Christian Ministries

A new digitally remastered version of Chariots of Fire is being re-released in the cinemas in July and Damaris Trust is creating official resources to help churches make the most of this national cinematic treasure.

The 1981 hit movie tells the inspiring true story of Eric Liddell, Harold Abrahams and the Olympic team of 1924, who brought Britain one of its greatest sporting victories.

Liddell was driven by his faith and famously refused to race on a Sunday. After his Olympic win, Liddell abandoned the world of athletics to become a missionary in China, where he would die two decades later in a Japanese internment camp.

Chariots of Fire won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

It will be back in cinema screens from 13 July as an official part of the London 2012 celebrations.

Krish Kandiah, mission director at the Evangelical Alliance, said the film was a “brilliant opportunity to show that the good news of Jesus gives a reason to live beyond earthly success”.

The resources include the Chariots of Fire Taster, a one-minute introduction to some of the key themes in the movie, and Tools for Talks – free access illustrations using clips from the film to enable church leaders and others to speak about each of the three issues in their sermons and talks.

There are also resources for schools. Two free-access assemblies and an RE lesson for secondary school students also use clips to explore life issues raised by the film.

Special videos will look at what happened to Liddell after the Olympics and explore the themes of passion and trust.

On the web: www.damaris.org/chariots

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Bonhams is to auction a cache of Graham Sutherland’s papers in which he talks about the process of designing and manufacturing his world famous tapestry, Christ in Glory.

The tapestry hangs over the high altar. It took 10 years to make and was woven by Piton Frères at Felletin in the Limousin region of central France.

The weaving process was not without its difficulties as Frères could never see more than 1ft in height of the tapestry at any one time during its creation.

Even once the tapestry had been completed, the difficulties continued as cathedral authorities refused Sutherland permission to hang the tapestry before it left France in order to make any last minute adjustments.

The letters convey Sutherland’s problems with the cathedral authorities and its Reconstruction Committee as the project neared completion.

According to Sutherland, the French Culture Minister, novelist André Malraux, offered to hang the tapestry for him in the Sainte Chapelle in Paris in return for limited public access but the Committee refused the offer.

Sutherland expresses his disappointment over the situation in one letter: “As I have made several ‘redification’ while the weaving has been going on this is a blow to me.

“It seems that no time has been arranged or allowed for the work to be hung and there were difficulties, too, in finding a building large enough in which to hang it.”

The original medieval Coventry Cathedral was destroyed during a Luftwaffe attack on the city in 1940.

The construction of a new cathedral alongside the ruins of the old was intended to be a symbol of reconciliation.

In addition to Sutherland’s tapestry, the new cathedral premiered Benjamin Britten’s specially commissioned work, War Requiem, in which the German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau joined the British tenor Peter Pears in the leading roles.

The auction of Sutherland’s papers at Bonhams takes place on 12 June, just a few weeks after the 50th anniversary of the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral on 25 May.

The papers are estimated at £1,500 to £2,000.

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A dating site has begun a major in-depth survey into Christian singles in an effort to understand their experiences within the church.

Christian Connection has already had responses from more than a thousand Christians in the week since the survey was launched.

The questions explore issues such as whether Christian singles feel accepted in church, how being single has impacted their faith, and how helpful they have found church advice on relationships and issues of singleness.

“Single people in churches of all traditions want – and need – to share their experiences,” said Christian Connection founder Jackie Elton.

“We hope churches will understand and learn from the findings. Single people often feel marginalised in churches which concentrate on the needs of families.

“However, as the number of single people grows in society, it is more important than ever that churches identify ways to make them feel welcome and and fully included.

“Single Christians have already shared experiences and stories – positive and negative – of attending church. We would ask and encourage people to let their single friends know about the survey and encourage them to complete it.”

She added: “Armed with this important information we hope to work with other groups to bring about positive and practical change and development within churches, as well as helping single Christians find a voice.”

The survey, which can be completed by going to www.christianconnection.co.uk/survey closes at the end of June.

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Refugee pastors are asking Christians in the UK to pray for peace between Sudan and South Sudan.

The pastors were forced to flee their homes and walk for days to reach the safety of refugee camps.

Abraham Rehan, pastor of a Sudan Interior Church (SIC), said: “It took us nine days to get here and we felt so bad having to leave all our things behind.”

More than 20 SIC churches have had to close their doors and flee to the refugee camps. They make up some of the 120,000 people who have now fled the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile state, where a humanitarian crisis looms.

Despite the upheaval, Christians in the camps continue to meet for worship and study under the shade of trees.

The pastors meet regularly to pray and discuss how they can best respond to the practical and spiritual needs of the thousands of refugees in the camps.

The thousands arriving at the camps are in need of water, shelter, healthcare and food. Samaritan’s Purse has been helping in the camps since they were established.

The charity is helping to feed 90,000 refugees in the Doro and Jamam refugee camps in Mbane State. Its teams are working up to 12 hours at a time to distribute maize and sorghum, beans and oil.

The only hospital in the Doro region is being overseen by a Samaritan’s Purse doctor. The hospital is providing surgery to wounded soldiers and civilians, while an outpatient clinic is treating malaria. There is also a stabilisation centre for people suffering from acute malnutrition.

One 18-month-old was brought to the centre by her mother just over a week ago, suffering from malaria and pneumonia. She was lethargic and unable to eat or drink anything. After receiving treatment, she gained weight and was discharged.

Health and nutrition coordinator Kelly Now said: “One of the most rewarding things is when we see change.”

At the Yida refugee camp, home to around 30,000 refugees, Samaritan’s Purse is operating water pumps.

In the Nuba Mountains, the charity is running a child protection centre for unaccompanied girls. More than 500 girls are receiving food, shelter and water at the centre.

Child protection officer Gaby Ovington said many of the girls had to flee their boarding school because of bombardments.

“We’re also teaching them christ at christian ministriesian life skills and providing counselling to help them deal with the trauma they’ve been through,” she said.

Asked how Christians in the UK could pray for people in Sudan and South Sudan, Pastor Rehan said: “We need prayer for peace here, so we can go back home. Please also pray that our communities will hold strongly onto faith in Christ and pray for so many people who are sick.”

Samaritan’s Purse UK Executive Director Simon Barrington said: “My heart has been broken by being here and I know that God’s heart is broken too. We need to act now so that these people will get the food, shelter, water and healthcare that they need and to advocate for peace in the region so that people can return home. So please pray for these pastors and our teams here in your Church this Sunday as they continue to meet both these vital practical as well as spiritual needs.”

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Memorial services are being held in Hertfordshire today to mark the 10th anniversary of the Potters Bar rail crash.

Seven people died when the fourth carriage of the London to Kings Lynn train came off the track and became wedged under the canopy at Potters Bar station.

The crash was blamed on a faulty set of points and Network Rail was last year fined £3 million after it admitted breaching health and safety regulations.

Six of the victims were passengers. The seventh, 80-year-old Agnes Quinlivan, was killed by falling debris as she walked near the station.

Friends and relatives of the victims are among those attending the services.

The first takes place at a memorial garden close to the scene of the crash and includes the laying of flowers and a minute’s silence at 12:56pm – the time the train derailed.

This will be followed by a second service at Our Lady and St Vincent church in Potters Bar.

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Tony Campolo has told British Baptists that they are “not giving enough”.

The popular evangelical Baptist and sociologist made the comments during an address to the Baptist Union of Great Britain at its General Assembly in London.

Mr Campolo said he could not believe that BMS World Mission – the Baptist mission agency – was struggling for funds.

“What could be more important than giving to mission? … You’re not giving enough,” he said.

He warned that Christians needed to be more giving not only in their finances but also in their lives.

“We are willing to be Christian up to a point. I’m calling you to go beyond that point and meet the needs of others.

“If you’re not willing to do that, you’re going to let this Baptist movement die.”

He went on to say that Jesus does not ask for believers but for disciples.

“A disciple is willing to do what the master tells them to do,” he said.

Mr Campolo encouraged Baptists not to be “despondent” in post-Christendom Britain and share their faith with others.

“Don’t tell me you’re not able to be a witness,” he said. “God can use you in spite of your shortcomings.”

As the Church of England remains divided over women in the episcopate, Mr Campolo took a swipe at opposition to women in ministry in other denominations.

“We’re with the women in ministry because we believe it’s biblical.”

He also had something to say about homosexuality, saying that while his personal conviction was conservative, the church had to be loving to all people.

“We Baptists are awakening to the fact that we have not treated our LGBT friends as Jesus would have us,” he said.

“If you don’t love those who are the outcasts of society you are not a true Christian.”

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A specially produced Diamond Jubilee New Testament has become a runaway success.

More than 400,000 copies have flown off the shelves since going on sale at the start of April.

The special editions were produced by the Church of England, HOPE and Biblica as a souvenir to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

They were created for churches to give away for free at schools, street parties and Diamond Jubilee events.

Dr Rachel Jordan, National Mission and Evangelism Adviser, Archbishops’ Council, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the response from local churches with a heart to give the New Testament away to those in their local communities.

“Many homes that don’t have a copy of the key Christian stories about Jesus Christ will now be given this wonderful gift so they can read and think about the Christian faith for themselves.”

Orders have come in from churches of all denominations and even from outside the UK, with sales reaching double what was expected.

The special editions had been published on a limited run, but due to the huge demand, the deadline for ordering has now been extended to noon on 14 May.

The New Testaments feature eight pages of images from the Coronation and the Queen’s life, linking her 60-year reign and her Christian faith. There is a suggested reading section with Bible references on various topics and a clear guide to help readers understand the significance of Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection.

The text is the British New International Version 2011, which has been ‘donated’ by Biblica.

Mark Finnie, Church and Bible Engagement Director, Biblica, said: “Our passion is to distribute Bibles and New Testaments in creative and culturally engaging ways.

“We are delighted to be working with HOPE and the Archbishops’ Council to provide churches, schools and organisations with the Diamond Jubilee New Testament, in what is possibly the largest single distribution of scriptures within our country in living memory.”

Roy Crowne, Executive Director of the national mission movement HOPE, said: “We are thrilled with the response so far. We are making this souvenir New Testament available at cost price – so that churches can give them away as a lasting reminder of the Queen’s 60 years of faithful service to the country and Commonwealth.

“We hope that many more churches will use this opportunity to give this special gift to people in their communities as they celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.”

Copies can be ordered via email from lynn.robinson@biblica.com or by calling 028 9073 5875

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Bible Society has released a new version of the New Testament geared towards people who do not read the Bible or find traditional translations hard to access.

It describes the Who? version as the New Testament “in a different voice”.

Despite being the world’s best-selling book, few people in this country read the Bible today.

Bible Society has reworked the New Testament to help provide an answer to the question ‘who is Jesus?’.

The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) are run together into one story and John’s gospel is put at the end of the book to give the full sweep of the story.

It is the first time ever that the Bible Society has produced a non-literal translation of the New Testament.

Bible Society hopes the new version will encourage people who have never made it past the front cover of a New Testament, as well as those who have but find themselves “stuck”.

Author Paul Langham, vicar of Christ Church Clifton in Bristol said: “This book is for people who don’t read the Bible. I have tried to imagine how the New Testament authors might have written had they been alive today.”

Commissioning Editor Carolyn Armitage said: “It’s one thing to have a Bible, but quite another to read it and get the picture. This project is about why people might not find it straightforward to read the Bible and what might nudge them to give it a first – or another – try.

“From Bible Society’s point of view it is about providing tools for Bible engagement – which is really about encountering God. It’s an exciting project.”

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Some 2,700 young people from churches across London have signed up to be community volunteers during the Olympics.

The number far exceeds the target of 2,000 young volunteers during the Games.

Members of “the2012″ collective were formally commissioned by the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, at St Paul’s Cathedral this week.

The2012 volunteers will now be enrolled to help with Olympic initiatives being planned by local churches and community groups across London.

These range from distributing water to spectators during the cycle race to operating a community cafe in East London for local people to watch the Games in company.

As the service came to a close, a blizzard of confetti was released from the iconic whispering gallery at St Paul’s as the Bishop of London led the newly commissioned ambassadors through the Cathedral’s Great West Door.

The service at St Paul’s also saw the launch of the2012 messaging, which will use social networks and SMS messages to set a challenge for the volunteers each day, as a ‘dispersed flash-mob’ aiming to be a force for good in every postcode in London.

The volunteers have been receiving training in preparation for outreach over the past seven months.

Wednesday’s service marked the official beginning of service for the2012.

Prayers at the service were led by Pete Greig, founder of 24/7 prayer, who is helping to coordinate 70 days of prayer through 1,000 communities across the UK with the Olympic Torch Relay, starting in Lands End on Saturday 19 May.

He said: “It’s thrilling to see thousands of young people galvanised by the Olympics, catalysed by their faith and mobilised to make a difference in our communities this year.

“With so many negative headlines about looting and knife-crime, hoodies and youth unemployment, the2012 initiative celebrates the fact that most young people in our capital are fundamentally good and that Christian faith is as relevant as ever. I’m delighted to be involved.”

The service was joined by wheelchair racer Anne Wafula Strike, who is a GB Paralympic World Cup team member and in the running for Team GB.

“As a Paralympian, I am full of admiration for everyone who is giving up their time, energy and dedication to volunteer to support others during 2012 Paralympic and Olympic Games in London,” she said.

“Each one of the commissioned ambassadors with be rewarded spiritually and they deserve a gold medal of their own.”

The volunteers are aged 13 to 35 and come from 300 churches across the capital.

Lidija Mavra, a volunteer from Bow Common, is the co-founder of a social enterprise that coaches homeless people to give walking tours, providing them with an income and allowing them to share their unique perspectives on the capital’s culture and history. Unseen Tours will be running during the summer Games.

She said: “I feel really privileged to be part of the 2012 service at St Paul’s – it’s a wonderful way of bringing young Christians together from all across London to reflect upon and share ideas on how we can make London a better place in 2012.”

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The Archbishop of York has addressed 50 headteachers from schools and academies across northern England on the importance of religious education.

Meeting the headteachers today at his official residence, Bishopthorpe Palace, Dr John Sentamu challenged Education Secretary Michael Gove’s decision to leave RE off the English Baccalaureate.

“Religious knowledge forms and creates a culture,” he said.

“Whatever we might think of Michael Gove, in this country, religion and practice will never be on the sidelines.

“It is a surely a mistake, to turn education into a box ticking exercise focused on exam success and the supply of skilled workers to industry and commerce. Education is good for its own sake.”

He added: “Trying to side-line Jesus Christ is like trying to disguise the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral with a bobble hat. It is not possible.”

RE was left out of the English Baccalaureate despite concerns over the subject’s future from church leaders and a nationwide petition signed by more than a hundred thousand people calling for its inclusion.

The decision was strongly criticised in a Church of England report last month, which warned of “multiple challenges” to the subject across the school system.

The Church School of the Future report stated that the exclusion of any consideration of the subject from the current revision of the national curriculum was “likely to have a damaging effect on the status of the subject despite the retention of the statutory requirement”.

It noted, however, that the Government appeared to have “no will” to address the challenges facing RE.

“While the Church of England has received some encouragement to work together with other

partners to address some of the issues related to religious education, the responses of the

Government to these concerns have been disappointing,” it said.

“Realistically, the Church is limited in its ability to influence practice in the classroom even in its own schools. It does, however, have a voice and will continue to press for recognition of the damage being done to religious education.”

It adds: “High quality religious education and collective worship should continue to make major contributions to the Church school’s Christian ethos.”

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