With the Middle-Eastern situation remaining fragile, Methgodist support is being sought for an international peace campaign that has its roots in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza.
The campaign, "Thursdays in Black", asks people to wear a specially made black T-shirt or other item of black clothing every Thursday, in solidarity with women "who suffer every day of the week". It brings together various strands of peace protest from around the world, including the "Women in Black" of Gaza.
The movement is supported by the British Unit of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW)working in collaboration with the Methodist Church's Women's Network, which sell special T-shirts and badges to raise awareness of violence against women, wherever and whenever it occurs.
In response to the last few weeks of military action in the Gaza Strip, the WFMUCW and Women's Network have once again taken the opportunity to remind Methodists of this initiative. In addition they are suggesting that people come together and pray for peace each Thursday.
WFMUCW British unit correspondent Jill Baker believes the campaign represents "one samll way in which we can offer our solidarity to those suffering in this conflict". 2Thursdays in Black" was launched by the World Council of Churches in the 1980s as a peaceful stand against some of the by-products of war and conflict; namely rape, violence and fear of violence.
Special campaign T-shirts are available from WFMUCW British unit treasurer Ann Baarda (tel: 01757 709 057 or e-mail eabaarda@mypostoffice.co.uk).
Source: Methodist Recorder 29/01/2009
Friday, 30 January 2009
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Justice as Vietnam Celebrates Tet (New Year)
Tomorrow is the beginning of the Tet (New Year) celebrations in Vietnam and, since we don't hear too much about this part of the world these days, I would like to share this newspaper report of the situation there now.
"Vietnam's strong economic development has seen the emergence of middle class and high-income groups of people that can afford a luxurious lifestyle, which has spilled over into how they welcome Tet. Most of these people, especially in big cities like Hanoi, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh, no longer make the banh chung (square cakes made from glutinous rice, pork and green beans), lean pork paste and fruit jams during the Tet season.
"People choose blossoms trees in Hanoi to decorate their house during Tet
Modernization means they have neither the time nor the inclination for such activities. Spending many hours at offices and factories leaves little time for cooking at home, and everything. Expensive imported items and locally-made food products that serve many budget levels are available in the market. From street vendors, groceries stores, and regional markets to plush upmarket trade centers, the options are plentiful if you have money.
"Already clogged with motorbikes and an increasing number of cars, streets in the cities are snarled on pre-Tet days as people rush to markets, supermarkets, trade centers and other shops. “The number of customers coming here during the Tet shopping season has increased many times over ordinary days. We have prepared more goods and mobilized more staff to serve them,” says Nguyet Anh, an employee of the Trang Tien Plaza in Hanoi.
"At a supermarket in the plaza, streams of customers with shopping carts loaded with foods, beverages, cosmetics and garments cram through its narrow doorways. “In my mother’s generation, cooking used to be one of their joys during Tet. Now, we don’t want to spend much time on it [cooking]. We want to spend Tet relaxing,” says nurse Nguyen Thi Hanh, 27, while choosing some semi-processed chicken.
People today also spend more time decorating their houses with flowers and bonsai for Tet. Many have spent hundreds of dollars on bonsai plants and trees with beautiful shapes for the holiday, which falls on January 26 this year.
"People in the north have a tradition of displaying peach blossoms and kumquat trees while those in the south display ochna plants that bloom yellow flowers during Tet.
This year, many people in the south have chosen peach blossoms and kumquat bonsai mainly grown in Hanoi and the northern provinces of Bac Giang and Hung Yen, as well as that of ochna plants grown in southern localities, says gardener Nguyen Duc Minh, as he waters trees pruned in the shapes of pyramids, dragons, phoenixes and even waterfalls.
"There are other changes in the way Tet is celebrated, including one indispensable activity, which is to visit relatives and not leave without eating or drinking. That custom is changing now. Instead of welcoming Tet at home, many people are choosing beaches, including Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc and Tuan Chau, while others prefer to travel abroad, mainly to regional countries like China, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
"Another Tet tradition that has changed a lot in recent years is the offering of gifts. Previously, Tet gifts were locally-produced wine bottles and boxes of jams as offerings to parents, relatives and bosses as a sign of affection and respect.
Now, many people choose to buy expensive gifts for their superiors with some presents destined for officials worth thousands of dollars.
"Amidst all the changes, there is a constant. Every New Year is awaited with expectations and hopes of greater joy and prosperity in the coming year. Visitors check out orchids and ornamental plants at September 23rd Park’s Tet flower market
"The Youth Cultural House in Ho Chi Minh City has a full schedule of traditional events to celebrate Tet that will go on until the fifth day of the new year. City sings, dances and blossoms for Tet. The Tet Viet Ky Suu 2009 (2009 Vietnamese Lunar New Year of the Buffalo) festival opened last Thursday with displays of pictures and calligraphy that are also for sale. It also features lion dancing and a contest between don ca tai tu (traditional southern folk music) groups.
"A “calligraphy street” will be set up in front of the house in Pham Ngoc Thach Street, and was open until January 25. It has calligraphers showing off their skills, exhibitions and sales of their works. Also, a photography exhibition will trace Vietnam’s development through the years, and a weeklong tea festival opening today will showcase the nation’s tea-drinking culture. A tourist looks at calligraphy on display in front of the HCMC Youth Cultural House in District 1
On Friday, three days before Tet, visitors will be taught how to make banh tet (round glutinous cake), which will be given later that day to 2,000 orphans along with li xi (lucky money given to children for Tet).
"Traditional Vietnamese martial arts and co nguoi (human Chinese chess) performances will begin on January 27 until the 30th. The city is also blooming with Tet flower markets to mark the holiday, with the largest flower market, the Tet Flower Market at September 23rd Park, opening on Sunday in District 1. The park is vibrant with the colors of peach blossoms from the north, kumquats from the Mekong Delta, and ochnas from Binh Dinh and Ben Tre provinces. A seller from northern Hai Duong Province said peach blossoms were more expensive this year due to higher workers’ wages and transportation costs. An eight-year-old peach blossom tree is priced VND1.5 million (US$86) while smaller ones sell for around VND600,000. For the first time ever, strawberry trees from the Central Highlands’ Lam Dong Province are being sold at the market for VND80,000 and many cool-temperature flower varieties, such as lilies, are available.
"In addition, the Nguyen Hue Flower Street will open in downtown this Friday as the epicenter of all the city’s Tet seasonal celebrations. The street fair, including hundreds of booths and live outdoor performances, will take place on Nguyen Hue Boulevard in District 1. Three other large Tet flower markets are currently open at District 1’s Le Van Tam Park, Gia Dinh Park in Go Vap District and the Phu My Hung New Urban Area in District 7."
Source: Thanh Nien (Youth) News 20/01/2009
My daughter was concerned that nothing was said about those without money and so she writes this 'to give a balanced picture'.
'Ostentatious spending on an unprecedented scale is in sharp contrast to the difficult time facing all too many as the New Year approaches. To make money, you need money, so for those on low salaries, including many highly-skilled professionals, even affording necessities such as normal food, school and medical fees presents a real problem, and travelling home for the festivities in unthinkable.'
You may find the following site interesting:
http://chao-vietnam.blogspot.com
"Vietnam's strong economic development has seen the emergence of middle class and high-income groups of people that can afford a luxurious lifestyle, which has spilled over into how they welcome Tet. Most of these people, especially in big cities like Hanoi, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh, no longer make the banh chung (square cakes made from glutinous rice, pork and green beans), lean pork paste and fruit jams during the Tet season.
"People choose blossoms trees in Hanoi to decorate their house during Tet
Modernization means they have neither the time nor the inclination for such activities. Spending many hours at offices and factories leaves little time for cooking at home, and everything. Expensive imported items and locally-made food products that serve many budget levels are available in the market. From street vendors, groceries stores, and regional markets to plush upmarket trade centers, the options are plentiful if you have money.
"Already clogged with motorbikes and an increasing number of cars, streets in the cities are snarled on pre-Tet days as people rush to markets, supermarkets, trade centers and other shops. “The number of customers coming here during the Tet shopping season has increased many times over ordinary days. We have prepared more goods and mobilized more staff to serve them,” says Nguyet Anh, an employee of the Trang Tien Plaza in Hanoi.
"At a supermarket in the plaza, streams of customers with shopping carts loaded with foods, beverages, cosmetics and garments cram through its narrow doorways. “In my mother’s generation, cooking used to be one of their joys during Tet. Now, we don’t want to spend much time on it [cooking]. We want to spend Tet relaxing,” says nurse Nguyen Thi Hanh, 27, while choosing some semi-processed chicken.
People today also spend more time decorating their houses with flowers and bonsai for Tet. Many have spent hundreds of dollars on bonsai plants and trees with beautiful shapes for the holiday, which falls on January 26 this year.
"People in the north have a tradition of displaying peach blossoms and kumquat trees while those in the south display ochna plants that bloom yellow flowers during Tet.
This year, many people in the south have chosen peach blossoms and kumquat bonsai mainly grown in Hanoi and the northern provinces of Bac Giang and Hung Yen, as well as that of ochna plants grown in southern localities, says gardener Nguyen Duc Minh, as he waters trees pruned in the shapes of pyramids, dragons, phoenixes and even waterfalls.
"There are other changes in the way Tet is celebrated, including one indispensable activity, which is to visit relatives and not leave without eating or drinking. That custom is changing now. Instead of welcoming Tet at home, many people are choosing beaches, including Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc and Tuan Chau, while others prefer to travel abroad, mainly to regional countries like China, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
"Another Tet tradition that has changed a lot in recent years is the offering of gifts. Previously, Tet gifts were locally-produced wine bottles and boxes of jams as offerings to parents, relatives and bosses as a sign of affection and respect.
Now, many people choose to buy expensive gifts for their superiors with some presents destined for officials worth thousands of dollars.
"Amidst all the changes, there is a constant. Every New Year is awaited with expectations and hopes of greater joy and prosperity in the coming year. Visitors check out orchids and ornamental plants at September 23rd Park’s Tet flower market
"The Youth Cultural House in Ho Chi Minh City has a full schedule of traditional events to celebrate Tet that will go on until the fifth day of the new year. City sings, dances and blossoms for Tet. The Tet Viet Ky Suu 2009 (2009 Vietnamese Lunar New Year of the Buffalo) festival opened last Thursday with displays of pictures and calligraphy that are also for sale. It also features lion dancing and a contest between don ca tai tu (traditional southern folk music) groups.
"A “calligraphy street” will be set up in front of the house in Pham Ngoc Thach Street, and was open until January 25. It has calligraphers showing off their skills, exhibitions and sales of their works. Also, a photography exhibition will trace Vietnam’s development through the years, and a weeklong tea festival opening today will showcase the nation’s tea-drinking culture. A tourist looks at calligraphy on display in front of the HCMC Youth Cultural House in District 1
On Friday, three days before Tet, visitors will be taught how to make banh tet (round glutinous cake), which will be given later that day to 2,000 orphans along with li xi (lucky money given to children for Tet).
"Traditional Vietnamese martial arts and co nguoi (human Chinese chess) performances will begin on January 27 until the 30th. The city is also blooming with Tet flower markets to mark the holiday, with the largest flower market, the Tet Flower Market at September 23rd Park, opening on Sunday in District 1. The park is vibrant with the colors of peach blossoms from the north, kumquats from the Mekong Delta, and ochnas from Binh Dinh and Ben Tre provinces. A seller from northern Hai Duong Province said peach blossoms were more expensive this year due to higher workers’ wages and transportation costs. An eight-year-old peach blossom tree is priced VND1.5 million (US$86) while smaller ones sell for around VND600,000. For the first time ever, strawberry trees from the Central Highlands’ Lam Dong Province are being sold at the market for VND80,000 and many cool-temperature flower varieties, such as lilies, are available.
"In addition, the Nguyen Hue Flower Street will open in downtown this Friday as the epicenter of all the city’s Tet seasonal celebrations. The street fair, including hundreds of booths and live outdoor performances, will take place on Nguyen Hue Boulevard in District 1. Three other large Tet flower markets are currently open at District 1’s Le Van Tam Park, Gia Dinh Park in Go Vap District and the Phu My Hung New Urban Area in District 7."
Source: Thanh Nien (Youth) News 20/01/2009
My daughter was concerned that nothing was said about those without money and so she writes this 'to give a balanced picture'.
'Ostentatious spending on an unprecedented scale is in sharp contrast to the difficult time facing all too many as the New Year approaches. To make money, you need money, so for those on low salaries, including many highly-skilled professionals, even affording necessities such as normal food, school and medical fees presents a real problem, and travelling home for the festivities in unthinkable.'
You may find the following site interesting:
http://chao-vietnam.blogspot.com
Friday, 23 January 2009
Christians are becoming social pariahs in Britain, claims Jeremy Vine
Christians are becoming social pariahs in Britain, claims Jeremy Vine
Jeremy Vine, the BBC presenter, has claimed that it is becoming "socially unacceptable" to be a Christian in Britain.
The Radio 2 host said that he feels unable to talk about his faith on his show because he fears how people would react. He argues that society has become increasingly intolerant of the freedom to express religious views. "You can't express views that were common currency 30 or 40 years ago," he said. "Arguably, the parameters of what you might call 'right thinking' are probably closing. "Sadly, along with that has come the fact that it's almost socially unacceptable to say you believe in God."
His comments follow the claim from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, that Britain is an "unfriendly" place for religious people to live.
Mr Vine, 43, is a practising Anglican, but says he would be compromised by being more open about his faith on air. "Just blurting it out would be destructive," he said. "Just because something's true doesn't mean you can say it. That's quite an important principle. Once I put my cards on the table about my faith in discussions, it becomes problematic."
In an interview with Reform, a magazine published by the United Reformed Church, Mr Vine says that he is forced to separate his personal beliefs from his role as a presenter. "One of the things that I think, which may sound bizarre, is that Christ is who he said he was. I don't think I'd put that out on my show; I suppose there's a bit of a firewall between thinking that and doing the job I do."
Last year, Mark Thompson, the director-general of the BBC and a practising Roman Catholic, suggested that Islam should be treated more sensitively by the BBC than Christianity. However, he also said that accusations that the corporation was anti-God were "not just too sweeping; they are not even directionally true".
Ed Stourton, one of Mr Vine's colleagues at the BBC, said that he felt that the biggest problem for people of faith is being sidelined. Clearly we live in a secular society and that has increased, but I don't get a sense of being persecuted," he said. There's a problem for people who are active in their faith in feeling that the society around them ignores them." The Today presenter said that he wouldn't allow his faith to affect his job as he has a duty to reflect the views of his audience.
He added: "I'm perfectly happy to say I'm a Roman Catholic and that doesn't mean I'm a nutter."
Tony Blair revealed in 2007 that he had been unable to be open about his faith when Prime Minister for fear that people would label him a "nutter". "It's difficult if you talk about religious faith in our political system," he said. "If you are in the American political system or others then you can talk about religious faith and people say 'Yes, that's fair enough,' and it is something they respond to quite naturally. You talk about it in our system and, frankly, people do think you're a nutter."
Source: Daily Telegraph (18/1)
Jeremy Vine, the BBC presenter, has claimed that it is becoming "socially unacceptable" to be a Christian in Britain.
The Radio 2 host said that he feels unable to talk about his faith on his show because he fears how people would react. He argues that society has become increasingly intolerant of the freedom to express religious views. "You can't express views that were common currency 30 or 40 years ago," he said. "Arguably, the parameters of what you might call 'right thinking' are probably closing. "Sadly, along with that has come the fact that it's almost socially unacceptable to say you believe in God."
His comments follow the claim from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, that Britain is an "unfriendly" place for religious people to live.
Mr Vine, 43, is a practising Anglican, but says he would be compromised by being more open about his faith on air. "Just blurting it out would be destructive," he said. "Just because something's true doesn't mean you can say it. That's quite an important principle. Once I put my cards on the table about my faith in discussions, it becomes problematic."
In an interview with Reform, a magazine published by the United Reformed Church, Mr Vine says that he is forced to separate his personal beliefs from his role as a presenter. "One of the things that I think, which may sound bizarre, is that Christ is who he said he was. I don't think I'd put that out on my show; I suppose there's a bit of a firewall between thinking that and doing the job I do."
Last year, Mark Thompson, the director-general of the BBC and a practising Roman Catholic, suggested that Islam should be treated more sensitively by the BBC than Christianity. However, he also said that accusations that the corporation was anti-God were "not just too sweeping; they are not even directionally true".
Ed Stourton, one of Mr Vine's colleagues at the BBC, said that he felt that the biggest problem for people of faith is being sidelined. Clearly we live in a secular society and that has increased, but I don't get a sense of being persecuted," he said. There's a problem for people who are active in their faith in feeling that the society around them ignores them." The Today presenter said that he wouldn't allow his faith to affect his job as he has a duty to reflect the views of his audience.
He added: "I'm perfectly happy to say I'm a Roman Catholic and that doesn't mean I'm a nutter."
Tony Blair revealed in 2007 that he had been unable to be open about his faith when Prime Minister for fear that people would label him a "nutter". "It's difficult if you talk about religious faith in our political system," he said. "If you are in the American political system or others then you can talk about religious faith and people say 'Yes, that's fair enough,' and it is something they respond to quite naturally. You talk about it in our system and, frankly, people do think you're a nutter."
Source: Daily Telegraph (18/1)
CHRISTIAN CHARITY SENDS BIBLE TO BARACK
The Evangelical Alliance UK is sending President Barack Obama a new Bible after reports that one was mysteriously absent from his second swearing in.
Dr Krish Kandiah, Director of Churches in Mission for the Evangelical Alliance, will post a copy of an edition of the Bible that highlights issues of poverty and justice to the new President to make sure he has one on hand for any future need.
“President Obama’s commitment to the scripture was obvious during his inaugural address, when he quoted Paul’s letter to the Corinthians - so when we heard he didn’t swear on a Bible the second time, we could only assume it was because he couldn’t find one,” said Dr Kandiah.
“We are sending him a copy of the Bible in case he is ever Biblically caught short again. We are delighted that President Obama takes justice and the alleviation of poverty very seriously, so we will send him a Bible that focuses on these issues that are so close to his, and God’s, heart.”
President Obama said in his inaugural address: “We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.”
The Evangelical Alliance will send President Obama a copy of The Poverty and Justice Bible, published by Bible Society, which is the first to highlight more than 2,000 passages that speak of God’s attitude to poverty and justice. Challenging the notion that the Bible is a dusty, outdated rulebook, it shows that, on the biggest issues of our day, God got there first – and he has something to say.
Recently Prime Minister Gordon Brown was presented with The Poverty and Justice Bible at Downing Street . And in July last year, hundreds of Bishops carried The Poverty and Justice Bible as they marched across Westminster in a campaign against world poverty.
Peter Meadows, Associate Executive Director at Bible Society, said: “The Bible has a place in public life and government, which is why it was part of President Obama's inauguration. But it is more than symbolic. It's more than a good idea. The Bible is a reminder that true hope and real change has its root in Scripture.”
Source: Evangelical Alliance 22/01/2009
Dr Krish Kandiah, Director of Churches in Mission for the Evangelical Alliance, will post a copy of an edition of the Bible that highlights issues of poverty and justice to the new President to make sure he has one on hand for any future need.
“President Obama’s commitment to the scripture was obvious during his inaugural address, when he quoted Paul’s letter to the Corinthians - so when we heard he didn’t swear on a Bible the second time, we could only assume it was because he couldn’t find one,” said Dr Kandiah.
“We are sending him a copy of the Bible in case he is ever Biblically caught short again. We are delighted that President Obama takes justice and the alleviation of poverty very seriously, so we will send him a Bible that focuses on these issues that are so close to his, and God’s, heart.”
President Obama said in his inaugural address: “We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.”
The Evangelical Alliance will send President Obama a copy of The Poverty and Justice Bible, published by Bible Society, which is the first to highlight more than 2,000 passages that speak of God’s attitude to poverty and justice. Challenging the notion that the Bible is a dusty, outdated rulebook, it shows that, on the biggest issues of our day, God got there first – and he has something to say.
Recently Prime Minister Gordon Brown was presented with The Poverty and Justice Bible at Downing Street . And in July last year, hundreds of Bishops carried The Poverty and Justice Bible as they marched across Westminster in a campaign against world poverty.
Peter Meadows, Associate Executive Director at Bible Society, said: “The Bible has a place in public life and government, which is why it was part of President Obama's inauguration. But it is more than symbolic. It's more than a good idea. The Bible is a reminder that true hope and real change has its root in Scripture.”
Source: Evangelical Alliance 22/01/2009
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Musical Centenary
Last Saturday members of our church treated us to a lively concert of 100 years of music and entertainment, with something from each decade. They began with everyone singing wartime songs like 'Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag' and ended with the choir singing songs from 'Mama Mia', with improvements by the two 'vicars' wives' as they danced to the music! In between, we were entertained by piano recitals - one by a very quiet young man with autism whose talent was quite a shock to all who had never even heard him talk! - and poems by Pam Ayers. We ended with a hot supper of things like vegetable lasagne and shepherd's pie for so many people that we had to serve an overflow in the Woodcote Room. A very happy occasion.
For our next celebration we have invited the National Methodist Youth Brass Band for the weekend of 7th to 8th February, when they will give a concert on the Saturday evening and play for the Morning Service on the Sunday morning. Just in case anyone reading this lives near enough to want to come to the concert at Caversham Heights Methodist Church, Reading, tickets are £5 from Janet Offord 0118 947 0903 Email:janet@offordrs.idps.co.uk or from Viv Emerson 01491 572 531 Email: vivemerson@supanet.com
The Methodist Youth Brass Band was formed in April 1987 when 20 enthusiastic young brass players responded to an advert in the Methodist Recorder and got together at Surbiton Hill Methodist Church. After just two lengthy and concentrated rehearsals they gave a creditable first concert and then on the Sunday participated in morning worship by playing the voluntaries and accompanying all the hymns. The National Methodist Youth Brass Band had been born. It was evident from that first weekend that there was potential and promise for such a band and that God's Spirit was urging it on.
But how can you run a band on a national basis? How can they get together to practise and perform? What about the cost of travel and accommodation? The answer is 'weekends'. The band meets four or five times a year from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. The players sleep on the floor in church halls and are fed by local congregations. They give a Saturday night concert and lead Sunday morning worship - a pattern set by that first weekend in Surbiton.
WE are eagerly looking forward to welcoming our young vistors and listening to their music.
For our next celebration we have invited the National Methodist Youth Brass Band for the weekend of 7th to 8th February, when they will give a concert on the Saturday evening and play for the Morning Service on the Sunday morning. Just in case anyone reading this lives near enough to want to come to the concert at Caversham Heights Methodist Church, Reading, tickets are £5 from Janet Offord 0118 947 0903 Email:janet@offordrs.idps.co.uk or from Viv Emerson 01491 572 531 Email: vivemerson@supanet.com
The Methodist Youth Brass Band was formed in April 1987 when 20 enthusiastic young brass players responded to an advert in the Methodist Recorder and got together at Surbiton Hill Methodist Church. After just two lengthy and concentrated rehearsals they gave a creditable first concert and then on the Sunday participated in morning worship by playing the voluntaries and accompanying all the hymns. The National Methodist Youth Brass Band had been born. It was evident from that first weekend that there was potential and promise for such a band and that God's Spirit was urging it on.
But how can you run a band on a national basis? How can they get together to practise and perform? What about the cost of travel and accommodation? The answer is 'weekends'. The band meets four or five times a year from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. The players sleep on the floor in church halls and are fed by local congregations. They give a Saturday night concert and lead Sunday morning worship - a pattern set by that first weekend in Surbiton.
WE are eagerly looking forward to welcoming our young vistors and listening to their music.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Conference of European Churches Essay Challenge
Have you seen the essay competition highlighted by Sarah Malik, our Methodist Youth President, on her blog http://methodistyouthpres.blogspot.com ? Methodist Minister, Richard Hall, has pulled out fuller details from the European Churches website to post on his blog http://theconnexion.net/wp/ if you want a quick reference.
There's not a lot of time to publicise this before the deadline of 15th February, but it would be good to encourage our young folk to enter. This is an ecumenical project on the wonderful theme of Christian hope - so much needed by all of us today.
Do go to these two websites and encourage the under 30s to challenge us all to truly put our hope in Christ.
There's not a lot of time to publicise this before the deadline of 15th February, but it would be good to encourage our young folk to enter. This is an ecumenical project on the wonderful theme of Christian hope - so much needed by all of us today.
Do go to these two websites and encourage the under 30s to challenge us all to truly put our hope in Christ.
Churches tackle credit crisis issues
Call to move towards a sustainable economy
Christian thinkers came together at Methodist Church House in London yesterday to talk about how the Churches could lead the way through the economic crisis.
The speakers at the conference organised by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland examined the root causes of the current crisis from a faith perspective and gave their thoughts on what the free churches’ role in addressing the global financial meltdown should be.
John Ellis, strategic leader of the Methodist Church Connexional Team and Treasurer of the United Reformed Church who previously worked at the Bank of England, made the connection between HSBC’s relatively safe riding of the economic storm and its chairman’s Christian faith.
“It is fairly safe to assert that HSBC has been the most robust during the recent economic troubles,” he said. “It is also safe to assert that the chairman of HSBC is an Anglican priest. Is that a coincidence?”
John also pointed out the growth of credit unions in recent years and the possibility of a return to basic banking.
Ann Pettifor, former head of Jubilee 2000 Debt Relief Campaign and Campaign Director of Operation Noah, blamed the sin of usury and easy credit for the crisis and examined the role high interest rates had played in the bursting of the credit bubble.
“Six per cent interest is an incredibly high and, I would say, usurious rate,” she said. “Usury is the exalting of money values over human and environmental values. Capital and globalisation is based on the principal that there are no boundaries. But the problem is law needs boundaries.” Ann emphasised that usury was looked down upon in Islam.
Bob Goudzwaard, Professor Emeritus of Economics and Social Philosophy at the Free University in Amsterdam, said he hoped churches would be willing to take part in a discussion on changing economic structures.
Paula Clifford, Head of Theology at Christian Aid, told the conference she thought the view that the economic crisis served a higher purpose was deeply offensive to poorer people who are now experiencing cuts in aid. Niall Cooper, from the Get Fair Campaign against poverty, said the Church should not be afraid to take sides, get political and stand up for the poor.
Alison Gelder, Chief Executive of Housing Justice, posed the question: “To what extent should we share the responsibility of looking around the community and saying, ‘Who is it who needs housing?’”
John Reynolds, an investment banker and Chairman of the Church of England’s Ethical Investment Advisory Group, laid out a five point agenda in which churches would have a stronger voice. “Ethical pressure must be applied both on companies and stake holders at the same time,” he said.
Following a panel discussion, Michael Bartlet, Parliamentary Liaison Officer for Quaker Peace and Social Witness, summed up the discussion. “We face today a choice between a political economy based on greed and consumption and a way of life which is based on sustainable and just relationships with our neighbour,” he said. “This conference is an example of the practical kind of way we can work together in the future towards building a more sustainable economy.”
ENDS
Notes
Other speakers included Dr Murdo Macdonald, Policy Officer for the Church of Scotland, Society, Religion and Technology Project, who looked at the crisis from a Scottish perspective, and Geraint Hopkins, Policy Officer at Churches Together in Wales, who gave a Welsh outlook.
Audio files of the key note speeches and the panel discussion will shortly be available on-line on the Methodist Web Radio page on the Methodist Church in Great Britain website at http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.webradio
To find out more about Churches Together in Britain and Ireland visit http://www.ctbi.org.uk/
Please note that each contributor at the event was speaking from their own perspective and those views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the British Methodist Church.
Source: Methodist News Service 21/01/2009
Christian thinkers came together at Methodist Church House in London yesterday to talk about how the Churches could lead the way through the economic crisis.
The speakers at the conference organised by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland examined the root causes of the current crisis from a faith perspective and gave their thoughts on what the free churches’ role in addressing the global financial meltdown should be.
John Ellis, strategic leader of the Methodist Church Connexional Team and Treasurer of the United Reformed Church who previously worked at the Bank of England, made the connection between HSBC’s relatively safe riding of the economic storm and its chairman’s Christian faith.
“It is fairly safe to assert that HSBC has been the most robust during the recent economic troubles,” he said. “It is also safe to assert that the chairman of HSBC is an Anglican priest. Is that a coincidence?”
John also pointed out the growth of credit unions in recent years and the possibility of a return to basic banking.
Ann Pettifor, former head of Jubilee 2000 Debt Relief Campaign and Campaign Director of Operation Noah, blamed the sin of usury and easy credit for the crisis and examined the role high interest rates had played in the bursting of the credit bubble.
“Six per cent interest is an incredibly high and, I would say, usurious rate,” she said. “Usury is the exalting of money values over human and environmental values. Capital and globalisation is based on the principal that there are no boundaries. But the problem is law needs boundaries.” Ann emphasised that usury was looked down upon in Islam.
Bob Goudzwaard, Professor Emeritus of Economics and Social Philosophy at the Free University in Amsterdam, said he hoped churches would be willing to take part in a discussion on changing economic structures.
Paula Clifford, Head of Theology at Christian Aid, told the conference she thought the view that the economic crisis served a higher purpose was deeply offensive to poorer people who are now experiencing cuts in aid. Niall Cooper, from the Get Fair Campaign against poverty, said the Church should not be afraid to take sides, get political and stand up for the poor.
Alison Gelder, Chief Executive of Housing Justice, posed the question: “To what extent should we share the responsibility of looking around the community and saying, ‘Who is it who needs housing?’”
John Reynolds, an investment banker and Chairman of the Church of England’s Ethical Investment Advisory Group, laid out a five point agenda in which churches would have a stronger voice. “Ethical pressure must be applied both on companies and stake holders at the same time,” he said.
Following a panel discussion, Michael Bartlet, Parliamentary Liaison Officer for Quaker Peace and Social Witness, summed up the discussion. “We face today a choice between a political economy based on greed and consumption and a way of life which is based on sustainable and just relationships with our neighbour,” he said. “This conference is an example of the practical kind of way we can work together in the future towards building a more sustainable economy.”
ENDS
Notes
Other speakers included Dr Murdo Macdonald, Policy Officer for the Church of Scotland, Society, Religion and Technology Project, who looked at the crisis from a Scottish perspective, and Geraint Hopkins, Policy Officer at Churches Together in Wales, who gave a Welsh outlook.
Audio files of the key note speeches and the panel discussion will shortly be available on-line on the Methodist Web Radio page on the Methodist Church in Great Britain website at http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.webradio
To find out more about Churches Together in Britain and Ireland visit http://www.ctbi.org.uk/
Please note that each contributor at the event was speaking from their own perspective and those views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the British Methodist Church.
Source: Methodist News Service 21/01/2009
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