Global and local focus as Just Festival launches in Edinburgh
The Just Festival has launched its ambitious 2013 programme in Edinburgh, with a challenge to build bridges and break down barriers between communities, globally and locally. The festival, in August this year, will feature some 129 events in 450 performances across 28 venues, and will attract tens of thousands of visitors and participants. It is reckoned to be the largest inter-cultural event of its kind in Britain, with backing from civic, religious, secular, educational and charitable partners. It is supported and sponsored by the Scottish Government, St John's Church Edinburgh, the European Parliament, the University of Edinburgh, the Scottish Episcopal Church, Edinburgh City Centre Churches Together, Edinburgh Inter Faith Association, and the beliefs and values think-tank Ekklesia. 'We're not saying peacemaking is an easy process. Indeed, many of our events this year are about facing the reality of violence. But to make peace, it is important to know where you are starting," explained Just Festival director Katherine Newbigging.
Pray: for all those working hard to prepare this important event. (Heb.12.14)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18564
Church of England faces fresh clash with ministers over welfare reform
The Church of England is facing a fresh clash with the Coalition over welfare reform after publishing a new report accusing ministers of acting as if they were deliberately trying to “destabilise” society. In a highly critical analysis of the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith’s overhaul of the benefits system, the established Church questions the “moral” case for such reforms in a time of austerity. The poor and vulnerable, it claims, are bearing a “disproportionate share of the burden” from recession yet being “squeezed” ever tighter by the Government - while the rich are allowed to escape “largely unscathed”. The comments come in a policy paper prepared for members of the Church’s General Synod which meets in York in two weeks time, where welfare will be one of the main items on the agenda alongside the Church’s difficulties over women bishops.
Pray: for a better understanding of the needs of the genuinely vulnerable and for appropriate measures put in place to support them. (Pr.30:8)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10136435/Church-of-England-faces-fresh-clash-with-ministers-over-welfare-reform.html
Post Trumpet Call update
In Birmingham last weekend In Birmingham last weekend1100 intercessors prayed for the British Isles in the midst of brokenness. There were awesome moments as different groups gathered at the Cross during the day, under 30s, people from nations outside the UK and those praying for the return of prodigals. Within hours of that heart cry the following message was sent to the World Prayer Centre from a church leader in East Sussex. ‘Well, we had 7 prodigals this morning - 3 said ‘I'm coming home’ - and 11 fatherless teens off the estate turned up out of the blue - never been in church before. Just happened to be the Father’s Day special and probably 90% were from awful home situations. God moved in very deep ways! Such mind blowing stuff happening and electric atmosphere! Let us thank God together and let us continue to press in to Him as we boldly go out to proclaim His goodness to a broken and hurting world. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness!' To continue to pray into Trumpet Call’s 30 day prayer vigil click on the link below
Praise: and give thanks to God for answered prayer, and a clear prophetic message to the church to stand up and proclaim Biblical truths as He leads us to build and to plant. (Jer.1:10)
Post Trumpet Call update
In Birmingham last weekend In Birmingham last weekend1100 intercessors prayed for the British Isles in the midst of brokenness. There were awesome moments as different groups gathered at the Cross during the day, under 30s, people from nations outside the UK and those praying for the return of prodigals. Within hours of that heart cry the following message was sent to the World Prayer Centre from a church leader in East Sussex. ‘Well, we had 7 prodigals this morning - 3 said ‘I'm coming home’ - and 11 fatherless teens off the estate turned up out of the blue - never been in church before. Just happened to be the Father’s Day special and probably 90% were from awful home situations. God moved in very deep ways! Such mind blowing stuff happening and electric atmosphere! Let us thank God together and let us continue to press in to Him as we boldly go out to proclaim His goodness to a broken and hurting world. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness!' To continue to pray into Trumpet Call’s 30 day prayer vigil click on the link below
Praise: and give thanks to God for answered prayer, and a clear prophetic message to the church to stand up and proclaim Biblical truths as He leads us to build and to plant. (Jer.1:10)
