When size really matters
A giant red ‘carbon footprint’ was used at the annual Methodist Conference,
held in Blackpool from 7-12 July, 2007, to show the impact of the world’s
richest countries in causing climate change. It represented the average UK
citizen’s carbon footprint and was accompanied by smaller footprints
representing those of Nigeria, Cameroon, India, Ghana, Zimbabwe
and Myanmar, demonstrating the disproportionate responsibility for climate
change between rich and poor countries.
Receiving a report, Caring for creation in the face of climate change, the
Methodist Conference encouraged local churches, circuits and districts to
monitor and reduce their carbon emissions and made a commitment to identify resources to support this work.
Although the report expressed concern that current government policies are unlikely to achieve the target of a 60% cut in UK carbon emissions by 2050, Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice, said, “There are so many ways we can all make a positive difference to the way our environment is changing. Through the Connexional Team and local churches we hope to empower and equip people to make the small changes that can add up to a big difference”.
Resources to help individuals and churches to take action on climate change are available from Creation Challenge, the environmental network of the Methodist and United Reformed Churches at:
www.creationchallenge.org.uk
You can read the Conference report, Caring for creation in the face of climate change, at:
www.methodistconference.org.uk/news
One People Many Gifts - learning disability and the Church
Prospects is a nationwide Christian voluntary organisation that supports people
with learning disabilities to live their lives to the full. It aims to help make heard the
voices of those with learning disabilities and encourages them in their faith.
Prospects is holding a conference in Birmingham on 20 October 2007, with
many exciting seminars and workshops. Whether you are someone with a learning
disability, someone who cares, someone who has a ministry or wants to explore
a ministry with the learning disabled, this conference is for you.
You can download the full programme here
www.prospects.org.uk
Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Pakistan
For many years members of the Christian community in Pakistan
have suffered persecution for their faith. Over the past year alone,
more than 80 churches have been destroyed, numerous Christians have
endured death threats and hundreds of women have been kidnapped,
raped and forced into prostitution. Christians have been forced to convert
to Islam and many arrested under the blasphemy laws.
The Pakistan Asian Christian Welfare Association, Bradford, is asking
churches in the UK to pray for persecuted Christians in Pakistan on
Sunday 5 August 2007. Revd Peter Whittaker, Chair of the West
Yorkshire Methodist District, along with church leaders of other denominations, appeals for your prayers.
Please pray especially for:
• The churches in Pakistan who provide hope and life to ten million Christians there.
• The Pakistani government, judges, magistrates and police - that the law be followed fairly and impartially.
• For innocent Christians who have been tortured, persecuted and killed.
• For peace, unity and discipline of the people in Pakistan.
Further information from Mr Jim G Dutt, Chairperson of the Pakistan Asian Christian Welfare Association - Bradford (1 Armidale Way, Bradford BD2 1EN) or Dr Elizabeth Harris, Secretary for Inter Faith Relations: harrise@methodistchurch.org.uk
A Good Childhood? Growing Up in the 21st Century
A recent UNICEF report placed the UK bottom of developed countries in terms
of children's wellbeing. Many people who work with children have called for a
public debate about our market-driven society's impact on childhood.
The National Children's Society has set up the first independent national public
inquiry into childhood and together with St Paul's Institute are holding a
programme of debates on parenting, consumerism and education together
with study days, workshops, meditative services and a retreat.
Debates will include questions such as "do we see children as a blessing,
a right or a lifestyle choice?", "what makes for a good childhood and the
grounding of a good adulthood?" and will consider such issues as the impact of consumerism on a child's development. The debates are being held in St Paul's Cathedral, London on 16/23/30 October and 6 November from 6.30pm - 8pm. Meditative services in the Cathedral on 7/14/21 and 28 October are from 6pm - 6.50pm. All these events are free and unticketed.
A study day on 23 November is aimed at clergy and others who work with children in churches and will consider the role that churches can play in promoting healthy spiritual development of children.
Details of all these events and more can be found at:
www.stpauls.co.uk/institute
The latest podcasts - from the Methodist Conference 2007
The Methodist Conference, which is the governing body of the Methodist Church of
Great Britain, met for its annual Conference in Blackpool from 7 - 12 July, 2007. You
can listen to podcasts of many of the proceedings, including the President and Vice-
President's addresses, the Methodist Youth Conference report, ministerial
issues, climate change, safeguarding, trade justice in the British food industry, and
much, much more. Listen at:
www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.webradio
You can also arrange to have the podcast downloaded automatically each month if you have iTunes or similar 'podcasting' software on your computer.
www.theinterface.org.uk: where Christianity meets Culture
Is it time for a radical rethink of what we mean by 'church'?
This is just one of the debates currently underway on the Interface. Another bears the
intriguing title ‘Christian ‘two-column’ church identity OR ‘The minister goes round,
doesn’t he?’ Add your comment or join in the poll, which is taking votes on whether symbolic jewellery is acceptable to wear to school.
The site was created with the aim of providing a friendly space for Methodists to discuss hot news topics and their implications for our faith.
www.theinterface.org.uk
