Olympic bell ringers; Disability action; Reaction to church wind farms; “Is the C of E homophobic?
London 2012: Derby Cathedral to sound bells for Team GB golds
Derby Cathedral’s bells are to be rung for an hour on each day Team GB wins a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.
A group of bell ringers from across Derbyshire have arranged to congregate at 20:00 BST every time British competitors have struck gold.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-18835520
Paralympic Games challenge churches on disability action
Ekklesia – Churches in Britain are organising celebrations and activities in the run-up to the London Paralympic Games, which take place after the Olympics, but critics are also wondering whether churches will be inspired to improve their own facilities for the disabled – writes Jo Siedlecka.
The Paralympics — sports competitions for athletes with a range of disabilities — will take place from 29 August to 9 September 2012, two weeks following the Olympics.
“There is a sharp contrast between the facilities provided for this… event and those available in most churches… We are told that there between 10 and 18 per cent of people are disabled – but we don”t see that number in our congregations,” said Tim Wood, CEO of Through the Roof, an ecumenical charity which campaigns for the inclusion of disabled people in faith communities.
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16835
An ill wind blows over Church of England’s windfarm proposals
Telegraph – As the Church of England considers planting yet more lucrative wind turbines on its land, parishioners are banding together to halt the eco-bishops
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/9397843/An-ill-wind-blows-over-Church-of-Englands-windfarm-proposals.html
Is the Church of England homophobic?
Pink News – The Church of England (CoE) is the established church in England, which leads to a focus on the organisation as one of the religious leaders within the nation. It is more than this, for some, who have a range of views of the CoE. Some, see the CoE as “a vibrant community”, “a group of individuals who encourage each other and seek to support their communities”, “a focus for worship” etc. Others outside the CoE regard it as irrelevant, dogmatic and lacking perspective on today’s issues.
The CoE state part of their purpose is to be “A Christian Presence in Every Community”. If the CoE are to succeed in reaching every community, they need to engage with the LGBT community the communities which have LGBT people within them.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/07/13/comment-is-the-church-of-england-homophobic/