News in Brief
Posted: 02 Nov 2006 @ 00:00
Noddy in Town
Fiona, left, and Caroline and Christina MacIntosh, right, flank Noddy
at the London Bridges Walk in aid of the Children’s Society, on Saturday.
Photo Michael Melia
‘More than 500’ gay couples blessed
THE Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM), said this week that
it was a conservative estimate that more than 500 gay couples had had blessing
ceremonies over the past year. A spokesman for the LGCM said that about 300 of
these couples were from the Anglican tradition, and half of that number had
services in Anglican churches. A spokesman for the Church of England said on
Tuesday that clergy were free “to pray for anyone in a private and pastoral
situation”. There is no authorised liturgy for blessing same-sex relationships.
New Principal for Evangelical college
THE NEW PRINCIPAL of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, is to be the Revd Dr Richard
Turnbull, Vicar of Christ Church, Chineham, Basingstoke, in Winchester diocese.
Dr Turnbull is a member of the Archbishops’ Council, and chairman of the
General Synod’s Business Committee.
St Paul’s Cathedral wins £1.8m grant
ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL received a grant of £1.8 million from the
Corporation of London and Bridge House Trust last week, to improve its
accessibility and education facilities. The grant is part of the Cathedral’s
300th-anniversary campaign.
Christian charity’s funds frozen
GILBERT DEYA MINISTRIES’ funds have been frozen by the Charity
Commission, which says that it has had no choice but to begin a formal inquiry
into allegations that the charity has been involved in international baby
trafficking (News, 3 September). The charity has churches in south London,
Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool and Manchester.
Bishop to lead youth organisation
THE BISHOP OF BIRMINGHAM, Dr John Sentamu, is to take over as
president of Youth for Christ at an event in Kidderminster on 9 October to
publicise the charity’s work. He succeeds the Rt Revd Gavin Reid.