The Lancashire Evening Post has released figures that reveal the striking inequalities facing Preston people

See

 

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/12/471333.html

 

Have a Blessed Christmas

Let earth and heaven combine,
Angels and men agree,
To praise in songs divine
The incarnate Deity,
...Our God contracted to a span,
Incomprehensibly made Man.

He laid His glory by,
He wrapped Him in our clay;
Unmarked by human eye,
The latent Godhead lay;
Infant of days He here became,
And bore the mild Immanuel's Name.

Unsearchable the love
That has the Savior brought;
The grace is far above
Of men or angels' thought:
Suffice for us that God, we know,
Our God, is manifest below.

He deigns in flesh to appear,
Widest extremes to join;
To bring our vileness near,
And make us all divine:
And we the life of God shall know,
For God is manifest below.

and because of the incarnation we are thankful for the Bishop's message

The Bishop of Blackburn has called for "legitimate Christian protests" against government cuts. see...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-12073176

New book.. Voices from the Borderland

 

Voices from the Borderland

Re-imagining Cross-cultural Urban Theology in the Twenty-first Century

Chris Shannahan

Series: Cross Cultural Theologies, edited by Jione Havea, Clive Pearson, both at United Theological College, Australia, and Anthony G. Reddie, Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, Birmingham

 

Subject: Religion; HRCM Christian theology

Readership: undergraduate and postgraduate students and academics

Pub date:  December 2010  216 x 138mm, 324pp, 21 illustrations

ISBN:     PB 978 1 84553 704 3    £16.99          HB 978 1 84553 703 6    £70   

 

 

With incisiveness and clarity, Chris Shannahan probes into the world of urban theology to provide invaluable resources for those of us seeking out ways of connecting the church to community. The result is a sharp critique of previous works and the development of a new model of engagement and dialogue grounded in the radical hybrid popular cultures of urban Britain. Committed to a critical liberation ethic, this is a groundbreaking book that deserves careful attention by professional and lay workers in the struggles for urban renewal, racial justice and poverty eradication.'
Robert Beckford, Visiting Professor, Sociology, Goldsmiths, University of London

 

'Shannahan's patient, systematic, provocative and divisive text will arouse others, but hopefully get even more joining the movement with their own "takes".'
Revd Dr John Vincent, Director Emeritus, Urban Theology Unit, Sheffield

 

Voices from the Borderland aims to bring urban theology into a transformative dialogue with the dynamic translocal urban world of the 21^st century. This book is rooted in the argument that urban theology should be a theology for progressive change and arises out of an intimate engagement with the multicultural and multi-faith British urban experience over a period of twenty years. British urbanism provides a contextual base from which to explore comparable dynamics in an international context in an age of globalisation.

Voices from the Borderland acknowledges the foundational contribution of John Vincent and Kenneth Leech to urban theology but moves beyond their twentieth century analyses into a new globalised century that is characterised by the influence, complexity, diversity and reach of 'Metropolitan' regions/centres. The recent work of figures like Elaine Graham, Anthony Reddie, Robert Beckford, Andrew Davey, Laurie Green, Chris Baker, Gordon Lynch, Ann Morisy and Tim Gorringe who have sought to draw urban theology into a dialogue with the processes of globalisation, post-colonialism, postmodernism and 'post-religious' urban culture is critically explored.

Voices from the Borderland exemplifies the hermeneutical circle rooting theological dialogue in a detailed critical engagement with debates in urban and social theory, cultural studies, postcolonial criticism and diasporan studies about globalisation, translocal urbanism, new forms of marginalisation, identity, difference, belonging and urban multiculturalism. For the first time within urban theology, the central importance of urban pop music as a vehicle for meaning-making is used as an intra-contextual resource for international urban theological reflection. Voices from the Borderland breaks new ground in urban theology by linking together five models of urban theological reflection which have, to date, existed only in self-enclosed 'camps' (Urban Liberation Theology, Urban Black Theology, Reformist Urban Theology, Globalisation Urban Theology and Post-religious Urban Theology). It is argued that a new interdisciplinary and dialogical chapter must be opened in urban theology which moves beyond current models towards a more fluid, inclusive and multipolar metropolitan theology.

 

Chris Shannahan is Research Fellow in Urban Theology at the University of Birmingham. He has been an inner city Methodist Minister for sixteen years and has taught Urban and Practical Theology at the Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, the University of Birmingham and Newman College University in Birmingham.

 

Contents:

Preface

Introduction                                                                         

Chapter One: A New Urban World                                                                                                  

Chapter Two: Looking for Meaning in the Fourth World                                                            

Chapter Three: Interrogating Social Theory                                                                   

Chapter Four: Resistance to the New Urban Elite

Chapter Five: Pop, Politics and Urban Theology                                                                          

Chapter Six: Gospel from the Borderland – Urban Liberation Theology                    

Chapter Seven: Emancipation Still Comin' – Urban Black Theology                         

Chapter Eight: God is Gradual – Reformist Urban Theology                                                       

Chapter Nine: Going Global – Globalisation Urban Theology                                     

Chapter Ten: Faith in a Liquid City – Post-Religious Urban Theology                     

Chapter Eleven: Seeds of a Cross-Cultural Urban Theology of Liberation

Conclusion                           

 

 

big society??

a goldmine - the authentic voice of those who attended a Big Society
conference. Have a look at what the cartoonist Fran made of the event -
right on the button -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkshirehumberforum/sets/72157625423809071/

Schools workers training and sharing morning

From: Richard Hoyle

 

Do you want to link with your local schools?

Training event for people working to develop links between Church and School.

Why make the links?

What to do

Primary and Secondary school sessions

Speaker: Richard Witham,

Scripture Union

Saturday 12th February 2011, 9.15-12.15

Free entry

Book places by 7th February

Fulwood Methodist Church

Coffee and croissants from 9.15am

For more information and

to book a place contact

Richard Hoyle

rdhoyle@btinternet.com

mob. 07503 491805

 

Hello, I am organinsing a training and sharing event in February at Fulwood for schools workers and people who would like to make links between church and school. I would be grateful if you could advertise this among your contacts who may be interested in this sort of work. It is aimed at people who are starting the work or who wish to start and are keen to know how. It is also a sharing morning for those with more experience to pass on good practice and to meet others in the same line of work and share ideas. It would be good if you could come along yourself if this is relevant to you. Peace and blessings for a joyful Christmas, Richard PS Sorry if you have had this more than once! Richard Hoyle, Youth Ministry Co-ordinator (Schools) Lancashire Methodist District and Burnley Circuit Burnley & Pendle Faith Centre,  Burnley Campus, BURNLEY  BB10 1JD 01282 682275 Mob. 07503 491805

Mapping the Locality

I've just discovered a wonderful web site which allows you to look at all sots of maps of our locality> You can look at all the deprivation and crime statistics, planning proposals and all sorts of facilities for your nieghbourhood and lots else

 

http://mario.lancashire.gov.uk/agsmario/default.aspx

 

Supporting victims of crime and anti-social behaviour

 

Preston Community Network's Safer Preston Voluntary and Community Sector Forum  wants to try and find a way to increase the support available to victims of crime and anti-social behaviour.  The forum wants to bring voluntary and community sector groups including churches and other faith groups together to explore the idea'and get the key agencies and people on board.

 

The date for the Forum meeting has been set for Monday 31 January 2011 – 9.30am to 1pm in Room A at the Town Hall

 

If you are interested or have people in your netorks who might want to attend please contact

Nigel Parkinson

Preston Maps Coordinator

Tel 01772-209676

Mob 07950331240

Email nigel.parkinson@lancashire.pnn.police.uk

 

 

Government green paper on commissioning

 

can be dowloaded here

 

http://download.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/green-paper/commissioning-green-paper.pdf

 

These proposals could make a big difference to funding regimes in the future, probabbly meaning that small local church and community groups will find it even less easy to find external funding for their work.

Developing a Network in Leyland: A date for your diary

Over the past few months a group of Christians drawn from a wide range of churches and projects concerned for mission, social action and community development have been meeting together to explore how to strengthen each other's efforts by working in collaboration. The developing network is being supported by Church Urban Fund and Methodist District Action and is being co-ordinated by Greg Smith. Further information can be found on our web site at http://pcanprestonchristianactionnetwork.yolasite.com/

A few people from Leyland (including Andy Prosser and Anne-Marie Dewhurst of Fusion YAC) have been taking an active part in this networking. In our conversations we have concluded that a network at a more local level there could be value in bringing together more interested people from the churches and projects in Leyland and South Ribble.

We would like to invite you to an exploratory network lunch to be held at

St Marys RC Church

(in the Library in the Adminsitrative/Residential block at the side of the church)

Broadfield Drive, Leyland PR25 1PD

On Wednesday 19^th January 2011 from 1pm -3.30pm.

The aim is to get to know each other, to talk about the issues in our work and to begin to think strategically about Christian Social Action in the district. Andy Turner from Church Urban Fund and Greg Smith of Preston Christian Action Network will be joining us and ready to share some ideas and information about the way such networks can become a resource for mission.

There will be a free buffet lunch available.. Please let us know if you intend to be there so we can cater for correct numbers.

Please feel free to pass on this invitation to colleagues and friends, or lay members of your church who are involved in social action ministries and may be interested in in meeting with others.

Homeless In Preston : Drop in and Soup Kitchen Provision over Christmas and the New Year.

The Preston Homeless Forum has produced a poster giving full details of opening times of drop in centres over the fortnight around Christmas. It can be downloaded as a pdf file from www.homelessinpreston.org.uk

The new drop in at Central Methodist Church opens tonight (Monday 13th) from 6pm, and will be open regularly from now on Sunday and Monday evenings.

A reminder also that the winter watch provision offering overnight shelter for anyone who is roofless will continue to be available as long as the cold weather continues. Referrals are made through the Foxton Centre up to 3.30 on weekdays. (tel 01772 555925). Evening or weekend referrals can be processed through the City Council's out of hours number 01772 906916 where you will need to specify the call is about emergency homelessness and refers to the winter watch service.

JOB VACANCY

JOB VACANCY

PRESTON YOUTH FOR CHRIST IS ADVERTISING

FOR A NEW DIRECTOR

TO download the Job Advert  go to

http://pcanprestonchristianactionnetwork.yolasite.com/preston-youth-for-christ-director-needed.php

A NEW RESOURCE FOR CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES CONSIDERING SETTING UP WINTER NIGHT SHELTERS FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE

 

 with practical guidance and information, inspiration and more  Produced by Housing Justice with a grant from Church Urban Fund

See    http://www.fbrn.org.uk/news/housing-justice-launch-new-resource

For details of launch events

Westhill Endowment Possible Funding for Interfaith work

The objectives of the Westhill Endowment are the promotion of education in the manner which reflects the principles of the Christian religion and the tradition of the historic free churches and the promotion of dialogue and educational interchange between the Christian Church and persons of other living faiths. To achieve these objectives Westhill supports community-transforming projects with advice and grants.

 

http://www.westhillendowment.org/

Some Strategic Musings on Youth Ministry from Oxford Diocese

This paper aims to outline the huge gap between our aspirations in terms of young people and faith, and the reality. It aims to lay out a strategic response   Follow this link....

 

http://www.youthblog.org/2010/12/strategic-musings.html

 

New Crossover Volunteering Co-ordinator Phil Moore joins our team

Starting this week Phil Moore will be working as volunteer co-ordinator for the PCAN network.He is employed part time and funded by Methodist District Action but is working in close co-operation with Greg Smith who is working for the Church Urban Fund.

 

Phil's immediate task is to co-ordinate the volunteers who have come forward from the churches to establish additional drop in facilities for homeless and vulnerable people. These sessions will be on Sunday and Monday eveings starting on December 13th at Central Methodist Church Lune Street, with some sessions at St Georges Church nearby.

 

Phil's other main role is to help the network develop a wider brokerage and volunteer management service for Christians who wish to offer their time and energies to the community beyond their own local church. He will be seeking opportunites to meet with various church leaders to talk through their needs for volunteers, and the opportunties for their church members to serve in ways and activivities where their skills and enthusiasms can make the maximum impact for the welfare of the community.

 

Phil can be contacted by email on  philmcarnforth@hotmail.co.uk

Jim Wallis on Youtube

 

Watch, listen, then: a. nod sagely* b. spiritualise it away* c. get out the sackcloth*. Though if you're not a Christian, then you won't necessarily know about revolutionary stuff like Matt 6v24ff. (*delete as appropriate)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGf2AI_Va9o&feature=player_embedded

The English Defence League: New report from Faith Matters

The English Defence League: Challenging Our Country and Our Values of Social Inclusion, Fairness and Equality. Click here to view report.

http://faith-matters.org/resources/publicationsreports/201-the-english-defence-league-challenging-our-country-and-our-values-of-social-inclusion-fairness-and-equality

Revelation and Christian Hope: Political Implications of the Revelation to John

Thought provoking stuff in Tom Wright's lecture on Revelation.. Watch it here

 

http://divinity.duke.edu/news-media/news/2010-10-26-nt-wright-revelation

 

or download the MP3 via Itunes

• Revelation and Christian Hope: Political Implications of the Revelation to John

Wright is one of the world's foremost New Testament scholars. He has written more than 30 books, both at the scholarly level (including Jesus and the Victory of God) and for a popular audience (including Everyone, a series of guides to the New Testament).

Seek the Welfare of the City Conference Report

Just back from London where I attended the Seek the Welfare of the City Conference at Holy Trinity Brompton and St Paul’s Hammersmith.

The outline plan for the conference is at

http://www.htb.org.uk/events/seek-welfare-city-2-day-conference

I guess something over 100 people attended and as they were from a wide range of Christian backgrounds and experiences it was a good opportunity for networking and mutual learning. The majority I think were Anglican.. from both Anglo Catholic, Liberal and Evangelical streams of the church with Pentecostals and Non conformists also present. There was inevitably a bias to London and very few of us from the North.. and it was definitely a conference for leaders, professionals and academics rather than for grass roots working class Christians from council estates.

We had flying visits from the Bishop of London talking about beehives on St Paul’s Cathedral and the metaphor of colony collapse disease (beeg society?), and from Jim Wallis. However the substantial business was done through a series of panels with formal presentations from speakers with a short time for questions and discussions. There was also an irritating exhortation to text or tweet your questions or comments to some point in cyberspace that was linked to the organisers’ computer control centre. Personally I prefer direct heckling, and a more interactive small group style, though I know it’s much harder to document and share with the wider world.

Indeed the plan is to publish all the papers and audio recordings of the talks on the web at http://www.stmellitus.org/seek-welfare-city

The Keynote speaker on Thursday was Bishop Doug Myles with 40 years' experience of growing large churches and organising for justice in inner-city Baltimore.

The session on social enterprise involved a useful sharing of stories and case studies, for example Hope Citadel in Oldham where a partnership with the PCT has led to the development of community based GP practices working alongside the local church.

The first afternoon session on missional / emerging forms of church was stimulating and informative with some good case studies and some critical debates about the relationship between pioneer / incarnational ministries and traditional churches. Jason Clark’s paper on missional church is already at

http://jasonclark.ws/not-another-mapping-and-assessment-of-the-eme

A final session on Thursday covered urban spirituality. While there were some useful insights and analysis I felt it was not really touching base with the down to earth realities of life in deprived areas or working class people… All really felt a bit of upper middle class incomer introverted navel gazing..

The keynote speaker on Friday was Bishop John Inge (author of the award-winning 'A Christian Theology of Place'). This provoked some interesting discussion about the balance between faith and mission centred in a neighbourhood with the notion of journeying or pilgrimage which is maybe more fitting in contemporary “network society”.. and these two themes in scripture.

The morning panel included some really good stuff about ministry in multi-faith areas from people in the CofEs Presence and engagement network.. including case studies and reflections from inner Birmingham and the work of London Citizens in broad based multi-faith community organising.

web site at http://www.presenceandengagement.org.uk/

and the London local network at http://www.londonpen.org/

The final session on Friday afternoon was on political theology… and a response to Luke Bretherton’s recent book. Baroness Maeve Sherlock’s rapid fire contribution brought the enthusiasm of a political operator recently converted to Christ. The other contributions were from academic theologians were insightful if erudite. There are some good models and a developing theology for political involvement in the book.. though it does not cover Christians getting involved in party politics.. or address the reality that most Christians (with the exception of a few issues such as fair trade and world poverty) feel pretty uncomfortable about political talk and involvement..

Suggested Reading List

Luke Bretherton, Christianity & Contemporary Politics: The Conditions and Possibilities of Faithful Witness (Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010)

Jacques Ellul, The Meaning of the City (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 1997).

Mark R. Gornik, To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City (Eerdmans, 2002)

John Inge, A Christian Theology of Place (Ashgate, 2003)

Walter Brueggemann, The Land: Place as Gift, Promise, and Challenge in Biblical Faith (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2002).

Walter Brueggemann, Hopeful Imagination (Augsburg, 1986)

Livability training: Supporting volunteers, 1 Feb- Wakefield

 

Manipulation or Motivation?

How to make the most of the time, skills and experience of your volunteers

 

 

With limited budgets and staff, churches and community projects rely heavily on volunteers but… 

Are we really looking after and listening to them?

Do we make the most of their potential?

 

Date:                     Tuesday 1 February 2011

Time:                    9:45am-3:30pm (we start promptly at 10am)

Venue:                   St Catherine's Church Centre, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF1 5HL

Cost:                     £20/person, including lunch, to be booked and paid online

Online booking:      Book and pay online – this is essential since this event will be fully booked

For more info:        Contact Ruth Smith on 0113 350 8070 or rsmith@livability.org.uk 

 

This interactive and fun training day aims to equip those involved in churches and Christian community projects who manage volunteers.  It will be practical and realistic so that you can implement what you learn straightaway.  You will leave equipped and encouraged to make the most of your volunteers.

 

The day will cover…

§         Understanding motivations: why do people volunteer for Christian projects?

§         Why the best projects are full of volunteers

§         Top tips on how to motivate others

§         The art of communication and how to deal with tricky issues

§         Helpful websites and books to continue your learning

 

Comments from people who attended this day:

"I valued it all- great balance of listening, sharing, interaction, rest, fun. Good time spent on each section too"

 

"One of the best training events I have attended"

Our facilitators:

Ruth Smith, David Arscott and Adam Bonner of the Community Mission team at Livability will facilitate the day.  The team has a wide range of professional experience managing volunteers in the public and voluntary sector as well as in churches.  Find out more about the team.

 

Directions to St Catherine's Church Centre, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF1 5HL

There is ample parking at the nearby Wakefield Trinity Rugby Ground and a good bus service from town. Please contact Ruth Smith if you need directions to St Catherine's as she can email a document with comprehensive directions.

 

 

 

Jill Clark

Community Mission Coordinator

 

Check out our new website www.communitymission.org.uk

 

Livability

50 Scrutton Street

London

EC2A 4XQ

 

Tel: 020 7452 2018

Mb: 07747 036 777

 

Livability is the new face of John Grooms and the Shaftesbury Society

 

Livability is a Christian charity that creates opportunities for disabled people and brings life to communities.
Registered Office: 50 Scrutton Street, London EC2A 4XQ. Registered Charity No: 1116530. Registered in England No: 5967087. A company limited by guarantee.

This e-mail is intended only for the addressee. Any views or opinions presented are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Livability.
The e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential or privileged information, and may be subject to copyright or other intellectual property rights. If you are not the named addressee or the person responsible for delivering the message to the named addressee, please destroy the e-mail and any attachments received and contact the sender via e-mail return.

Livability routinely scans outgoing e-mails for software viruses. We cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage you suffer as a result of software viruses.

Mothers Union Bye Buy Childhood

Mothers Union report into the commercialization of childhood and bye buy childhood campaign

http://muenterprises.org/byebuychildhoodmu/

 

Mothers' Union believes children should be valued as children, not consumers. Yet marketers target children's natural inexperience in order to reach the household purse.

 

Giving children the message that they are what they own, rather than being valued for who they are, can negatively affect their wellbeing. Nearly three-fifths of parents believe that advertising seen by children can be harmful to them. Using sex to sell to children is particularly objectionable and 80% of parents are concerned about the impact of sexualised content in television, films, magazines and the internet on their children.

Our Bye Buy Childhood campaign aims to empower families to challenge the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood through positive action.

Winter Watch Update Volunteers needed

FROM Foxton Centre

Dear Colleague

 

I am writing to you because either:

 

·         You have volunteered for Winter Watch in the past, or

·         You may need to know about Winter Watch arrangements in your work, or

·         You may be in contact with people who could volunteer for winter watch this year and can pass on this email to them.

 

If you wish to be taken off this email list please let me know and  I shall remove your details.

 

Winter Watch is the name given to the provision of emergency accommodation at times of severe weather for people sleeping rough.

Winter Watch is currently in operation.

The number of sleeping spaces available is currently meeting the need.

However, in case take up exceeds supply there is an overspill option for which we need two volunteers per night.

Volunteers need to be available between 7.45pm and 8.00a.m. the following day.

Some experience of working with vulnerable adults is necessary in order to volunteer.

I am in the process of working up a rota for use if needed. As much notice as possible will be given but it is likely that people will be asked to staff the overspill facility on the day they will be required as anticipating take up is difficult as numbers fluctuate and circumstances of rough sleepers can change quickly.

If you are available to volunteer this year, please reply to this email saying so and indicating which night of the week you are available.

 

 

For those of you in contact with people sleeping rough:

If you encounter people who say they are sleeping rough, please refer them to the Foxton Centre, entrance in Berry Street, Avenham, Tel 01772 555925. They need to attend before 3.30pm Monday to Thursday and before 2.00pm on a Friday for referral.  If you contact people at night time then refer them to the emergency out of hours telephone number, which is 251076. This does not guarantee them a place for the night.

 

Tim Keightley

The Foxton Centre

 

 

fascinating account of Prestons Churches in 1869

 Our Churches and Chapels
Their Parsons, Priests, & Congregations
Being a Critical and Historical Account of Every Place of Worship in Preston

Download the text here

 

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10479

 

A prize for anyone who can guess where this is...or if it is then or now!

 

The locality in which this chapel is placed is

crowded, dark-looking, and pretty ungodly. All kinds of sinister-

looking alleys, narrow yards, dirty courts, and smoky back streets

surround it; much drinking is done in each; and a chorus of noise

from lounging men in their shirt sleeves, draggle-tailed women

without bonnets, and weird little youngsters, given up entirely to

dirt, treacle, and rags, is constantly kept up in them.

 

Maybe we should send the Street Pastors round!

An invitation to the Inspire Network - North West Gathering

This email below is for any adult Christians and is being advertised in your circuit generally. I think what is being offered is one very helpful tool to help us to remain disciples of Jesus whilst we are busy serving the church.

Thanks Alison....

Are you busy serving in God's church? Are you hungry for a deeper walk with God? Do you long to be a more effective witness for God? 

The Inspire Network is all about helping ordinary Christian disciples deepen our love for God, and develop our ability to share God's love with our friends and neighbours. 

At the heart of Inspire Network is participation in a small group group of friends ( a fellowship band) who meet regularly to offer one another mutual support and accountability on our deepening discipleship journey.
The Inspire Network is holding a Regional Gathering in Walkden (north Manchester), on Saturday 29th January 9:30-1pm.

All are welcome, whether you are just interested in finding out more or if you are already involved in the network and would like some training to help you get the best from your fellowship band.

To find out more about Inspire go to their website www.inspire-network.org.uk

To book a place or to find out more details, go to  www.inspire-network.org.uk/bookings or call David Lawrence on 07704 625178. (when you book, the full venue details are available)

There is no charge for attending but an offering will be taken to cover costs


The Inspire Network is an ecumenical movement and this is event is open to all Christians.

The Inspire Network are organising the event, and the Methodist Church Training Officers are advertising it, and supporting the event. We can answer some questions, and might need to redirect you directly to Inspire Network for others - but please do make contact if you have questions.

 maybe you can pass this email on, advertise this in Sunday worship on screens, and copy the information on this email for printed notice sheets.

--
Alison Parker
Regional Training Officer - Lancashire and Bolton & Rochdale Districts
mobile :07817178483
office answer phone : 01524 846509

The Cornerstone, Sulyard St, Lancaster, LA1 1PX
The Methodist Church
Registered charity no. 1132208

     

Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal

 

Making a donation to the Christmas Present Appeal is simple. Members of the public are invited to drop new, unwrapped gifts at their local Salvation Army, Superdrug store or at other drop-off points. A team of volunteers then wrap the gifts and distribute them to referred children and families across the UK through The Salvation Army's own networks, local groups and social services.

 

If you or your church want to help  or if you want to refer someone you know who is in need this Christmas

Please contact

Preston Salvation Army Harrington Street PR1 7BN  tel 01772 555425 

Resource for Christians in Politics

http://www.susa.info/resources/small-group

 

A 90-minute meeting plan suitable for use in cell groups, house groups, or other small group meeting environments. The material explores involvement in politics and public life from a biblical perspective, and encourages participants to consider their own response

Prayers for our city November 2010

A prayer for the city.. source unknown... thanks to Alison Gilchrist...

Come, God of the city, into my city.
Put up a sign - 'God at work.'
Build places of welcome... places to play - riotous sound and colour.
Build homes of celebration with friend and stranger;
Build places of worship - places to pray - spaces to listen and rest in quietness.
Illuminate with Your energy,
add Your wine to my parties,
Your generosity to my economy,
and offer hospitality through my openness
Amen.

Prayers from members of our Preston Network

• For shalom in our city, especially in the context of the planned EDL demo
• Help us to put our faith into action by supporting others to bring justice in Preston and beyond
• for a community space for people in crisis in South Ribble providing out of hours support and links to other agencies
• for unity and confidence around a bold vision to tackle poverty together.. Then passion, particiaption (from pews and congregation) and potency of response.
• bringing awareness of the vulnerable to a wider audience
• to discover how the church should serve the city for Guild 2012 and beyond
• for all those who are homeless to have access to shelter, warmth and food
• to provide through our building facilities for community use and to grow a community of Christian believers

How should churches respond to the Big Society - Rowan Williams

Interesting article at

 

http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2956

resources now available for Poverty & Homelessness Action Week 2011!

 

The theme of Poverty & Homelessness Action Week in 2011 is the national census – we all count in God's eyes, but we know there are many who are pushed to the edge and forgotten because of poverty and homelessness.  In the countdown to Poverty & Homelessness Action Week 2011, we'll be sending out a series of e-newsletters with updates and reports about these issues.

New resources now available for Poverty & Homelessness Action Week
All resources for Homelessness Sunday, Poverty Action Sunday and Poverty & Homelessness Action Week are now available for download from the website – worship guides, event guides, fundraising advice and leaflets, posters, activities ideas for children and young people, and PowerPoint materials.  New this year is the prayer calendar...

Prayer calendar – new online and paper resource
With our new prayer calendar, there is a video for each day of Poverty & Homelessness Action Week, telling the story of an individual who has been left out because of poverty or homelessness.  Each story is accompanied by background information, a short prayer, ideas for action, and a suggested donation. The prayers and stories are appropriate for private reflection or public worship.

We'll email you each day of Action Week with a link to the day's materials; you can also follow the prayer calendar by joining us on Twitter or Facebook. 

A paper version of the prayer calendar is also available, in a compact format so you can keep it in your pocket or prayer book. Why not give them out at your Action Week service, or use them in your prayer circle? Download the order form or contact any of the Poverty & Homelessness Action Week partners to order copies of the prayer calendar. If you've already ordered yours, they should be with you very soon!

Why not plan to use the prayer calendar videos in your service or event in Action Week? You can see them all now on YouTube.

Welfare cuts - do people on housing benefit count?
Housing campaigners are shocked at the level and impact of cuts proposed to the housing benefit regime. The Coalition Government has decided that the bill for housing benefit is too high, but rather than offer routes out of homelessness, they threaten to push more people into it.  The worst impact is on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) – the bit of housing benefit that goes to private tenants. Key points are:

• 48% of LHA claimants already have a shortfall – which averages £23 a week – between the allowance they receive and the rent they actually pay
• Allowances will be based on the 30th percentile of local rents, rather than the 50th as at present.  In many areas, this will result in average losses of over £50 a month
• People claiming Job Seekers Allowance will have their LHA reduced by 10% after a year of claiming
• 'Non-dependent deductions' are to go up ahead of the rate of inflation.  This is the amount that is lost to a claimant if they have an adult child living with them, and often leads to the young person having to leave. 

There will be no phasing to allow claimants to come to terms with the benefit cuts; they are expected to absorb it straight away.  But one of the qualifications for claiming in the first place is that you have little or no savings.

Housing Justice and Church Action on Poverty have prepared a briefing about these cuts, with ideas for how you can take action if you're concerned. Other organisations providing information and campaigning against the proposals include Shelter, Crisis, the National Housing Federation and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations. 

Thanks and best wishes

Alastair Cameron, Scottish Churches Housing Action

Beware the Big Society (bad wolf in sheep's clothing???) Statement from Ekklesia

In the face of sweeping public spending cuts and a UK government economic strategy which targets the poor to pay for a crisis produced by the wealthy, a group of Christians in public life (activists, ministers and theologians) have issued this statement calling for Christian unity with others in the movement to resist the cuts in public and welfare provision. It urges the churches to be wary about being co-opted into the Big Society initiative - which it calls 'a big lie' in economic terms. The document articulates a radical theological critique of government policies and the social and economic order they seek to maintain. It is rooted in an alternative vision based on strong Christian roots and wide solidarities, arguing for a Common Wealth that expresses the central dynamics of the Gospel message. The statement is also a call to form a network of discernment, resistance and creativity in the generation of fresh approaches to the shared life of people and planet.

 

For full document see http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/CommonWealthStatement

English Defence League demo in Preston 27th November: A call to Prayer

On Tuesday I attended a meeting of faith leaders with the at the Town Hall called by the Council together with Lancashire Police in view of concerns about the plans of the English Defence league to hold a demonstration in the centre of Preston on the afternoon of Saturday 27^th November.

A counter demonstration is being organised by Unite against Fascism. The police are concerned about keeping the peace between the two groups but are hoping they will be able to keep the groups separate.

Following some communications with Peter Lumsden (one of the Christian reps on the Preston Faith Forum) and some senior church leaders I'm circulating this email around our networks in the hope that people will be able to pick up the prayer theme in churches this Sunday. We are hopeful that church leaders might turn this into a public call to prayer with media coverage in the next few days.

If you want to find out more about the destructive views and actions of the EDL the Daily Mail (of all papers!) has covered it in this article.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1238213/This-England-On-trail-English-Defence-League.html

Their own web site is http://www.englishdefenceleague.org/index.php

More information about Unite Against Fascism can be found here.

http://uaf.org.uk/2010/10/preston-community-unites-against-racist-edl/

It should be of great concern to Christians and other people of faith not only that the track record of the EDL suggests that they will be likely to disturb the peace of our city, but that they misuse Christian symbols and language in their vitriolic attacks against Islam and Muslims. Many of us as Christians will find it offensive that the EDL use the emblem of the cross (a Crusader or St George's version) as a badge of hate rather than a symbol of redemption and reconciliation. They also use the Emperor Constantine's slogan "In hoc signo vinces" (in this sign you will conquer) which has also been used by the Knights Templar and the American Nazi Party.

Christians may want to respond to this in various ways. Fr. Timothy and Preston Minster has led the way by publicising that the through the whole Bible Reading event planned for that week will go ahead as planned despite the demonstration. All are welcome to take part. See LEP article.

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/bible_event_defiance_in_face_of_far_right_march_1_2746233

The week leading up to the 27^th is Inter faith week and Preston Forum of Faiths has organised a programme of events which many people will want to support. http://www.prestonfaithforum.org.uk/news/2010/jun/preston_interfaith_week_2010

We would ask all churches in Preston to call people to pray in church services and privately between now and 27^th November.

• Pray for the peace (shalom) of our city on the day and in the longer term.
• Pray for the police who have responsibility for preventing clashes between hostile groups of demonstrators
• Pray that the EDL will be frustrated, especially in their attempts to present a false perversion of Christianity and that they will come to a true understanding of Christ..