MINISTRY
NEWS ITEMS
25/03/09 13:07
Diamond Jubilee prayer for Queen is released
The Church of England has created a prayer which gives thanks to the Queen for her 'devoted service' over the past 60 years. The Diamond Jubilee Prayer was written under her direction by the Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral. It will be used at the official Jubilee Thanksgiving Service at the Cathedral in June, as well as other events marking the Jubilee during the year. ( Daily Mail, 1/2)
Atheists should keep the faith
The philosopher, Alain de Botton, has said that religion does have much to offer. In his new book Religion for Atheists, he argues that 'from the arts to travel and learning, religion has much to offer whether you '‘believe’' or not’. De Botton, who was brought up as an atheist, also writes that he feels an affinity for religiously inspired architecture - particularly old churches. (The Times, 30/1)
David Attenborough refuses to rule out God
Speaking on Desert Island Discs, David Attenborough, said that there may be a God and that this would not be 'inconsistent' with the theory of evolution. The 85-year-old broadcaster and naturalist told Kirsty Young: 'I don’t think that an understanding and an acceptance of the 4 billion-year-long history of life is in any way inconsistent with a belief of a supreme being. I am not so confident as to say that I am an atheist. I would prefer to say I am an agnostic.’ ( Daily Mail, 30/1)
The race is on to find pastors for the Olympics
More Than Gold, has announced that is looking for 800 'Games Pastors' to 'demonstrate the love of Christ' during this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games in the UK. The agency said that Games Pastors would be 'deployed at main transport hubs and where large crowds gather' and respond to the practical and spiritual needs of around 800,000 people. (, Church Times, 3/2)
Credit card-sized 'Faith cards' to be given to Catholics
One million 'faith cards' are to be distributed by the Catholic Church in England and Wales to every parish in the country. Bishop Kieran Conry, Chairman of the Bishops’ Department for Evangelization and Catechesis said: 'The faith card for Catholics aims to offer a daily reminder of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. We can’t summarize the whole of our faith in bullet points, but we hope that the card simply inspires people to do, read and learn more'. (Catholic News Agency, 3/2)
Spurs manager claims he would not lie after swearing on the Bible
Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp, has told Southwark Crown Court that although he lied to a reporter, he would nevert lie in court. Redknapp, who is on trial for tax evasion, told the prosecuting barrister: ‘You think I put my hand on the Bible and told lies? That’s an insult, Mr Black, that’s an insult.' (The Independent, 3/2)
Kim Kardashian wants to start Bible study group
She may be most well know as a reality TV star and savvy business woman but Kim Kardshian also wants to share the Bible with others. She said on her Twitter page: 'On my way to church with the girls! I want to start a Bible study group with my friends!' Comedian Ricky Gervais said of her decision to start a Bible study group: 'It's a book. That's a start.' (Read more, Heatworld, 30/1)
Bible Society's Ann Holt argues that there should be a Bible in every school
Canon Dr Ann Holt has argued that the government's decision to give a Bible to every school is the right one. Speaking on BBC Sunday Sequence, Dr Holt said: 'What I agree with is the government actually making its own contribution to what has been a highly celebratory year of the anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible'. (Listen here)
Read More...
The Church of England has created a prayer which gives thanks to the Queen for her 'devoted service' over the past 60 years. The Diamond Jubilee Prayer was written under her direction by the Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral. It will be used at the official Jubilee Thanksgiving Service at the Cathedral in June, as well as other events marking the Jubilee during the year. ( Daily Mail, 1/2)
Atheists should keep the faith
The philosopher, Alain de Botton, has said that religion does have much to offer. In his new book Religion for Atheists, he argues that 'from the arts to travel and learning, religion has much to offer whether you '‘believe’' or not’. De Botton, who was brought up as an atheist, also writes that he feels an affinity for religiously inspired architecture - particularly old churches. (The Times, 30/1)
David Attenborough refuses to rule out God
Speaking on Desert Island Discs, David Attenborough, said that there may be a God and that this would not be 'inconsistent' with the theory of evolution. The 85-year-old broadcaster and naturalist told Kirsty Young: 'I don’t think that an understanding and an acceptance of the 4 billion-year-long history of life is in any way inconsistent with a belief of a supreme being. I am not so confident as to say that I am an atheist. I would prefer to say I am an agnostic.’ ( Daily Mail, 30/1)
The race is on to find pastors for the Olympics
More Than Gold, has announced that is looking for 800 'Games Pastors' to 'demonstrate the love of Christ' during this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games in the UK. The agency said that Games Pastors would be 'deployed at main transport hubs and where large crowds gather' and respond to the practical and spiritual needs of around 800,000 people. (, Church Times, 3/2)
Credit card-sized 'Faith cards' to be given to Catholics
One million 'faith cards' are to be distributed by the Catholic Church in England and Wales to every parish in the country. Bishop Kieran Conry, Chairman of the Bishops’ Department for Evangelization and Catechesis said: 'The faith card for Catholics aims to offer a daily reminder of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. We can’t summarize the whole of our faith in bullet points, but we hope that the card simply inspires people to do, read and learn more'. (Catholic News Agency, 3/2)
Spurs manager claims he would not lie after swearing on the Bible
Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp, has told Southwark Crown Court that although he lied to a reporter, he would nevert lie in court. Redknapp, who is on trial for tax evasion, told the prosecuting barrister: ‘You think I put my hand on the Bible and told lies? That’s an insult, Mr Black, that’s an insult.' (The Independent, 3/2)
Kim Kardashian wants to start Bible study group
She may be most well know as a reality TV star and savvy business woman but Kim Kardshian also wants to share the Bible with others. She said on her Twitter page: 'On my way to church with the girls! I want to start a Bible study group with my friends!' Comedian Ricky Gervais said of her decision to start a Bible study group: 'It's a book. That's a start.' (Read more, Heatworld, 30/1)
Bible Society's Ann Holt argues that there should be a Bible in every school
Canon Dr Ann Holt has argued that the government's decision to give a Bible to every school is the right one. Speaking on BBC Sunday Sequence, Dr Holt said: 'What I agree with is the government actually making its own contribution to what has been a highly celebratory year of the anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible'. (Listen here)
Read More...