Prayer for Parents’ Week: “Make a moment”, says Bishop of Oxford; New resource for emergency pastoral essentials; The cathedral as a broad church report; Christianity Uncut refutes ‘untrue’ comments about St Paul’s protest; Don’t ignore Christian voters PM warned; Ten years before church gay weddings – Jeffrey John; “Massive shift from aid to enterprise is welcome” – Lord Carey
Prayer for Parents’ Week: “Make a moment”, says Bishop of Oxford
The Bishop of Oxford the Rt Revd John Pritchard has written a prayer*(see below) for Parents’ Week encouraging parents to slow down and take more time with children in their care.
The theme of the week which begins next Monday (Oct 22) is ‘Make a Moment’ and in a new CofE podcast Bishop John, chair of the Church of England’s Board of Education, said:
“I love the idea of making a moment to spend time with our children. These moments are precious and so quickly gone. I’ll always regret not taking more moments to enjoy looking at life through my children’s eyes. Parents have the most wonderful and awesome responsibility, and their utter devotion needs to be celebrated. At the same time ‘make a moment’ reminds all of us all, as we get older, more serious and less spontaneous, that children will be our teachers if we let them – they’ll teach us how to play, to laugh and be a child again.”
The week is being run by the Family and Parenting Institute, and along with the Church of England is supported by politicians including the Prime Minister and a range of charities and other Christian organisations.
Michael Connellan of the Family and Parenting Institute said: “Parents’ Week 2012 is a special opportunity to celebrate all that hard work that parents do – and to highlight the importance of parents finding time to bond one-to-one with a child. We are delighted to have the Church of England’s support.”
Mary Hawes the Church of England’s national Going for Growth (children and youth) adviser said: “This is a great opportunity for churches to think about how they can be part of helping parents and children create special moments together.”
* Gracious God
thank you for the privilege and pleasure of children,
Thank you for what they represent for both the present and the future
and what they give us as they explore life and make their discoveries.
Help us to slow down, to pause and make a moment,
Help us to share their world and enjoy their wonder.
Help us to walk at their speed, and find that it’s your speed,
And so lead us together into life and joy,
in the company of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord
Amen
New resource for emergency pastoral essentials
Church House Publishing has put together a new easy-reference volume for clergy dealing with emergency situations.
Clergy perform thousands of emergency pastoral services in the community every year.
They are often called upon to say prayers for the sick and dying, perform emergency baptisms, and give Holy Communion at home or in hospital.
The varied nature of their duties has prompted Church House Publishing to compile the essentials in a portable format.
The volume is discreet and ideally sized for carrying in a pocket, bag or car glove compartment.
The Bishop of Wakefield and chair of the Liturgical Commission, the Rt Rev Stephen Platten, said at the launch: “Caring for the sick and people in times of crisis stands at the heart of Christian ministry.
“This companion will be an essential resource when a priest is offering pastoral care.”
Common Worship: A Pastoral Ministry Companion is available from www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2398032 at the special price of £16.00 until 31st October.
Alternatively it is also available as a Kindle eBook from www.amazon.co.uk/Common-Worship-Pastoral-Companion-ebook/dp/B009NF75JM/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header
The cathedral as a broad church
The Guardian – The role of cathedrals and their use is highlighted in recently published research.
Nearly half of people in the project’s national research element, conducted by ComRes, agreed that “cathedrals reach out to the general public, not just those who are part of the Church of England” (as against 12% who disagreed). More than half (53%) …
More at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2012/oct/15/cathedral-broad-church?newsfeed=true
Christianity Uncut refutes ‘untrue’ comments about St Paul’s protest
A network of Christians who co-organised an act of witness at St Paul’s Cathedral in London (14 October 2012) have expressed their dismay with what they describe as a misleading statement from the cathedral authorities, along with untrue accusations made on the internet and in parts of the media.
The Cathedral’s Dean expressed disappointment that Christianity Uncut had not engaged “constructively” rather than protesting.
However, members of Christianity Uncut point out that they had actively sought a constructive meeting with the cathedral’s clergy in March 2012. This was after they had been dragged by police from cathedral steps as they prayed during the eviction of the Occupy camp. The cathedral authorities refused to meet with them.
There were also suggestions that those involved had “stormed” into the cathedral, that they had interrupted a wreath-laying and that they had stopped people praying.
These claims are all contradicted by the evidence. Christianity Uncut co-organised yesterday’s actions with Occupy London, on what they describe as “a nonviolent and dignified act of witness”.
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17175
Don’t ignore Christian voters PM warned
Christian Today – The head of Britain’s largest Christian broadcaster has warned the Government that it would be ill-advised to ignore the rights of Christians.
Peter Kerridge, chief executive of Premier Christian Radio, has written to the Prime Minister reminding him that the number of regular church attenders across Britain outnumbers the combined membership of the three main political parties by nearly 10 to one.
“Politicians would do well to heed the views of Christians who are, quite clearly, more faithful to their beliefs than the dwindling numbers of party members,” said Mr Kerridge in his letter.
He said the attendance at the three main party conferences had been “embarrassingly low” this season and that the “deserted conference halls” were an accurate reflection of the declining membership of the three main parties from a total of around 1.4 million in 1991 to less than half a million in 2012.
“Perhaps politicians of all parties should reflect on these depressing figures when they consider their positions on the rights of Christians in the UK,” Mr Kerridge continued.
“Some 3.8 million Christians attend church on a regular basis – that’s nearly ten times the number of card carrying party members.
More at:
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/3/dont.ignore.christian.voters.pm.warned/30823.htm
Ten years before church gay weddings – Jeffrey John
BBC – A prominent Welsh gay cleric says it could take 10 years for same-sex marriages to be held in church.
But the Dean of St Albans, the Very Reverend Jeffrey John says he is confident the church will eventually welcome gay couples at the altar.
His prediction comes as the UK government prepares to respond to a consultation on the legalisation of same-sex marriages.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19954180
“Massive shift from aid to enterprise is welcome” – Lord Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury
Five Talents aims to fight poverty in the developing world by creating jobs. This is achieved by providing business training, small loans and savings programmes.
The loans start at £26 and average just £56. Loan repayment rates are over 93%.
Microfinance develops local economies and encourages independence rather than dependency on grants. Typical businesses supported include farming, dressmaking, retailing, hair-dressing and brick-making. Each loan positively impacts a number of additional people once family members and employees are taken into account.
The Charity’s name is taken from the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) in which the “good and faithful servant” takes the Master’s five talents and through effort and initiative gains five more.
Five Talents’ partners provide services to local communities irrespective of religion or tribe, based on need not creed.
A registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1113969) and a 501(c)3 non-profit in the USA.
For more information in the UK please contact:
www.fivetalents.org.uk
Tom Sanderson
UK Director
07914 855 613
tom.sanderson@fivetalents.org.uk