David Cameron’s wellbeing index
The Prime Minister announced that from next April the Government would be measuring how much the lives of British people are improving ‘not just by our standard of living, but by our quality of life’. His plan for a wellbeing index has come under fire from critics who have already written it off as ‘airy fairy and impractical’. However, the cynicism is not shared by everyone. Emrys Jones, of Care for the Family, said the index could give a clear indication of what matters most to people and enable the Government to prioritise areas that impact most strongly on people’s happiness levels. ‘Economic growth is vital, as without jobs people can struggle to take care of their families, but it’s also important to consider our wellbeing as a nation and identify what makes us truly happy, such as investing more quality time in our families,’ he said.
Pray: that the nation’s quality of life improves despite our economic hardships.(Is.32:18)
GAFCON Primates’ boycott meeting in Dublin
At least ten Primates from the Global South are now expected to boycott the Primates’ Meeting in Dublin in January. Five African Primates, members of the GAFCON Primates’ Council (See http://www.gafcon.org/ ) confirmed that they would not attend the two-yearly meeting. In addition, it is understood that the Primate of South-East Asia, the Primate in Jerusalem & the Middle East, and the Primate of the Indian Ocean, will not go to Dublin. Furthermore it is expected that two new Primates, Primate of the Southern Cone, and the Primate of Rwanda, will also boycott the meeting. Five further Primates, from West Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya — say they ‘join with other Primates from the Global South in declaring that we will not be present’. They acknowledge the Anglican Covenant is ‘well-intentioned’ but say they ‘have come to the conclusion the current text is fatally flawed’. In response, Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, said: ‘The decision whether to come remains a matter for the Primates’.
Pray: for the Anglican Covenant to succeed in representing the broadest sense of Anglicanism. (1Co.13:1)
Roma unwelcome throughout Europe
Unwanted and marginalized, the Roma people have become the target of governments across Europe. In 2010, France launched a campaign against them, expelling 13,000 - many of them landing in Romania. (See Prayer Alert 4010, 3810 & 3510) The problem is that life is worse in Romania and other eastern countries where Roma tend to concentrate. Unemployment in Roma towns has soared. Opportunities are so scarce that a once-itinerant people are on the move, suspicion following them wherever they go. Southern Baptist International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries have started two significant ministries with the Roma: ‘From Everywhere To Everywhere’ trains Roma believers to go across Europe and share the Gospel with other Roma. ‘Far Away Romany Missions’ is a summer programme dedicated to providing biblical and evangelism training to the Roma. ‘Burning Bush’ is a rapidly growing Roma church with 3,000 members - located in a Romanian town with a population of 7,000.
Pray: for the work of IMB missionaries and for the openness of the Roma people to the Gospel. (Is.52:7)
Roma unwelcome throughout Europe
Unwanted and marginalized, the Roma people have become the target of governments across Europe. In 2010, France launched a campaign against them, expelling 13,000 - many of them landing in Romania. (See Prayer Alert 4010, 3810 & 3510) The problem is that life is worse in Romania and other eastern countries where Roma tend to concentrate. Unemployment in Roma towns has soared. Opportunities are so scarce that a once-itinerant people are on the move, suspicion following them wherever they go. Southern Baptist International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries have started two significant ministries with the Roma: ‘From Everywhere To Everywhere’ trains Roma believers to go across Europe and share the Gospel with other Roma. ‘Far Away Romany Missions’ is a summer programme dedicated to providing biblical and evangelism training to the Roma. ‘Burning Bush’ is a rapidly growing Roma church with 3,000 members - located in a Romanian town with a population of 7,000.
Pray: for the work of IMB missionaries and for the openness of the Roma people to the Gospel. (Is.52:7)
