Diocesan Courses Diocesan Events
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The latest issues of Moving Stories from the Occupied Palestinian Territories and now available to download.
This includes reports on Community, Water and Freedom Rights, The report to the Metthodist Conference in Issue 127 and a report from Abu Abdullah living in the West Bank, and feedback from Operation Dove in Issue 128.
They may be downloaded HERE
Moving Stories Issue 127
Moving Stories Issue 128
Micah Challenge has launched its 2010 campaign What’s Your Promise?
They want to give you the chance to be involved in something that could really change our world… And all through the power of a promise!
They have launched their 2010 campaign What’s Your Promise?
For more details download the flyer HERE Micah Challenge
or go to their website at www.whatsyourpromise.org.uk
Responding to the crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Water
Rows of neat suburban houses stand on the parched, barren hillside. A water tower looms over them, irrigating lush greenery in the gardens. But outside this West Bank settlement’s perimeter fence sits the tiny Bedouin community of Umm Al Kher, whose residents are desperate for water.
Here in the South Hebron Hills, there has been scarce rainfall for many months. Grey rock and dry, rugged earth spread off in every direction. But locals who met observers from the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel said the effects of the recent drought are exacerbating a man-made water crisis.
The Report just in ‘Moving Stories 125′ Highlights the situation, please read and pray for a just solution.Moving Stories 125
This week, an initiative of the World Council of Churches, brings together those who are concerned about the situation in Palestine and Israel. People are encouraged to pray, learn more about people’s lives and take action. Resources available at:
WWPPI leaflet with useful information on education and practical action
The Irish Liturgy, with stories from both sides of the divide
Kairos Palestine, a call to repentance, solidarity and action from Palestinian Christians
A Just and Green Future? Speaker Meeting at St Thomas More Parish (Knighton Rd/Southernhay Rd, Leicester, LE2 3HN )
Thursday 10th June at 7.30pm.
With Sally Ruane of The School of Applied Social Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester.
Catholics understand that stewardship of the earth is going to require some drastic changes in how we live but Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission member Dr. Sally Ruane examines whether it is possible to persuade the British public to adopt green policies if the burden falls more heavily on those least able to bear it.
For further details, please contact the Justice and Peace Office on 01332 293836 or nottinghamjp@yahoo.co.uk www.nottinghamjp.org
In February this year a decision was made to end Churches Together for Families. The remaining members of CTF agreed to transfer the remaining funds (approx £4000) to a special fund administered by Churches Together for England. Former members of CTF and any of their contacts are invited to apply for a small grant (up to £1000) to do a small piece of work at a local level that promotes engagement with families through ecumenical initiatives.
The administrators of the Fund hope this won’t be an onerous task to apply for. All they would like in return is a short report and evaluation on the work together with photographic material that can be circulated through CTE’s networks to encourage good practice with families.
Please do pass on the application form and guidelines to anyone in your networks who might benefit from this grant. Application forms are to be returned to Sue Burridge by 1st Sept 2010.
Just as a final note, if you wish to save any of the resources available on the CTF website now would be a good time to do so. The material will eventually be transferred to the CTE website but may not be so easy to find there! Visit http://www.churchesandfamilies.org/
An impressive range of election materials has now been put together by churches around the country.
The aim of all these materials is to help you make an informed decision between the candidates in your own constituency.
The last Churches Election Bulletin to be issued by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland before the General Election on May 6th is available
Here Churches Election Bulletin Issue 4
”Racism is a denial of the Gospel” Racist political parties are in conflict with the Church’s vision of a positive society that welcomes and encourages everyone regardless of race.
Read specialist guidance on how to engage with extremist political parties and ensure you take part in ensuring people accross the country stand up and on 6 May 2010.
Find out more from the Methodist Church briefing here
Compare the policies Party manifestos have been printed and politicians are out explaining how their party would help deliver a better world. Download our impartial election briefing, which sits alongside the ecumenical policy briefing, comparing manifesto pledges from the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties.
This is available on our Election Website at http://election2010.dioceseofleicester.com/?p=328
Domestic Abuse is a horrific atrocity that affects many, many, many people.
In the UK one in four women is a victim of domestic abuse and a woman is assaulted in her own home every 6 SECONDS.
Saturday 26th June 2010 is a day to do something about this.
This is the day Faith and Freedom is hosting the BRINGING HOPE CONFERENCE in Colchester, Essex.
It will be an amazing day with outstanding speakers including Elaine Storkey and Catherine Clark Kroeger, a brilliant theatre production and the launch of Restored, a groundbreaking new international Christian alliance working to end violence against women.
The conference will enable you and your organisation to more effectively understand and support those suffering domestic abuse and we would like to invite you and those involved in your organisation to come.
For more details and to book, please visit http://www.faithandfreedom.webs.com/conference.htm or download the flyer and poster.Bringing Hope Conference Flyer
There are more than 20 partner organisations supported by Christian Aid in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. In this report, Christian Aid highlight the work of one Palestinian organisation – the YMCA in Beit Sahour, and the work of one Israeli organisation – the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI).
Download Moving Stories 124
Also on Wednesday 2nd June, 11am – 3.30pm: URC Israel /Palestine Day in, London.This year we hope to be able hear voices from the Jewish and Muslim faith. To book a place please email gill.hillman@urc.org.uk.
A non-commercial Christian based community radio station celebrating the true meaning of Easter for Hinckley and the Villages
Organised by volunteers and funded primarily by Hinckley churches, Vine FM aims to explain the true meaning of Easter with a mix of Christian and contemporary music, a variety of shows featuring local people and recordings of community events. Tune in for the ever popular ‘More tea, Vicar’ , ‘Breakfast with Bamberger’ and ‘Drivetime’ with Ben Williams. New this year is ‘Dessert Island discs’ with John Moore and a variety of people from the local community. Inspired by the BBC classic created by Roy Plomley, but renamed because it is ‘after lunch’!!!
listen at vine fm on 87.7fm
On 11 February the Church of England General Synod debated the repair of church buildings and passed the following motion unanimously: that Synod welcomed the contribution made to church building repairs by the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, and call on HM Government to (i) substantially increase the amount of money available for the repair of listed church buildings; and (ii) give an early commitment to continuing beyond March 2011 the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. A letter is being sent to the Prime Minister accordingly.
You can help support this call by signing the Downing Street petition http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/VAT-refundscheme/ and / or visiting the CofE Churchcare website http://www.churchcare.co.uk/news.php where you will find a sample letter to send to your MP to encourage them to ask for an extension to the Listed Places of Worship Grants scheme.
Click on and complete
Pilgrims of St Francis are a small British Christian group part of Compagnons de Saint Francois. Which is active in 8 European countries. Though it is primarily Christian its activities are open to all people of goodwill. Many people both in the UK and on the continent have found on pilgrimage a deepening of their spiritual experience which on their return they have shared with their home community.
Our activities for 2010
1.The International Chapter
Soissons, in France May 22 – May 24 2010
2.National Chapter 2010
Is in Bristol for the weekend of May 1 (Saturday) – 3 (Monday) 2010. During the weekend we hope to continue our sharing together of this year’s theme – ‘Overcoming Fear’
3 The International Pilgrimage in The Netherlands 2010
Face the challenges, go into the unknown in the steps of Francis and Claire. Come and walk in peace, joy and companionship on our International Pilgrimage near Enschede in the Netherlands from 24 July 1 August (leaving at breakfast on 2nd) 2010
4.This year the National Pilgrimage will be from Shifnal to Worcester – August 21 – 28
Further details of all our activities including costs can be found on our website www.cdsf.org or send an e-mail to Ken Smith at quaint.macavity@waitrose.com
A Conference for All who care about the future of our Communities and the Places we will call Home in the EAST MIDLANDS
Monday 22nd March 10:30 – 3:30
YMCA Learning & Development Campus
770 London Road, Wilmorton, Derby, DE24 8UT
Cost: £10 to cover buffet lunch and refreshments
For Full details download the attached pdf – Built for Good 2010
This edition of Moving Stories gives reflections from three people’s viewpoints.
Zleikha, a fiercely independent and driven woman in Hebron, Al-Khalil speaking about the damage caused by the confiscation of water pipes and the trampling of his crops, and a reflection by Drew Herbert about the Gaza Freedom March on 31st December.
Out of all this comes through a message of people’s hopes for freedom.
Churches Together in Leicestershire are seeking to obtain a computer for their Treasurer whose old steam powered machine is losing the will to live!
Does anyone have a surplus PC that would help us out?
We need one capable of running Windows XP, Office and suitable for an accounts package, email, and web.
If you could offer such a PC please contact Peter Yates on 0116 248 7424 or Email Peter.Yates@LecCofE.org
St.Philips Centre are putting on a course for people of all faiths to develop their understanding of Christianity – Christianity For Beginners
Learning about Christianity for people of other faiths with:
Revd Canon Dr Andrew Wingate
Mrs Kathy Morrison
Mr Michael Tweed
On Wednesday 13th January: What is the Faith?
On Tuesday 26th January: What is the Church?
7.30 – 9.30 pm at St. Philip’s Centre 2A Stoughton Drive North, Leicester LE5 5UB
Commissioning Service.
On Wednesday January 27th 2010 there will be a Commissioning Service for Vic Allsop as the County Ecumenical Development Officer (CEDO) for Churches Together in Leicestershire.
This will take place at Christ Church LEP on Clarendon Park Road in Leicester. It’s appropriate that the service should take place at a Church in a Local Ecumenical Partnership between the Baptist and Methodist Churches.
The Service will start at 7:30pm. There is a car park to the side of the Church, but if full there is plenty of on street parking.
Vic would be delighted to see Friends and Colleagues from around the Diocese if they are able to come along.
Vic can be contacted on 01664 434 697 or by e-mailing vic-hoby@fsmail.net if they would like further information.
