Lent campaign inspires kind acts
A CHALLENGE for Christians to do one generous thing each day in
Lent has led to almost three million acts of kindness, the
organisers say. The giving charity Stewardship, which started the
campaign, said that 75,000 people took part in the 40acts challenge
this year - cleaning off graffiti, writing to prisoners, surprising
friends with flowers, and leaving chocolate in gym lockers, among
other things.
Investigation into indecent assault dropped
POLICE in Hampshire have dropped an investigation into a priest,
Canon Simon Sayers, who was accused of committing an indecent
assault in Islington in the 1990s (News, 30 January). Canon Sayers, the
Rector of St James's, Emsworth, and St Thomas à Becket,
Warblington, has been told that he will not face any charges. His
suspension, announced after he was arrested in January, has not yet
been lifted, while the diocese of Portsmouth completes its own
investigation.
NHS worker loses disciplinary case
A CHRISTIAN therapist has lost her employment-tribunal case
against her employer, after she was suspended for nine months for
discussing her faith with a Muslim colleague. Victoria Wasteney, an
occupational therapist at East London NHS Foundation Trust, was
accused in February last year of "bullying and harassing" her
colleague by praying with her, lending her a book about a Muslim
who converted, and inviting her to church (News, 23
January). She appealed against the finding of an internal
disciplinary panel, but the employment tribunal has found that the
Trust was justified in disciplining her.
Christian counsellors formally recognised
A REGISTER of Christian counsellors has been accredited by the
Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. It
means that counsellors and psychotherapists registered with the
Association of Christian Counsellors have been formally recognised
as meeting national standards. The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd
Mike Hill, said that the recognition was "well deserved" for
Christians who were putting their "faith into action".
Bishop joins banking-standards body
THE Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart, has
accepted an invitation to join a new body set up to improve
standards in the banking industry. Announcing the line-up on
Thursday of last week, Dame Colette Bowe, who chairs the body,
said: "Banks recognise the urgent need to raise their game and
build the necessasry momentum for change. It won't happen
overnight, and it will be an uncomfortable journey, but the time
has come to win back trust."
One World Week appeals for volunteers
ONE WORLD WEEK is seeking volunteers and a national volunteer
co-ordinator as it makes a transition to becoming a "virtual
organisation" (News, 14 November). The annual Week,
started 36 years ago, encourages organisations to hold "local
events on global issues". Funded by CAFOD, schools, churches,
trusts, and individuals, it is supported by numerous agencies,
including Christian Aid and Oxfam. The office will close at the end
of April, and the charity will operate through its website. For
more information, email oww@oneworldweek.org