News Inauguration
of Eighth General Synod Inauguration
of Eighth General Synod Her
Majesty The Queen inaugurated the Eighth General Synod of
the Church of England in Church House, Quarterly
investment update from the Church Commissioners Church
rejects assisted dying move The
Church has rejected latest moves to bring in legislation
related to assisted dying, stating that it would put
vulnerable people at risk and endanger palliative care
services across the Responding
to news that Lord Joffe had introduced his third Assisted
Dying Bill into Parliament, the Rt Reverend Christopher
Herbert, Bishop of St Albans, said: "This issue is
literally life-threatening for society: it would endanger
the lives of sick and vulnerable people." Launch
of Memorial Grant Scheme The
Church of England and the Churches Main Committee have
warmly welcomed the launch of the Government's Memorial
Grant Scheme. The Scheme will return, in grant aid, the
amount of VAT incurred on the construction, renovation
and maintenance of eligible memorials. New
workbook for rural churches Seeds
in Holy Ground, compiled by National Rural Officer Jill
Hopkinson and the Rural Affairs Committee of General
Synod, is a new workbook aimed at all those interested in
the distinct challenges of rural ministry. Covering over
a dozen key topics, this practical book offers a stimulus
to group discussion and prayer on different options open
to churches in the countryside planning how to engage in
mission. Full of real life case studies, the full colour
publication points to the success of rural churches that
try and do a few things very well rather than attempt to
accomplish everything. The
books cost £3.99 each. Details: Jill Hopkinson, National
Rural Officer, The Arthur Rank Centre, New
era for Church schools welcomed Canon
John Hall, Chief Education Officer, welcomed the
Government's invitation to the Church which accompanied
the recent publication of a white paper on Schools. The
paper proposes the creation of a new category of schools
supported by trusts, which the Church may seek to
establish at a diocesan level. Many current
community or foundation schools could move into the
proposed Trust category under the proposals. Bishops'
response to Registrars on spiritual content of civil
weddings Songs
such as Robbie Williams' Angels - alongside other music
and poetry with a spiritual element - do not turn a civil
marriage ceremony into a religious service, the House of
Bishops has decided. The Bishops' response to a
consultation document from the General Register Office
suggested that such material could be included in a civil
ceremony if the couple wishes. Archbishop
Rowan and Hyacinth Bucket team up for Lent 2006 York
Courses have gathered an inspirational team for their
Lent Course 2006, entitled 'Where is God…?'.
Participants on the CD/audio tape include Archbishop
Rowan Williams, Joel Edwards (General Director of the
Evangelical Alliance), actress Patricia Routledge, Dr
Pauline Webb and Lord David Hope. The accompanying
booklet is written by Canon John Young. Further details
at www.yorkcourses.co.uk or from York Courses, Abortion
law for under-age girls only encourages secrecy, says
CAREconfidential Pregnancy
crisis service CAREconfidential has expressed concern
over government guidelines that allow an under-age girl
to have an abortion without her parents' knowledge. CAREconfidential,
which networks 160 independent pregnancy care centres and
runs a freephone helpline (0800 028 2228), would like to
see the government guidelines changed. Joanna
Thompson, head of CAREconfidential said: 'The current
guidelines on under-age abortions only succeed in
undermining parental responsibility. "Whatever
a young girl chooses, she needs to have the support of
those closest to her. Taking a course of action that
encourages a secret cuts her off from any of this support.
All teenagers have secrets, but this kind of secret is
not good. To hide something so big can lead to a
breakdown in the relationship between parent and child." The
guidelines issued by the Department of Health last year
say that a health professional can provide advice and
treatment to a young person under 16 'without parental
knowledge of consent' provided that the child understands
the advice and the treatment is in their best interests. |