St Paul Ministry, launched by the Church’s leader Bishop Angaelos, will offer an English language service in the beautiful St Mary-le-Bow church in the heart of the financial district. The first service will take place on March 4 at 10am and, although in English, will maintain the traditional Coptic spirituality and hymnology.
Read more – http://www.christiantoday.com/article/coptic.orthodox.church.launches.new.ministry.in.the.city/29356.htm
Leeds Parish Church’s joy at move to be a minster
Yorkshire Evening Post – Leeds Parish Church is to reclaim an “ancient title” and become Leeds Minster. The honour is a fitting tribute to the city’s Church of England roots, said the Rector of Leeds Tony Bundock. The new status will recognise the vital role St Peter’s church plays in the community, he added.
Read more – http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/leeds_parish_church_s_joy_at_move_to_be_a_minster_1_4267163
Lichfield Cathedral celebrates Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Christinity Today – The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were among the guests at a service of thanksgiving for the Queen at Lichfield Cathedral on Sunday. The service was held as part of nationwide celebrations taking place throughout the year to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It was hosted jointly by the Queen’s Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Sir James Hawley, and the Chairman of Staffordshire County Council, Frank Lewis. Around 700 people attended the special Jubilee Evensong. Almost all of the music sung at the service was performed either at the Coronation service in 1953 or on other royal occasions.
Read more – http://www.christiantoday.com/article/lichfield.cathedral.celebrates.queens.diamond.jubilee/29355.htm
Guernsey parish church funding report could be blocked
BBC News – Debate on the future funding of Guernsey’s parish churches may be blocked as it could raise “significant constitutional issues”.A report recommending the ownership of eight of the island’s rectories move from the church to parishes is due to go to the States this week.If the legislation changes were agreed they would have to be approved by the Queen, who is also the head of the Church of England.
Read more – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-17113336