News
Christmas 2017 - #GodWithUs
Bible Society launches Christmas film for children
Prime Minister backs Church of England drive to eradicate modern slavery
Church of England reaches more than a million on social media every month
A Christmas gift with a difference!
Rohingya Refugee Crisis Appeal
Nine out of ten say that mission is for all
The Bible for dyslexics
British want cathedrals and churches protected for future generations, new poll reveals
Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic (HBT) bullying tackled in new guidance for Church schools
Cut stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals to £2, Bishop urges Government
Research finds religion plays a key role in limiting sexual and gender-based violence
Countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian
Malaria on rise in Burundi – World Vision asks for more support in fighting it
Great news for Street Children
Intense rains cause famine in remote Papuan villages
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Christmas 2017 - #GodWithUs
‘The constant refrain of Christmas, in carols and readings, is that God is with us. In whatever situation you find yourself this Christmas, God is with you – you need only turn to Him and ask to know His presence.’ So says the Archbishop of Canterbury, in introducing this year’s Christmas campaign by the Church of England. There is lots to enjoy throughout December, as this year’s campaign has three key elements:
Firstly, there are three videos that tell the story of the joy of going to your local church at Christmas, which are being released throughout December on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
There is also help in finding a church near you, where you can find a Christmas service or event taking place in one of the 16,500 Church of England churches. Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/notes/church-of-england/the-new-a-church-near-you/10155179290523143/
Finally, you can enjoy Your Christmas Journey, a series of short reflections throughout December and into early January 2018, introduced by Archbishop Justin Welby. The reflections have been written by people who are new to faith and to help us all grow in our love of God. You can receive the messages as texts, emails, on social media and also in a booklet (Church House Publishing). The booklets would be ideal for Christians to give to those attending Advent and Christmas services. So, as December begins, why not sign up and get your friends and family to join the Your Christmas Journey reflections, by texting GodWithUs to 88802.
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Bible Society launches Christmas film for children
Here is a treat - The Greatest Journey, a lively Christmas film that tells the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Bethlehem – perfect for children aged three and upwards.
Bible Society explains: ‘We're sure it'll be enjoyed by the whole family. So sit back, relax – and watch out for that sheep poo...’
The film is available to download for use in churches, schools and wherever else you'd like to screen it. Download the film at: www.biblesociety.org.uk/get-involved/christmas/the-greatest-journey
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Prime Minister backs Church of England drive to eradicate modern slavery
The Prime Minister and the Archbishop of Canterbury have given their backing to the recent launch of a project aimed at mobilising the Church of England’s 12,000 parishes in the battle to eradicate modern slavery.
Theresa May welcomed the Clewer Initiative, a three-year programme to help the Church of England’s 42 dioceses work to support victims of modern slavery and identify the signs of exploitation in their local communities.
Mrs May said: “Modern slavery is a barbaric crime which destroys the lives of some of the most vulnerable in our society. I value the work that the Clewer Initiative will be doing. In particular, I welcome the focus on engaging with local communities to help them to spot the signs of modem slavery. We need to shine a light on this hidden crime and to encourage more victims to come forward so that we can provide them with the support they need.
‘The Government cannot tackle this problem alone, and this is why the efforts of organisations and groups such as the Clewer Initiative are so important.”
Work is already under way in dioceses, with training sessions on how to provide support and identify victims of labour exploitation in areas from the construction and property sector to hand car washes in British cities and shipping.
In a video message, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, encouraged churches to act as ‘eyes and ears’ in local communities to identify victims. ‘Jesus came saying that He proclaimed freedom for captives. Those who purposefully constrain, confine and traffick and enslave people will face the judgement of God for their terrible sins.’
Kevin Hyland, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, said: ‘Faith groups have influence, insight and rare avenues into the community; they are therefore a powerful tool in the fight against modern slavery.’
The Bishop of Derby, Dr Alastair Redfern, who chairs the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner's Advisory Panel, said: ‘Modern slavery is present in nearly every community in England and will continue to flourish if we remain indifferent to it.
‘Churches can act as ‘eyes and ears’ in our communities to help identify victims. Our work in the Clewer Initiative will build on the passion of churches to be with people, to contribute to more effective structures, and to go the extra mile for the sake of those who are suffering.’
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Church of England reaches more than a million on social media every month
More than a million people are being reached every month with the Christian message on social media, a year after the Church of England adopted a new digital approach, new figures show.
Videos, podcasts, blogs and images including prayers are reaching an online audience of 1.2 million a month through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, according to the statistics from the Church of England digital project.
During Christmas 2016, 1.5 million were reached through the Church’s award-winning #JoyToTheWorld campaign featuring short films. A further 2.5 million were reached during Lent, the season before Easter, through the #LiveLent 2017 project.
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Meanwhile, new statistics show that average Sunday attendance over October 2016 at Church of England services stood at 780,000 people, a lower figure than in 2015, in line with a long-term trend.
The ‘worshipping community’ of the Church of England, a measure of the number of people who come to church once a month or more, stood at 1.1 million, of whom 20% were under 18 years old.
On average, 930,000 people (86% adults, 14% children under 16) attended church services each week in October 2016. (This figure includes mid-week services). A further 180,000 children and adults attended services for schools in churches each week, a rise of 6.2% on last year.
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Christmas attendance – on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - rose by 1.4% in 2016 to 2.6 million. During Advent, the season before Christmas, 2.5 million people attended special services for the congregation and local community, and 2.8 million people attended special services for civic organisations and schools.
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There were 120,000 baptisms and services of thanksgiving for the gift of a child, 45,000 marriages and services of prayer and dedication after civil marriage and 139,000 Church of England-led funerals.
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A one-off question for 2016 showed the majority of churches are open to visitors outside of service times, with more than 50% of churches reporting being open to visitors five or more days each week.
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The digital campaign has been funded as part of the Church of England’s Renewal and Reform programme intended to help the Church of England become a growing church in all places and for all people.
William Nye, Secretary General to the General Synod, said: “At the heart of the mission of the Church of England is a commitment to proclaiming the gospel afresh in each generation.
“This year’s Statistics for Mission provide a sobering reminder of the long-term challenge we face. This challenge is likely to persist for some years ahead. That is why we have established a programme of Renewal and Reform to transform the Church of England to become a growing church in every region and for every generation.
“The figures on digital impact, which we are also releasing today, show one of the ways in which we are doing that, as the online dimension of people’s lives becomes ever more significant. Our challenge is to join up that growing online Church life to the physical community of Church that forms the body of Christ.”
Mike Eastwood, Director of Renewal and Reform for the Church of England, said: “I am encouraged by the success so far of the digital campaign, part of Renewal and Reform. This project has shown how social media can be used to communicate the Christian faith and life to a huge audience outside our church walls, bringing new hope to the communities we serve.
“The figures for mission confirm the urgency of the challenges we face, especially as we want to become a growing church for all people in all places.”
Adrian Harris, Head of Digital Communications for the Church of England said: “As the digital evangelism statistics show, people across the country are engaging with the Church’s digital and social media platforms to grow in faith and find out more about the Christian faith. In a typical month we have a reach of 1.2 million on social media and 1.5 million on our websites.
“We saw 1.5 million reached by our 2016 #JoyToTheWorld Christmas campaign and 2.5 million with #LiveLent. Over the last 12 months we tripled the number of followers on Facebook and Instagram, which indicates that people want to know more of the love of Jesus Christ.
“The three-year digital and social media transformation project is part of the Church of England’s Renewal and Reform programme, focused on us being a growing Church for all people and for all places.”
Dr Rachel Jordan, the Church of England’s National Mission and Evangelism Adviser, said: “The Church of England has taken seriously the challenge of ageing congregations and is sharpening its focus and work on the opportunities of reaching new generations in different ways - church growth starts young. Our digital presence has been boosted by the work of the Renewal and Reform programme investing in an excellent team communicating effectively with millions through digital campaigns.”
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A Christmas gift with a difference!
How about ‘giving’ a friend/family member a twinned toilet for Christmas?
For £60 you can provide a latrine, clean water and hygiene training to some of the most impoverished people on the planet.
In return, you get a colour photograph of the twinned toilet and its GPS coordinates, to hang in your friend’s own bathroom, with pride. You can choose the twinning country, personalize the certificate, and include a gift message. Just visit: https://www.toilettwinning.org/twin-your-toilet/
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Rohingya Refugee Crisis Appeal
All We Can and the Methodist Church in Britain are calling for support for this urgent appeal for refugees displaced by the recent violence in Myanmar.
Over the past few months, more than half a million people have fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The majority of those fleeing are Rohingya women and children.
All We Can and the Methodist Church in Britain are calling for generous support for this urgent appeal to assist those seeking refuge in Bangladesh. People are in desperate need of water, food, shelter and access to medical care.
Since violence flared up in Myanmar in late August, an estimated 519,000 Rohingya have sought shelter and safety in Bangladesh. Many are currently living in temporary, unsanitary structures constructed out of plastic sheeting and bamboo in informal camps and settlements.
Refugees are arriving in Bangladesh exhausted and traumatized, and camps and local host communities are struggling to respond to the scale of this disaster.
Food insecurity is one of the primary areas of concern, while providing health care, access to safe water and mitigating the threat of disease is critical. Heavy rains in recent days have made an already precarious situation worse for refugees trying to seek shelter in sub-standard housing and makeshift camps. All We Can’s partner is responding to this emergency and is calling for urgent funds to help reach people suffering because of this crisis.
Many bring with them accounts of brutality and report having seen and suffered atrocities that have left them traumatised. Meeting the needs of these refugees who have suffered so much is critical. To donate, visit www.allwecan.org/rohingya
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Nine out of ten say that mission is for all
A survey carried out by Church Mission Society has found that nine out of ten Christians say they believe ‘everyone is called to mission’ and the job of spreading God’s message should not be left to ‘professional’ Christians like vicars and full time Christian workers.
However, the survey also revealed that Christians are being held back from getting involved in mission, by fear [27%] or a lack of training and preparation [17%].
Church Mission Society urges that ‘churches and mission agencies must work together’ to set Christians free from the fear, and equip the 90 per cent of Christians who believe that mission is their calling.’ More details at: churchmissionsociety.org/missionis
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The Bible for dyslexics
The Bible Society has just released St John’s Gospel and Romans in a dyslexia-friendly format. It uses thick cream-coloured paper, clear fonts and wide-spacing, as opposed to the almost transparent paper and dense text found in many Bibles. Would this make a good Christmas present for someone you know? Details at: https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/products/bibles/dyslexiafriendly
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British want cathedrals and churches protected for future generations, new poll reveals
Castles, cathedrals and churches and royal palaces are the historic buildings that the British public think it is most important to protect for future generations. These are the findings of a recent opinion poll, carried out for the National Churches Trust, the UK’s church buildings support charity, by ComRes.
Out of ten key types of historic buildings, British adults are most likely to say that castles should be protected for future generations (34%). This is closely followed by cathedrals and churches (20%) and royal palaces (18%). Other building types and their ranking in the poll included country houses (4%), transport buildings and structures (4%) and government and civic buildings (3%).
Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said: “At the heart of communities in cities, towns and villages, cathedrals and churches are a treasure trove of architecture, history and faith.”
With 42,000 church buildings, the United Kingdom’s religious heritage is a unique part of its national story, with 45% of all England's Grade I listed buildings cathedrals and churches.
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Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic (HBT) bullying tackled in new guidance for Church schools
Recent guidance for the Church of England's 4,700 schools says that it aims to prevent pupils from ‘having their self-worth diminished or their ability to achieve impeded by being bullied because of their perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity.’
The report makes 12 recommendations for schools, including ensuring schools' Christian ethos statements offer ‘an inclusive vision for education’ where ‘every child should be revered and respected as members of a community where all are known and loved by God.’
The report goes on to say that clear anti-bullying policies should include HBT behaviours and language, and that policies on how to report incidences should be accessible, and staff trained on recognising bullying. Curriculum and collective worship should support the vision, with the wider church ensuring that schools are responding well to the guidance.
Commending the report, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: "All bullying, including homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying causes profound damage, leading to higher levels of mental health disorders, self-harm, depression and suicide.
"Central to Christian theology is the truth that every single one of us is made in the image of God. Every one of us is loved unconditionally by God.’
The advice is an update on Valuing All God's Children, guidance published in 2014 which tackled homophobic behaviour. This update covers a wider range of negative behaviours, incorporates the relevant legal and inspection frameworks and reflects the Church's Vision for Education, whose four elements of wisdom, hope, community and dignity form the theological basis of the guidance.
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Cut stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals to £2, Bishop urges Government
The Bishop of St Albans, Dr Alan Smith, has responded to the Government's recent announcement of The Triennial Review of Stakes and Prizes. He said: "The Triennial Review of Stakes and Prizes has proposed a range of possible stakes for fixed-odds betting terminals. While a reduction in stakes is welcome, any stake higher than £2 does not go far enough to address the harm these machines cause to families and communities around the UK.
"In our broader response to the consultation, the Church of England will urge the Government to consider the experiences of those affected most by these machines, and to choose to lower the stake to £2.
"This will bring order to the regulatory scheme and improve our high streets. At present, FOBTs are the only betting machines on the high street which take a stake of more than £2.
"The £100 stake has been a disastrous anomaly. I urge the Government not to replace one harmful anomaly with another at the expense of the poorest and most vulnerable."
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Research finds religion plays a key role in limiting sexual and gender-based violence
Recent research by the aid and development agency, Tearfund, has found that having a faith impacts the likelihood of men carrying out violence, by reducing it.
The charity, which works in more than 50 countries, found that men who are actively engaged in a faith group are more than twice as likely to think violence towards their partner is never justified, compared to those who are not engaged at all. The study was carried out in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where nearly 40 per cent of women have suffered sexual violence from an intimate partner in the past year.
The research was carried out as part of the UK government-funded project called What Works, to prevent violence against women and girls. As part of this project in DRC, Tearfund runs ‘Transforming Masculinities’, a project that works with faith and community leaders to begin reconciliation and change behaviours.
Now Tearfund, with the help of UK Aid Match, has launched a fundraising campaign to help people in Central African Republic. The UK government has pledged to match pound for pound every donation made by the public as part of its Aid Match programme, to help Tearfund transform people's lives in CAR and beyond.
Tearfund aims are to eliminate new cases of sexual violence in 150 communities across 15 countries by the end of 2018. More details at: www.tearfund.org/en/give/ukaidmatch/
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Countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian
If you’ve ever felt that being a Christian in the UK is not easy, spare a prayer for Christians in North Korea, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and Eritrea. These ten countries (in that order) have topped the 2017 Open Doors World Watch List for the ten most difficult places on earth to be a Christian.
In these countries Christians must keep their beliefs hidden, for to be known as a Christian means beatings, imprisonment, discrimination and constant abuse.
At the end of 2017, Open Doors found that, for the fourth year in a row, the level of overall persecution has risen worldwide, with Asia in particular showing a rapid rise. While North Korea is still number one, India went up to a ranking of 15, as Hindu nationalists batter the churches. Elsewhere, Islamic extremism continues to strangle the expression of the Christian faith, fuelling persecution in 14 out of the top 20 countries, and 35 of the top 50. Millions of Christians around the world now live their lives against varying levels of discrimination, discovery, violence and arrest.
Christians living in these countries urgently need the support of their family, the body of Christ, to help them stand firm in their faith. You can help. More details at: www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/25-years-world-watch/
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Malaria on rise in Burundi – World Vision asks for more support in fighting it
More than six million cases of malaria were recorded in Burundi last year, and up to a million more children are at risk of getting the disease right now, World Vision has warned.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 2,800 people died last year as a result of the epidemic. Traditionally, malaria cases spike in December and January.
Frontline health workers in one province are reporting that up to 90 per cent of malaria cases are in children under the age of 18.
World Vision is responding to the malaria epidemic, but needs more assistance. The child-focused humanitarian organisation has so far reached more than 1.1 million people in its malaria response by distributing mosquito nets, spraying homes with long-lasting insecticides, training community health volunteers to identify and treat moderate cases of malaria as well as providing health clinics and hospitals with malaria treatment medication.
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Great news for Street Children
Toybox is a UK charity with a mission to end the injustice of children living and working on the streets. It has been working with the most marginalised children in some of the most dangerous cities in the world since the early 1990s.
Toybox has developed expertise in working to prevent children from taking the decision to move to the streets, to rescue and support them when they already live on the streets and to help them build a new future for themselves, when they decide they are ready to leave the streets, and their dangers, behind.
Now Toybox is to merge with Action for Street Kids, another agency which has been supporting street children all over the world for nearly 17 years. As a spokesman explains,
“We are creating a world-leading humanitarian authority for children living and working on the streets in some of the toughest places in the world. More at: https://toybox.org.uk/about
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Intense rains cause famine in remote Papuan villages
According to the World Food Programme, about 87 million people in Indonesia face food insecurity. This is especially evident in the Indonesian province of Papua, New Guinea, where at present about 29 villages are suffering from a famine, caused by excessive rain and flooding. Bringing food in by road is almost impossible: Papua New Guinea is marked by steep mountains and plunging valleys, and many of the villages don’t even have roads. The few that do exist get clogged by landslides.
No wonder that for some time now, MAF has been flying food and aid into the area affected by famine. There are a number of churches near a place called Bugapa, which is where MAF lands with the supplies. Then the church leaders from these villages send in folks from their church and then they pick up the food and they hike over the mountains. Such a journey can last days. In addition to rice, the MAF pilots also fly in seeds for corn and spinach to replant gardens.
