Sudan: Police raid, corruption and Day of Prayer
The Sudan Council of Churches is scrutinising out-of-country referendum registration processes in Kenya, Uganda and Egypt, while also reporting that on Sunday the police stormed their offices. Seven vans with 200 police broke down doors and searched the building for ‘suspected hidden weapons.’ These events happen as Africa's biggest country is preparing to vote in a referendum to determine if the Muslim North and Christian South should separate. See: Because of fears that the referendum results could send Sudan back into another civil war; a global Day of Prayer for Sudan on December 5th has been called by The World Evangelical Alliance. It is believed that a) the South is not prepared to receive the anticipated influx of refugees from the North. b) the government in the North cannot guarantee Christians safe passage South. WEA’s prayer requests are for a peaceful and fair referendum with the outcome accepted by all involved. Pray: for God’s grace to be so poured out in Sudan that the referendum would be a beacon to the world of what God can do. (Is.59:1)
Queen gives warning to C of E Synod
The Queen has spoken of the ‘difficult’ and ‘painful’ choices facing the Church of England as she formally opened the Church's General Synod. She spoke of the ‘need to communicate the Gospel with joy and conviction in our society’. The Queen addressed the 476 members of the Church's governing body as they marked the start of a five-year term. The Synod will debate measures to keep the Church together over issues such as same-sex blessings. Its members are preparing to discuss Prime Minister David Cameron's ‘big society’ idea. Before her address, the Queen, who is Supreme Governor of the Church of England, attended a service of Holy Communion at Westminster Abbey, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. Speaking at the Synod meeting, she said: ‘The new Synod will have many issues to resolve to ensure that the Church of England remains equipped for the effective pursuit of its mission and ministry'. Pray: for the General Synod that all members will be open to God’s guidance in their forthcoming deliberations. (2Tim.1:14)
Irish flee 'Celtic Tiger' for a better life
Young Irish, in particular, hope that emigration isn't their only option, but amid news of the Ireland bailout, some aren't waiting around. Many of them are expressing deep concerns about their futures. Andrew Murphy, a recent university graduate, has taken an internship at the European Commission in Brussels and doubts he will find permanent work at home. Ruth McNally, another recent graduate, is living on unemployment benefits. ‘Two of my friends are going to teach English in Korea.’ There is a sense of despair that has taken hold and a feeling of humiliation among many as Ireland seeks help from the rest of Europe. During good times, Ireland, for the first time in its history, was a destination for migrants seeking to make their fortune. Now, Ireland is again supplying labour to the rest of the world. Pray: that the economic pressures on Ireland will not depress the country’s joyful attitude to life. (1Pe.5:10)
Christmas bonuses 'discriminate'
Guinness Care and Support is refusing to pay its staff overtime for working at Christmas because it claims the move would discriminate against other religions. A staff member said: ‘We have learnt that senior head office management have decided that all staff who work on Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be paid standard flat rate wages with no bonuses whatsoever.The management themselves are on two weeks' annual leave. It has come as a shock and left us all stunned.' Ben Bradshaw, Labour MP for Exeter, said: ‘We are still an overwhelmingly Christian society and Christmas is a religious festival and a public holiday. Other religious festivals are not public holidays and I do not think Guinness is comparing like with like. Christmas Day is the one day that people want to be with their loved ones and if they have to work on that day they should be paid accordingly.’ Pray: that the management will be brought to reconsider the niggardliness of their new policy. (Job.5:16)
