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hotline 55 CHURCH AND SOCIETY NETWORK HOTLINE 55 22 September 2006
JOINT PUBLIC ISSUES TEAM Church and Society is now part of a Joint Public Issues Team, also involving the Methodist Church and the Baptist Union. A one-year pilot will help the three Churches decide whether this is an effective way of working, which they want to formalise. Staff from the three churches will pool expertise on issues of shared concern, reducing duplication and allowing more specialisation across the wide range of issues currently embraced by Church and Society.
The Joint Public Issues team advances co-operation that already exists in many areas. The report Peacemaking: A Christian Vocation that went to General Assembly this year, was produced by a joint URC/Methodist working group; the URC and the Methodist Church have jointly launched an environmental network, which is now called Creation Challenge; and the Radar group enables Churches - including the Church of England and the Catholic Church - to share up-to-date information on political and parliamentary affairs.
Staff of the Joint Public Issues Team continue to work from denominational bases but meet together weekly. The Convenor of the Church and Society committee represents the URC on a management group. The work of the team will help inform policymaking but, for the URC, policy remains in the hands of the Church and Society Committee and General Assembly.
SET ALL FREE - ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE ACT BICENTENARY 2007 Plans to commemorate the bicentenary are gathering pace as 2007 approaches. See www.setallfree.net for extensive background material, to sign up for the e-bulletin, to view and add to the ‘What’s On’ events diary, and to order resources - or contact Set all free, Churches Together in England, 27 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HH (020 7529 8141; email: kate.yates@setallfree.net). Resources include a church pack for use during Lent or at other times during the year, containing leader’s guide and 10 booklets for a five week Bible study, poster, prayer cards, suggested order of service for 25 March (day the Act was passed), and ideas for worship through the year. Additional worship material for 25 March will be available to download in October. We will be distributing Set all free’s new general leaflet in the mailing to all churches later in the autumn.
The Bible Society is focusing on issues of slavery with ‘Chain Reaction - The Unchaining Word’ as the theme for Bible Sunday this year (29 October or any other day as appropriate). Go to www.biblesunday.org and complete the on-line registration to access a range of excellent materials including a substantial discussion resource, sermon outline and activities, sketches, youth meditation, music, prayers and a new hymn by Timothy Dudley-Smith. These resources are also available as a printed pack with CDRom. Bible Society, Stonehill Green, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7DG (01793 418100).
CHURCH ACTION ON POVERTY CALLS ON CHURCHES TO PAY LIVING WAGE CAP is calling upon Churches to pay their employees, lay or ordained, a Living Wage of at least £7.25 an hour in London and £6.80 an hour elsewhere in the UK from 1 October 2006. CAP says, “Churches and other employers have a duty to pay their employees a living wage, at a level that enables workers to enjoy life in all its fullness. We call on all churches, charities and other major employers to raise the pay level of their lowest paid staff. We are sending out a clear message that the Church should not tolerate low pay and poverty. In paying our employees a living wage, we are making a clear stand against poverty”. For further details see www.church-poverty.org.uk > campaigns.
DATES:
ONE WORLD WEEK - 22-29 OCTOBER - ‘MIND THE GAP’ This year’s theme sets a challenge to ‘change minds - shrink gaps’, the gaps between winners and losers, words and actions, friends and enemies. Resources include: Mind the Gap Action Kit, with information, stories, poster, picture pack, games and activities for all age groups (£8.50 [£10 with CD], 3 packs for £22 [£25 with CD]); Ecumenical Worship Anthology, £1.50 each, 4 for £5, 20 for £23; stickers, balloons, pens. For further information and to order materials, contact One World Week, PO Box 2555, Reading RG1 4XW (0118 939 4933; email: enquiries@oneworldweek.org; www.oneworldweek.org). Order before 30 September to ensure your resources arrive in time!
HIV: LEARNING FROM AFRICA FOR A POSITIVE FUTURE Tuesday 24 October, 6.00 - 9.00 pm at St John’s Church, Waterloo Road, London; with Gideon Byamugisha (Canon of Namirembe Diocese in Uganda and Adviser on HIV/AIDS for World Vision) and Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma (HIV Mainstreaming Coordinator with Christian Aid); discussion, film, and workshops. The evening is organised by representatives of London Ecumenical AIDS Trust, Christian Aid, Christians Aware and St John’s, Waterloo. For further details contact LEAT (020 7793 0338), Steve Penrose (07734 355611; steve@leat.org.uk) or Ellen Davis (020 7633 9819; edavis@stjohnswaterloo.co.uk).
CALLED TO BE PEACEMAKERS - Religious Rights and Wrongs in Contemporary Conflict 27-29 October at the Community for Reconciliation, Barnes Close, near Birmingham; Fellowship of Reconciliation Conference for 18-30 year olds. The event will provide opportunity for reflection, discussions and worship; with expert speakers, in-depth workshops, training and delicious vegetarian food. For further information and a booking form, go to the home page at www.for.org.uk or contact Martha Beale at the FOR office (01865 748796; email: Martha@for.org.uk).
STOP CLIMATE CHAOS Saturday 4 November in central London. If you care, count! Christian Ecology Link and Operation Noah hope to see thousands of Christians on the climate change march and at the rallies in Grosvenor Square (12 noon) and Trafalgar Square (2.00 pm). Gathering point (from 10.00 am) and worship (11.15 am) at Grosvenor Chapel, 24 South Audley Street, London W1K 2PA. Service arranged by Tearfund, 12.30 - 1.15 at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Come and show that Christians care about climate justice, for our children's sake, for the earth's sake, for God's sake! For more information, and a flyer to print and circulate, go to the CEL website www.christian-ecology.org.uk/scc.htm . See also www.stopclimatechaos.org and www.icount.org.uk
Prayer leaflets are available from: The Secretary, Prisons Week, PO Box 2733, Lichfield WS13 6GZ (suggested minimum donation of £1 per 10 leaflets). www.prisonsweek.org
UNITED REFORMED CHURCH PEACE FELLOWSHIP ANNUAL CONFERENCE Saturday 25 November, 11.00 am - 4.00 pm at Carrs Lane Church, Birmingham. Speaker: Revd John Reardon, ‘Can war ever be justified?’. Contact us for further details/to book (020 7916 8632; email: church.society@urc.org.uk).
RESOURCES: COFFEE SHOP FACILITATION DAY Thursday 26 October, 10.45 am - 3.00 pm at Baptist House, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 8RT. Day for those thinking about starting, those wanting to improve and those who are already experienced and can help to inspire others. Open to all denominations, and none. Contact Fiona Pollock 01235 517716 fpollock@baptist.org.uk or Terry Jones 01235 517712 tjones@baptist.org.uk for further details.
NEWS: David Jones, member and Elder at Abington Avenue United Reformed Church, Northampton, has been elected President of the International Federation of Social Workers. Until recently, David was assistant to the National Director for Social Care in the Department of Health and currently works as an Inspector in the Commission for Social Care Inspection.
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