Church of England clergy asked to cut costs as recession takes toll
Clergy in the Church of England are being asked to cut their cloth to suit the economic times and to prepare for mergers and staff cuts that could drastically reduce pastoral care and worship. A report on finances has found that a quarter of all 44 dioceses are running deficits and plundering reserves to pay stipends and pensions. A similar proportion has liquid reserves to last them one month or less. High staffing levels of clegy and laity are highlighted. The Church of England spends £1 billion a year in salaries and pensions for clergy as well as the upkeep of its buildings, an amount roughly matched by donations from parishes. But rising pension costs mean that every year churchgoers are asked to increase donations. The report, commissioned to help churches to improve ‘efficiency and effectiveness’, suggests that finances are so finely balanced in some areas that parishoners will have to dig even deeper or face cuts in provision.
Pray: for savings to be made that do not jeopardise the core work of the church. (Ho.14:9
More: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7123460.ece
Methodists seek to boost influence of young members
A website for young people run by young people has been launched by the Methodist Children and Youth Team. Generous is a safe online space designed to enable young people to discuss and act upon decisions made at Youth Assembly – an interactive body designed to maximise the impact of young people’s influence on the Methodist Church in Britain. Young people can sign up to the site and pledge their commitment to different goals, such as confronting racist behaviour or challenging Churches on the opportunities available to them. The website offers young people the opportunity to work together on maximising the impact they can have on the wider Church. Every young person who signs up and joins the
debate becomes an activist and voice for social change. Pete Brady, Methodist Youth President, said Generous was a great way for young people to keep in touch with others they met at Youth Assembly.
Pray: for this initiative and others that reach out to our young people. (2Ti.2:22)
Stage set for key July debates to enable women to be bishops
The Church of England has today published the 142-page report of the Revision Committee that has been considering in detail the draft legislation to enable women to become bishops in the Church of England. Also published is an amended version of the draft, eleven clause Measure and associated draft Amending Canon. The Committee has met on 16 occasions over the past 12 months and considered 114 submissions from members of the General Synod and a further 183 submissions from others. As indicated to the General Synod in February 2010 (scroll to p6), the draft legislation continues to provide special arrangements for those with conscientious difficulties by way of delegation from the diocesan bishop under a statutory Code of Practice. The earliest that the legislation could achieve final approval in Synod (when two-thirds majorities in each of the Houses of Bishops, Clergy and Laity will be required) is 2012, following which parliamentary approval and the Royal Assent would be needed. 2014 remains the earliest realistic date when the first women might be consecrated as bishops. Pray: for wisdom and guidance to the Synod as these controversial matters are discussed. (Pr.8:33) More: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr4210.html
Mums angry at plan to show sex education video to primary kids
Angry mums have blasted a primary school’s plan to show pupils an explicit sex education video, and warned that it could cause children to experiment sexually. The video, a Channel 4 production called Living and Growing, shows a naked cartoon couple chasing each other around a bed and then having sex, while a voice-over gives a detailed description of the action. Cliff Lane Primary School was planning to show the video to seven-year-old pupils, but outraged mums were left horrified after they saw the graphic DVD during a consultation. Emma O’Brien, whose seven-year-old son attends the school, said: ‘There are some body parts kids don’t need to know yet. They shouldn’t be taught that.’ Bryony Surtees, the acting head teacher, responded to the objections, saying: ‘We wanted to be open and honest about this sensitive issue as we are mindful that some parents have very strong views on this matter’.
Pray: that the schools authorities would respond to the parents' objections. (Ps.34:17)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/mums-anger-at-plan-to-show-sex-ed-video-to-primary-kids/
