God no longer male, Scottish Episcopal Church rules
A new form of worship, removing words such as ‘Lord, he, his, him’ and ‘mankind’ from services, has been written by the church in an attempt to acknowledge that God is ‘beyond human gender’. Episcopalian bishops have approved the introduction of more ‘inclusive’ language, which deliberately removes references suggesting that God is of male gender. The controversial changes were discussed at the Church's General Synod recently. The minutes of the Synod reveal that female priests had asked why God was still referred to as a man. ‘It is political correctness,’ said Rev Stuart Hall of the Scottish Prayer Book Society. ‘It is quite unnecessary. The word man in English - especially among scientists - is inclusive of both sexes. Those who try to minimise references to God as the Father and Christ as his Son have great difficulties, because the New Testament is shot through with these references.’ Pray: that the import of God’s Word is not minimised by shallow linguistic arguments. (Jn.1:1)
Jealousies ‘ruining’ Welsh nonconformism
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Wales made a desperate plea on 7 September to nonconformist Christians in Wales. Addressing the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Wales in Lampeter, Rev Gwenda Richards said that selfishness has resulted in jealousy and strife among Welsh Christians and churches. ‘The great tragedy of Nonconformism in Wales is the unhealthy competitive approach that has thrived between denominations, between churches and even between members. Since the beginning of last century we’ve lived off competition – and I daresay that jealousy and stubbornness arising out of competition will be the death of us. Nonconformists need to find their unity in God.’ The Presbyterian Church of Wales has around 30,000 members in more than 700 churches. Its General Assembly is currently meeting at Trinity Saint David University, Lampeter. Pray: that a united vision may be granted to the Church in Wales. (Ge.11:9)
Sex shop opposed by locals
Hundreds of people turned out at a public meeting against plans for a sex shop near a small English village. Sex shop company Cocktails Limited wants to open a store close to Sawtry, which has a population of just 6,000. Local MP Shailesh Vara gave his support to locals who say a sex shop would ‘cast a shadow’ over Sawtry. Ward Councillor Darren Tysoe, who chaired the public meeting, said a ‘unanimous and strong message’ had been delivered that ‘we don’t want a sex shop in Sawtry’. The sex shop is planned for a former Little Chef building just off the A1. Keith Walters, a former councillor, said: ‘Sawtry is a quiet, rural, family-friendly village. ‘It’s not big enough to have a bank or building society and can’t have cable TV. But apparently, someone can impose a branch of the largest sex shops in Europe against our will.’ Pray: for the District Council to heed and respond positively to the views of the local people of Sawtry. (Ep.5:3) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/sex-shop-close-to-village-opposed-by-locals/
EU: Iran stoning case
The European Union presidency has said that Iran's suspension of a stoning sentence against a woman convicted of adultery is not enough and demands it be completely overturned. Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere of Belgium, who holds the EU's rotating presidency, said that Iran's concession that the punishment against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani could be eased did not meet the human rights conditions the EU is insisting on. He said the Belgian presidency would work hard ‘to achieve that the punishment will be unequivocally repealed’. This week, several European Union nations and the continent's biggest human rights organization have criticised Iran for its plan to stone the 43-year-old mother of two even if Teheran has put the plan on hold for now. Pray: that the inhumanity of Iran’s sentencing policies be overturned by prayer and politics. (Ps.2:1-3) More: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/09/09/world/AP-Iran-Stoning.html?_r=1&ref=europe
