News

• News (all) for April 2020

  Guidance for parishes on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Church of England sets 2030 Net Zero carbon target Archbishop of Canterbury pays tribute to the Archbishop of York Church minister was inspiration behind ‘Great Escape’ Church of England backs sports ministry  Competitions launched for church projects tackling housing crisis Legal aid an ‘essential service’ – Synod votes General... (2234 words)

• Guidance for parishes on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  The Church of England’s Mission and Public Affairs division has published advice to parishes on practical steps to reduce the risk of infection from Coronavirus (COVID-19). The guidance, written by Dr Brendan McCarthy, the Church of England’s Adviser on health issues, draws on the latest Government advice. It is available on a dedicated web page which... (237 words)

• Church of England sets 2030 Net Zero carbon target

  The Church of England’s General Synod has now set new targets for all parts of the church to work to become carbon ‘net zero’ by 2030. The original target was 2045. At its February 2020 meeting, members voted in favour of a revised date encouraging all parts of the Church of England to take action and... (159 words)

• Archbishop of Canterbury pays tribute to the Archbishop of York

  The Archbishop of Canterbury has paid tribute to the Archbishop of York in General Synod  at what would have been his final Synod. Archbishop Justin Welby praised the Archbishop of York who is currently travelling in the Pacific.  He said: “He (John Sentamu) has gone to visit parts of the world which are suffering the... (184 words)

• Church minister was inspiration behind ‘Great Escape’

  A Church of Scotland minister nicknamed ‘Padre Mac’ has been named as the inspiration behind the Great Escape. The Revd Professor Murdo Ewen Macdonald’s “fiery sermons” motivated the famous breakout of a German Prisoner of War camp in March 1944, according to an author. Dr Linda Barker said the Great Escape is often heralded as... (286 words)

• Church of England backs sports ministry 

  Sports and fitness activities are to be championed as part of plans by the Church of England to reach more people with the message of the Christian faith and promote the wellbeing of communities. Seven dioceses across the country in areas such as Birmingham, Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire, Norfolk and Surrey, are to take part in... (268 words)

• Competitions launched for church projects tackling housing crisis

  Two competitions aimed at helping local churches to support people in housing need – from advocacy and advice for vulnerable tenants to ‘micro-housing’ schemes on church land – have been launched by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on Housing, Church and Community. The Project Lab competition, run in partnership with the Cinnamon Network, will identify... (202 words)

• Legal aid an ‘essential service’ – Synod votes

  Changes to the legal aid system have left some of the most vulnerable groups in society without access to the justice system, the General Synod was recently told. Members voted to back a motion recognising legal aid as an ‘essential public service’ that needs to be preserved ‘for the benefit of the nation.’ The Synod... (187 words)

• General Synod calls on Government to act over ‘pauper’ funerals

  The General Synod has called on the Government to end the ‘cruel’ experience of so-called ‘pauper’ funerals , after hearing of the plight of those unable to afford funeral costs. Members voted to back a call for the Government to oversee the development of basic standards for public health funerals, run by local authorities. Sam... (209 words)

• Politicians urged to put “differences aside” to reduce drug deaths

  Scottish and UK government ministers have been urged to put their political differences aside and work together to reduce drug deaths. The Revd Brian Casey of Springburn Parish Church in Glasgow said the status quo is no longer tenable because fatalities in Scotland are at a record high and bold action is needed to tackle... (167 words)

• Church invests £5m in new projects for growth

  Two ambitious projects to boost church growth in Wales have secured grants of nearly £5m between them. New centres of mission in St Davids Diocese and outreach to young people in Llandaff Diocese are at the heart of the latest projects to win grants from the Church in Wales’ Evangelism Fund. The Evangelism Fund was set up in 2018 to help engage people... (174 words)

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