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PUBLIC ISSUES TEAM |
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The Art of the Possible - Exploring the meaning of faith in
the world of politics Does politics have a role
in the Church or is it a distraction from mission? Is politics about compromise and faith about
truth? This unique new resource from the
Joint Public Issues Team will stimulate and challenge groups to explore these
questions. Material for six sessions,
comprising leaders’ notes and group handouts, is available to download free
from: www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/artofthepossible.
Each session is complete in itself so
you could cover the whole series, pick one, or tailor a session to the
particular needs of your community. Topics include:
‘Created in God’s Image’ - Report of the Working Group on Human
Embryology and Early Human Life Methodist Conference in
2007 asked that a Working Group be established to produce a report on the
theological, ethical and social principles in issues of early human life in the
light of technological and medical developments. The group comprised Methodist, Baptist and United
Reformed Church representatives. The
full report is now available at www.methodist.org.uk/downloads/co_847_080408.doc. A study guide will be available by June 2009
and it is intended that further work will be undertaken on issues of peri-natal
and neo-natal care. The United Reformed
Church will hold a fringe meeting on the issues at the forthcoming Assembly
(lunchtime on Sunday 13 July) with a member of the Working Group and the Policy
Officer of the Church of Scotland’s Society, Religion and Technology
Project. It is envisaged that the
position of the URC on the issues of pre-natal, peri-natal and neo-natal care
will be reviewed in the light of the reports and resolutions brought to General
Assembly in 2010. The July issue of
Reform will feature an article with contributions from the three URC members of
the Working Group. Climate Change Bill The
Climate Change Bill will shortly come to the House of Commons. The
government has not yet accepted proposed amendments to include aviation and
shipping emissions. They have also not yet agreed to place a limit on the
use of overseas credits that allow the financing of carbon reduction in other
countries instead of taking action in the UK.
For
writing to your MP, see www.jointpublicissues.org.uk
and www.christianaid.org.uk. National Ethical Investment Week, 18-24 May Organised by the UK Social
Investment Forum (UKSIF - www.uksif.org), the first National Ethical
Investment Week (NEIW) aims to highlight the benefits of green and ethical
investment. With involvement from the
financial services industry, NGOs, community and faith-based organisations,
NEIW will encourage consumers to reflect on the social and environmental impact
of their financial choices and consider a green and ethical investment
option. For more information, go to: www.neiw.org
or contact Julia Blair: julia.blair@uksif.org ; 020 7749 9956. International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and
Israel, 4-10 June The World Council of
Churches has encouraged its member Churches to support a week of advocacy and
action for a just peace in Palestine and Israel, with a commitment to: ·
Pray with churches living under occupation, using a special
prayer from Church Leaders in Jerusalem (copy attached); ·
Educate about actions that make for peace and about facts on
the ground that do not; ·
Advocate with political leaders using ecumenical policies
that promote peace with justice; ·
Take up Public Action - in order to stress the depth of
church concern. For further information,
go to: www.oikoumene.org. City of Sanctuary - First National Conference Wednesday 4 June, 11.00am - 4.30pm at the Quaker
Meeting House, Sheffield. Could your town or city
become an official 'City of Sanctuary' for refugees and asylum-seekers? Find out how Sheffield
has become the UK's first official 'City of Sanctuary'; share information and
ideas with new City of Sanctuary groups around the country and explore how you
can build a grassroots City of Sanctuary movement in your own town or city. To book a free place or
for more information, please contact craig@cityofsanctuary.org or visit www.cityofsanctuary.org. Speaking Out - Guidance on
Campaigning and Political Activity by Charities
Issued
in March 2008, the latest guidance from the Charity Commission is online at: http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/cc9.asp
and is the first to be published since the new Charities Act came into effect. Although the basic legal position as regards
charity campaigning has not changed, this guidance focuses first on the
freedoms and possibilities for charities to campaign, and only then on the
restrictions and risks that trustees must bear in mind. REMINDERS Churches’ Refugee Network Conference Saturday 17 May, 11.00 am - 4.30 pm at
Carrs Lane Church Centre, Birmingham.
For further information/booking form, contact Wendy Cooper (wendy.cooper@urc.org.uk
; 020 7916 8632). Journey to Justice - Breaking the
Chains of Global Debt Sunday 18 May in Birmingham. For further information and to book tickets
for the afternoon event, see www.journeytojustice.org or ring 05601
507359. Not for Sale Sunday - 18 May See
www.notforsalesunday.org
for a wide range of worship resources. Contact If you would like to receive the
Joint Public Issues Team Newsletter, or would like to publicise an event or
project, please contact Wendy Cooper - wendy.cooper@urc.org.uk
- telephone 020 7916 8632 - United
Reformed Church, 86 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9RT. |
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