Peace charity launches Myanmar appeal
THE people of Myanmar are “on the precipice of disaster”, the Bishop of Coventry, Dr Christopher Cocksworth, has warned, as the peace-building charity Cord, of which he is patron, launched three weeks of action — “March for Myanmar” — to support the country. People are invited to pray, post photos on social media, write to their MP, and respond to a fund-raising appeal. Dr Cocksworth said: “I pray for peace, for restraint, that the situation won’t spiral into violence and chaos” (News, 5 February). www.cord.org.uk
NST supports safeguarding project for children
NEW safeguarding resources and training have been developed by the Church of England specifically to educate children and young people about abuse. The project was the idea of Becca Faal, who is the diocesan safeguarding officer for Gloucester diocese. She explained: “Previous safeguarding training in the Church has been aimed solely at adults, but this doesn’t go far enough.” Her proposal was accepted by the National Safeguarding Team and funding was secured to create the resources, with input from 90 children across three dioceses. They are free to download through the C of E safeguarding portal.
safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org
Braybrookes win US interfaith award
THE annual Juliet Hollister Award, which is given by the United States interfaith organisation the Temple of Understanding, has been presented to Mary and the Revd Dr Marcus Braybrooke. Dr Braybrooke, a retired Church of England priest, is joint-president of the World Congress of Faiths, a former director of the Council of Christians and Jews, and a co-founder of the Faith and Belief Forum. Both he and his wife, Mary, a former social worker, have participated in several interfaith peace-initiatives, in Ireland, Israel, and elsewhere.
Join campaign against gambling ads, urges bishop
THE Bishop of St Albans, Dr Alan Smith, has backed a new campaign — Stopbettingads.com — that calls for a complete ban on gambling advertising in sport as part of the Government’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act. Dr Smith, who has long campaigned for such a ban, encouraged Christians across the country to support the campaign. One of the campaign’s co-founders, Andy Frost, director of Share Jesus International, said: “Gambling advertising presents betting as a bit of harmless fun, and yet lives are being destroyed and futures severed.”
Poems that celebrate key workers wanted
CLEAN FOR GOOD, described as a Christian ethical cleaning business, has launched a national poetry competition, Poetry for Good, to celebrate key workers. Submissions will be judged by the poets Rachel Long, Katherine Lockton, and Cecilia Knapp. The deadline for entries is 9 April in three categories: Written Word — written poems from those aged 16 or more; Spoken Word — spoken poetry from those aged 16 or more; and Growing Word — written poems for those aged 11-15. Clean for Good is majority-owned by the parish of St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe, London; the Centre for Theology and Community; and the Church Mission Society.
poetryforgood.org.uk
Events planners ask for patience and help
ORGANISERS of Christian festivals and events across the UK have signed an open letter calling for support and donations to continue the “legacy” of these events post-pandemic. The letter, co-ordinated by the organisers of Spring Harvest and New Wine, asks Christians to “stand with us financially, and to support us in any way you can — so that we are all here to gather again in 2022”. The letter eschews competition between the organisers.
Ozanne quits government panel
THE gay-rights campaigner Jayne Ozanne, a member of the General Synod, has resigned from the Government’s LGBT+ advisory panel, saying that ministers had created a “hostile environment”. Ms Ozanne told ITV News of her frustration at the Government’s reluctance to commit itself to any sort of timetable to outlaw conversion therapy, despite a pledge to ban it.