Sorted: The UK's only Christian magazine for men. The magazine Christian men should never be without

Sorted: The UK's only Christian magazine for men. The magazine Christian men should never be without http://www.sorted-magazine.com News for Sorted: The UK's only Christian magazine for men. The magazine Christian men should never be without en-gb Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:22:04 +0000 Copyright: (C) Andy Ashdown Design 15 British evangelist says there must be More To Life 3886 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:22:04 +0000 Pioneering English evangelist Reverend Dennis Pethers, while short in stature and softly spoken, has a huge vision to mobilize Christians to share their faith across the globe, through the More To Life resources, a feature of which is a faith stories DVD that has already sold 100,000 copies in the UK alone.   As International Director of More to Life, Dennis speaks at Church Leaders Conferences, and a variety of other events all around the world. He works in close partnership with <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/" target="_blank">LifeWay Christian Resources</a> in the US and with numerous networks of leaders in many parts of the world.   Pethers, grew up in the East End of London and for the early part of his life knew nothing of church, Jesus or the Christian faith. He discovered the amazing truth about Jesus whilst reading ‘Mere Christianity’, by C S Lewis, sitting on a train outside of Liverpool Street Station.    Speaking to me at the National Religious Broadcaster convention in Nashville, Tennessee he recalled the remarkable story of how the More To Life project came about: “We produced More To Life a number of years ago and it was incredibly successful. It's all based around people's stories. I've got a friend in Orlando who says when people stop reading the Bible all they have left to read is our lives.   “So what arouses their curiosity is when they see a believer and they see that belief in their life is something making a difference. That's when they become interested. More To Life is all built around the phrase ‘changed lives authenticate the message of Jesus’.   “A couple of years ago something amazing happened when  I was preaching at different conferences around the world.  A number of Americans approached me at different times in different ways and said ‘what you've experienced and are experiencing in the UK is such an important lesson for us to think about in the US’. So they asked if I would pilot More To Life in a number of states in America which we began to do.”   Pethers says following this he was approached by a very successful Southern Baptist publishing house called Lifeway, who are now publishing More To Life in the United State and for use around the world.   He says there are three different kinds of components to the More To Life resource pack: “One is a training kit called Engaging Through Story, which helps believers to get the confidence and passion to actually share their faith using their faith story. Then there's a dvd full of people's faith stories, which they can give away to start that first connection. Believers find it much easier to give away a dvd and say watch this then they do say to someone I want to talk to you about Jesus.   “The third part is called Discover More To Life. If a believer's been encouraged by the training to go and reach someone they can invite them to discover More To Life which again is a whole new resource that involves four different get togethers.  During these sessions they look at the difference Jesus makes in the lives of some of the people He met in the gospel of John and then encourage them saying ‘well could he make that kind of difference in your life as well?’   Pethers, who also founded <a href="http://www.vizaviz.org/">Viz-A-Viz Ministries</a>, an organisation committed to ‘Relevant communication of the Gospel to people today’, says he spends around 20 weeks of the year travelling throughout America and around the world seeking to resource people through More To Life.  I asked him what were the highlights and pitfalls of this challenging life on the road: “The highlights are that God just seems to be going before me and opening up so many doors of opportunity. It’s also seeing people begin to use it and see the lights come on. That's the encouraging thing. “The challenge I guess because I'm a pioneer by nature is I'm still always looking at the not yet. There's the great encouragement of what God is doing but I could see God doing so much more. I suppose God makes some people like that. Pioneering people always looking for the next thing God will do. The other challenge is for my wife and I in terms of asking ourselves what does this mean. I'm out of the UK twenty plus weeks this year and probably more next year, so what does that means for us as a family with our kids now grown up.” While Pethers has already achieved so much in his life, his long-term vision for his ministry continues: “I started Viz A Viz ministries seventeen years ago and it feels like now we're doing what I thought we were doing when I set it up. The big picture vision is that God will use me to play the part I believe He has for me to help the church to see that it needs to be doing new things in a new day. “My dream as I look forward is that I could play whatever part God's got whether it's hugely significant or just a little bit significant to bring in a new generation of Christian thinking that says this is what we need to be doing now to reach these lost people. “I guess I can go to bed and sleep well at night thinking God's used me as a normal fallen guy to help hopefully tens of thousands of lost people come to know Jesus and bring a smile to the face of God.” I would like to thank Robin Frost for transcribing this interview. For more information on More To Life and Viz A Viz ministries go to: <a href="http://www.vizaviz.org">www.vizaviz.org</a> Sorted the UK's Number One Christian Magazine for Men   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3886 NEW REPORT REVEALS HUGE POTENTIAL SAVINGS FOR CHARITIES TRAVEL BUDGETS 3866 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:39:20 +0000 <div> New research released today reveals UK not-for-profit organisations are not capitalising on the best travel advice and deals and are losing hundreds of thousands of pounds every year as a consequence. The report, put together by leading Travel Management Company Key Travel, who have been exclusively serving the not for profit sector for 30 years, is the culmination of nine months analysis of 1500 client organisations. The research reveals that not-for-profit organisations are losing in excess of 15% of their annual budget simply by not being aware of the cost saving alternatives and therefore not making the best choices with regards their travel arrangements. </div> <blockquote style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;">   <div> Since the implementation of their new reporting systems last year, Key Travel has been monitoring the effectiveness of buying behaviour in the not-for-profit sector. In a bid to help organisations manage their budgets more effectively, the research indicates the most common mistakes people make in their travel process and clearly highlights where savings could be achieved through improved buying practices. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;">   <div> The Key Travel ‘Missed Savings Report’ allows analysis of the fare taken at the time of booking alongside the cheapest available fare at the time (that would also have been offered at the point of sale) as well as the cheapest possible fare, if booked in advance. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;">   <div> The Missed Savings Report revealed that 1500 not-for-profit organisations spent approximately £31m on flights within the nine month research period, and in fact could save a staggering £2.3m by merely accepting the cheaper flight option offered to them at the time of booking – representing an 8% saving on a major cost item. The top reasons for lower air fares being declined is split as follows; </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;">   <div> The results clearly show the most common reason for not taking a cheaper flight is preference of airline which is commonly driven by the traveller stipulating a specific airline in the pursuit of loyalty card points or due to personal preference. Secondly it is evident that class of travel is an issue as although economy is obviously a much cheaper option; travellers are not always taking it. Circumstances of course need to be taken into account, as 25.4% (just over £600k) of the identified £2.3m savings could instead be channelled directly into charity projects by downgrading some travel to the back of the plane. Close behind is the considerable cost incurred when exact travel times are required, as very often it is cheaper if you can be more flexible; sometimes even staying an extra night in a hotel and travelling the next day can be more cost effective. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"> <div>   </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"> <div> Each of these identified behaviours, in this case equating to almost £2m of potential savings, could be effectively tackled by the deployment of a travel policy (the process by which an organisation describes the rules for travel procurement). But too often the management of the travel budget is a common oversight. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;">   </blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"> The estimated annual travel budget for a UK Charity is in excess of £250,000 and consequently a travel policy is a must-have budget management tool. As part of the research, Key Travel surveyed 1,200 travellers and travel bookers across a range of not-for-profit organisations and staggeringly 17.2% of people did not know their organisation’s travel policy. Of those who knew it, 60% said that they did not always follow it because they believed it to be inappropriate. A simple education programme here could improve policy compliance and decrease those buying behaviours leading to the leakage of valuable funds without compromising the level of travel undertaken.   <div> Further potential savings were identified if only travellers would book earlier. An analysis of travel booking windows found that the average booking window for clients was 24 days, resulting in ticket prices being, on average, £100 more expensive than if booked say 35 days in advance. Due to the nature of the work of charity and missionary travellers, booking at short notice cannot always be helped; however awareness of the impact of the difference a few days can make, could amount to savings of up to 30% on a single ticket. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;">   <div> Says Steve Summers, COO at Key Travel: “Too many of our not-for-profit clients are missing out on considerable savings, some by simply not booking at an optimum time and others for more frivolous reasons. At a time when everyone is looking at means to save money, where better to focus than the travel budget. A change in consumer buying behaviour will not only ensure more money is available to be used on the charitable projects it was intended, but will also appease those who are actually donating. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"> <div>   </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"> <div> For more information about Key Travel please visit <a target="_blank">www.keytravel.com</a>   </div> </blockquote> http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3866 Hot off the press Scorchio! magazine kicks off World Cup outreach 3852 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:15:02 +0000 As World Cup fever approaches this summer, Christians are being challenged to kick off their outreach plans by ordering copies of mini magazine Scorchio!   “I'm encouraging people to buy copies in bulk of this 36 page mini mag, which is jam packed with facts, figures, the lowdown on all 32 teams competing for the ultimate prize, but also amazing interviews with some of the world’s greatest footballers who know and love Jesus,” explains British evangelist Steve Legg, who produced this resource.   He added: “They can be given away as Father's Day gifts or be used at special World Cup outreach events throughout June. Others have said that they want quantities to take into work, or to leave at the pub whilst games are shown on big screen TVs. It's the easiest form of outreach in the world!” Scorchio includes expert opinion from TV football pundits Dan Walker and John Motson and chats to footballers about their Christian faith, including Rory Fallon, Steven Pienaar and Tim Howard, plus Spain's Marcos Senna and an exclusive interview with Kaka.   “We know people will enjoy what they read, but more than that we want to challenge them to think a little more about faith and how relevant it can be to them,” explains Legg who is also editor of Christian men’s magazine Sorted.   “The great footballing guru, Bill Shankly, commented ‘Some people think football’s a matter of life and death. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.’ I have days when I’m inclined to agree with him. But I also hope that through the pages of Scorchio! people will realise that Christianity is like that, too.”   Legg concluded with an update on Sorted magazine, described as the lad’s mag with morals: “It continues to sell well. It is available in 1,500 high street newsagents across the UK and we are exploring having Sorted in larger branches of supermarket chain Tesco. Our March/April edition is available now and is another bumper read. It is jam packed with all the usual features plus Bill star, Andrew Lancel, Hollywood star Stephen Baldwin, Paul Azinger, The Soldiers, Rob Parsons and so much more.”   Scorchio! is available at the Sorted online shop - <a href="http://www.sorted-magazine.com/" target="_blank">www.sorted-magazine.com</a> - copies start at 99p each and go down dramatically the more you order. Ten Christian guys chipping in just £25 each would mean you'd get 500 copies. Sorted the UK's Number One Christian magazine for men   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3852 Christian leaders unite for Global Day of Prayer at London’s West Ham Stadium 3818 Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:19:23 +0000 The Legends suite in London’s West Ham stadium was packed to capacity last Thursday February 12, for a special evening reception, to envision Christian leaders for this year’s Global Day of Prayer London event scheduled for May 30.   “This is a prophetic moment that we mustn’t miss.  We have to work together across our class, colour and creed barriers,” said Jonathan Oloyede, convener of GDOP London, as he addressed more than 300 leaders from a wide range of denominational, cultural and political leadership roles.   Oloyede believes the coming together of churches from all denominations and cultural backgrounds could have a significant impact on the capital and the nation: “It’s amazing what happens when people come together in tens of thousands.  A big event like the Global Day of Prayer helps people to realise that they’re not just a small church tucked away somewhere, but that they’re part the church of God which is very big and colourful”   “We want churches to unite at local level on Pentecost Sunday 23rd May and then all roads lead to Upton Park the following Sunday on 30th May, where the gates will open from around noon for a 2pm start. It is going to be a fantastic time not to be missed!   Member of Parliament for East Ham Stephen Timms gave his full endorsement to Global Day of Prayer London as he addressed leaders saying: “Faith is a great starting point to pointing to change in our communities.”   Reverend George Hargreaves leader of the Christian party said he believes GDOP London is so important he’s encouraging all their supporters to come to West Ham May 30: “I think it’s imperative for us to come together at West Ham for the GDOP to pray for this nation and for the globe.”   Apostle Paul Fadeyi from Grace Outreach Church in London was also keen to lend his support:  “I’m so glad to be a part of the Global Day of Prayer and I believe it’s time for us to come together and pray as heaven is about to come down upon this nation in a way that we’ve never seen before.”   Evangelist Tony Anthony from Avanti Ministries and author of Taming The Tiger said: “I’m enormously excited at the possibility of the stadium being packed out with prayer warriors because when you look at the first church in Acts, it was born in a prayer meeting in the upper room. That’s where it begins with servants being on their knees before the Lord praying for the nation.”   There was a clear excitement and expectancy during the leaders’ reception for what could be achieved through this year’s Global Day of Prayer event at West Ham stadium.   But Oloyede hopes that enthusiasm will be duplicated throughout churches across the city and the nation: “We want people to come in busloads and we want people to get involved locally by connecting with other churches and telling them at Pentecost we want to unite together and come together in one place.   “From West Ham we point to Wembley.  The significance for us is that Upton Park is where we held our first stadium event.  This is possibly going to be the last stadium event we hold before we head to Wembley stadium in 2011 after which is the Olympics.  So it’s significant for us that we’re back where we started.   “The Bible says where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty and where the people come together in unity there the Lord commands a blessing.  So we’re believing God for a blessing to be poured out over our capital and our nation as the church unites together.”   Jonathan concluded by calling for Christians to start setting their mobile phones to noon to pray the Lord’s prayer each day in the lead up to GDOP London: “We believe when churches and believers unite together by simultaneously praying the Lord’s prayer God is able to open the windows of heaven over our city and over our nation.”   <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;" lang="EN-GB">For more details on how to sign up to partner with this year’s GDOP London go to: <a href="http://www.gdoplondon.com">www.gdoplondon.com</a> <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;" lang="EN-GB">Sorted the UK's Number One Christian magazine for men http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3818 Evangelical Alliance Says Young Christians Will Vote in British Elections 3792 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:12:24 +0000 An overwhelming majority of young evangelical Christians are planning to vote in the upcoming General Election, the Evangelical Alliance has revealed as it launches its election website.   Eighty-one percent of 18 to 24-year-olds surveyed at Soul Survivor's 'Momentum' event last summer said they plan to vote – more than double the percentage of people in the same age bracket who voted at the last general election.   Evangelical Alliance Parliamentary Officer Daniel Webster said: “Young evangelicals are going to buck the trend and take part in the coming election. Rather than being turned off from politics, these findings show that young adults care about a wide range of issues and will take these views to the ballot box.   “Our website, with its summaries of the main parties’ policies, will help them and other voters as they decide how to place that all-important vote.”   The Evangelical Alliance’s new General Election 2010 website aims to give information to voters about how a general election works, a brief introduction to each of the major parties and an outline of what their policies are on a range of issues. It also gives local churches advice on how they can play their part by holding hustings events.   Steve Webb, MP for Northavon, said: "Some of the liveliest debates that I take part in at election time are organised by the local churches. It is important for Christians to get informed and get involved at election time, and this is an excellent way for churches to reach out to people in their local area at the same time.    "I would encourage local churches to get together and make sure that hustings are taking place across their constituency."   The Alliance ’s election website can be found at <a href="http://www.eauk.org/public-affairs/elections/index.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.eauk.org/public-affairs/elections/index.cfm</a>. The site promotes no particular party, but encourages Christians to engage in the political process.   Sorted the UK's No. 1 Christian Magazine for Men http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3792 Key Travel Sends Over 100 Aid Workers To Haiti Crisis 3758 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:11:28 +0000   Reacting quickly to the Haitian crisis was essential for Key Travel. As the UK’s only travel management company to work exclusively with third sector organisations, Key Travel were on hand to help their clients do just this. Using their recently updated risk management system they were alerted immediately to the crisis and were able to conduct scans of all travellers booked to travel to, or who were in the affected areas as well as advise on airline policies for flights. Key Travel has worked successfully with organisations such as Oxfam to provide help to those affected by the crisis and has already sent over 100 aid workers to the region.   As third sector specialists Key Travel is used to working with clients needing to get to disaster areas in a hurry. In the event of a crisis they prioritise their workload to ensure that booking requests related to the emergency are processed as soon as possible (whilst also keeping on top of other requests). The expertise of the reservations teams, booking technology and internal structure makes it easy for the reservations consultants to quickly share information on route availability, giving clients the most up to date information when they call in a fast and efficient way. A witness to the speed of service was Oxfam’s Alexandra Walker, Business Support Coordinator, who says: “It was very useful to have a list of the tickets affected and the reference numbers in front of me so quickly.”   In the event of a crisis Key Travel’s relationships with the embassies, built over numerous years, and the nature of the clients they serve often provides leverage to negotiate quicker turnarounds and better deals on visa applications. This combined with the 24 hour emergency support which is manned by Key Travel staff, means that callers receive a consistent  level of service and expertise whenever they call.   Since the Haiti Crisis Key Travel has managed the travel arrangements for over 100 aid workers to get to the effected area and has some simple tips for booking in a crisis: 1.      Book as early in advance as possible to maximise your chances of securing a seat which are fast becoming limited 2.      Be prepared to be flexible both in relation to your arrival and departure times and the destination airport. Over 70 of the recent bookings have been made to neighbouring ‘Dominican Republic’ (Santo Domingo) as there are very limited flights to Haiti as well as issues with capacity at Port-au-Prince airport. 3.      Be equipped to inform the reservations agent of your passport details and nationality. This saves time during the booking process as it will quickly determine any route limitations posed by the potential need to obtain transit visas for indirect flights. 4.      Be clear on any special requirements e.g. excess baggage to carry aid equipment, diet etc.   Says Steve Summers, COO at Key Travel: “In times of crisis it is vital that help is delivered as quickly as possible and through our risk management system, 24 hour emergency support and experienced teams we have been able to help many organisations come to the aid of the thousands of people affected by the earthquake when they have needed it most.”   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3758 Global Day of Prayer London calls for one million to saturate the capital in prayer 3740 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:09:23 +0000 GDOP London is calling for 1 million Christians to pray the Lord’s Prayer at noon every day in the lead up to next year’s event at the famous Wembley Stadium.   Ahead of Wembley, as preparations are well underway for this year’s event at West Ham Stadium May 30, GDOP London Convener Jonathan Oloyede is asking people to start setting their alarm clocks and mobile phone at noon every day:   “As people simultaneously pray the Lord’s Prayer we believe that’s going to help us open the heavens and create something of God’s presence breaking out on our streets in the capital and across the whole nation.”   He added: “Set against massive social, financial and spiritual upheaval and the barrenness and fractured nature of much of our society, we are crying out to God; Our Father in Heaven, Heal our Land!!  Extraordinary times demand extraordinary prayer.”   We are approaching one of the most pivotal elections in recent history. In light of this Oloyede is calling for churches to commit to pray 24/7 for London and their nation: “We’re also inviting churches wherever they are in the country or the capital, to choose a day to pray 24 hours, to pray for their communities, for their capital and for their country.    “Getting a church to pray one day for 24hours is not that difficult. All you need to do is find 24 people who can choose one hour to pray. Most churches have more than 24 adults!! Our website www.gdoplondon.com, has resources which provide help on how to do this.”    “Some churches do 24/7 prayers for a whole week.  We’re just trying to galvanise people to pray more.  Go that extra mile. We’re encouraging people to do just that bit extra in prayer for this nation.”   Jonathan believes there are several key issues believers should be praying for in London right now:  “We want people to pray for young people.  We want to keep praying down the crime rates.  In the midst of the recession we want people to pray for families below the poverty line and for the security of this capital.  The list is endless.    “But really the most important thing is to pray that people would know the love of God.   There are many lonely people who don’t have family.  We want to pray that the love of Jesus breaks into their lives and something of the warmth of his compassion touches them.”   To launch this year’s GDOP London vision, Christian leaders from across London and the nation are being invited to a special evening event at West Ham stadium on February 11 at 6:30pm. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3740 Stephen Baldwin, LZ7 and Blush to join fundraising concert for Haiti 3729 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:00:27 +0000 Christian youth ministry The Message Trust is putting together a fundraising concert to raise funds for Haiti. Joining the Heart for Haiti fundraiser in Manchester next week are Celebrity Big Brother star Stephen Baldwin and Christian bands LZ7 and Blush. Message Trust director Andy Hawthorne and local church leader Anthony Delaney will take to the stage to share about their humanitarian visit to Haiti to deliver medical supplies to hospitals struggling to cope with the high volume of injured. They returned on Monday from their mercy mission, which saw them take 1,000kg of supplies to an emergency surgical unit set up in devastated capital Port-au-Prince and a ruined hospital on the island of La Gonave, filled to the brim with refugees from the mainland. Said Hawthorne: "We had to transport two young people with broken backs in a flat back truck over roads ripped apart by the quake. One of them, paralysed when his house fell on him, was carried to us on a door by his friends." The team, which included members of the Lemon Aid charity, evacuated a nine-year-old girl who had been buried for three days and had to have half her foot amputated. Hawthorne recounted: "As we flew on a small missionary plane back to the mainland we were praying that amid the chaos we could find an orthopaedic surgeon. When we landed, the first people we saw was a group waiting to fly out. They were an orthopaedic team. We have to say that along with the misery, we saw miracles." Concert details: ‘Heart for Haiti’ will feature Celebrity Big Brother star Stephen Baldwin, Manchester bands LZ7 and Blush, with eyewitness contributions from Andy Hawthorne and Anthony Delaney Venue: Wythenshawe Forum (tbc) Date and time: Thursday 4 February, 7.30pm Sorted The UK's No 1 Christian magazine for men http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3729 Cook Up The Feel Good Factor This Valentine’s Day 3716 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:23:49 +0000 Loaves, fishes and more can inspire the nation’s romantics   For couples planning a cosy night in this Valentine’s Day – Loaves, fishes and more – the charity cookbook devised by insurer Congregational & General, will feed their inspiration for romantic dishes with ‘feel good’ ingredients.   Including recipes from celebrity chef Kevin Woodford, the 128-page book will give sweethearts some bright ideas for recipes and treats - particularly in the ‘Divine Desserts’ section - and will make this Valentine’s one to remember.   Whether your food for true love is strawberries dipped in dark chocolate (Taste of Heaven), or you like the sound of sweet basil sprinkled on your favourite pasta (Ragu Cavaliere), then you can cook up a treat to impress the love of your life.   With a number of the recipes containing delicious ‘feel good’ ingredients such as; dark chocolate, chilli, pine nuts, sweet basil, strawberries and bananas, there is plenty to choose from for the perfect Valentine’s dish to make your partner feel great.   Consider following recipes that include ingredients like: Dark chocolate – contains theobromine, which is a stimulant and helps the body produce serotonin to make you feel good. Sweet Basil – has a fantastic aroma and contains oils with potent antioxidant, ant-cancer, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties Chilli –contains capsaicin, a chemical that stimulates nerve endings and increases circulation and is thought to release endorphins, which can provide a natural sense of ‘feeling good’ Bananas – a good source of energy and another food that contains active ingredients to produce the hormone serotonin, which is known to improve your mood. Pine nuts – contain a high level of oleic acid, which is a monounsaturated fat that helps protect the liver and the heart.  They also contain zinc, which improves the functionality of the immune system, digestion and reduces stress levels. Recommended recipes to try from Loaves, fishes and more: <ol style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3;">Ragu Cavaliere – contains sweet basil </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3;">Pepper’s Pesto Pasta – includes pine nuts </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3;">Salmon fishcakes with chilli – contain chilli </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3;">Taste of Heaven - contains dark chocolate and strawberries </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3;">Ginger Biscuits – contain ginger </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3;">Banana and carrot muffins – contain bananas </li> </ol>   Best of all, you can cook with a conscience as each book sold results in a donation to Christian Aid to fund their vital worldwide work for people in need. Retailing at £11.95 per copy, it is available now from high street bookshops including Waterstones, as well as eBay and Amazon.   For more information visit <a target="_blank">www.loavesfishesandmore.com</a>   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3716 Churches launch guide to prepare for the 2010 General Election 3678 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:49:55 +0000 Online resources designed to help Christians prepare for the General Election were launched today.    Eleven Churches and Church agencies have worked together to create an electronic booklet and website <a href="http://www.churcheselection.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.churcheselection.org.uk</a>, which includes information on how to arrange a hustings meeting at local churches as well as a downloadable guide offering information on the important questions of this election campaign.   The election materials do not support a particular Church view or political party line, but aim to help people engage with a range of important issues facing the country, however they may decide to vote.   Rachel Lampard, Public Issues Policy Adviser for the Methodist Church who worked on the resources produced by Methodist Publishing and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, said: “We hope that the website will really help Christians engage with the election. The Faith in Politics booklet covers a whole range of policy issues, written by leading Christian experts and campaigners. The website also carries new guidance for groups wishing to hold hustings events during the election campaign, enabling people to register their interest in organising a hustings event and be put in touch with others in their constituency. We hope churches up and down the country will take advantage of these ecumenical resources.”   Faith in Politics covers issues including the economy, environment, health, education, equality and diversity, Europe, migration and sanctuary, poverty and criminal justice. The resource also provides a series of questions to facilitate personal or group reflection on political issues, or which could be used to quiz election candidates.    The Revd Dr Malcolm Brown, Director of the Church of England's Mission and Public Affairs Division, said: “I really hope these resources will be used by churches across the country to help them get ready for the General Election. They provide a rich range of material from which Christians and others can explore policy areas and form questions for their parliamentary candidates. The material points to the breadth of the impact that Westminster politics can have on the life of the nation, and I hope it will stimulate searching questions that will in turn help people make an informed judgement about how they use their vote.”   The Revd Bob Fyffe, General Secretary of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, said “These resources will provide a rich source of information for churches and Churches Together groups across the four nations. The combination of these resources together with the online hustings information should ensure that Christians around the UK can fully engage in discussions with their prospective parliamentary candidates. The fact that the Churches have worked together to provide these resources is a strong statement in itself, and we hope that local churches and groups will fully engage in the democratic process.”   Sorted The UK's No 1 Christian Magazine for Men http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3678 Churches Across the United Kingdom to Tune in to 3-Minute Warning Video on YouTube this Sunday 3673 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:37:54 +0000 Churches across the UK will interrupt their worship this Sunday to watch a three-minute warning video about the Equality Bill, which is due to be voted on in the British House of Commons the following day (January 25). In a media release obtained by ANS, Christian Concern for our Nation (CCFON), an organization that exists to serve the Church by providing information to enable Christians to stand up publicly against a tide of unchristian legal and political changes in the United Kingdom, says it believes the Bill is "the biggest state intervention into people's private expression of their faith since the Reformation." On the video, CCFON director Andrea Minichiello-Williams will tell Christians that if the Bill goes through, their church could not advertise for a "Christian youth worker", but just a "youth worker". She says the role of worship leader, often pivotal in any church, could no longer be restricted to Christians. Andrea Minichiello Williams commented:"Christians and Churches across this nation need to be aware that this Bill has enormous implications for their day-to-day functioning. "If it is passed in its present form, the Equality Bill will result in churches and Christian organizations having to recruit people to key positions who are unsympathetic to the need to reflect Christ and to worship Him through their work. That will in turn affect the way in which Jesus Christ is perceived by those served by the Church and its ministries." The video can be watched on YouTube at: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrjEprFjp-4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrjEprFjp-4</a>  and the Christian Concern for our Nation website at: <a href="http://www.ccfon.org/equalitybill1.php">http://www.ccfon.org/equalitybill1.php</a>.   Christians across the UK will also be urged to sign David Skinner's anti-Equality Bill petition on the No 10 Downing St website <a href="http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/harryhammond">http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/harryhammond</a> , which again can be accessed via <a href="http://www.ccfon.org">www.ccfon.org</a> Sorted the UK's No 1 Christian magazine for men http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3673 Sorted Podcast Jan/Feb 2010 3664 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:09:15 +0000 <img id="" src="/sites/169/news/3664/Sorted-Podcast-Jan-Feb-10.jpg" alt="Sorted Podcast Jan Feb 10" border="" class="" usemap="" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"/> Patrick Woodward talks to Sorted's editor, Steve Legg, about the January/February 2010 issue. <h5>Listen Now: </h5> http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3664 Churches pray and give to DEC Appeal for Haiti 3645 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:53:25 +0000 Thousands of churches in the UK are set to spend this Sunday (17 January) praying and giving offerings for people affected by the huge earthquake that devastated Haiti this week.   Actor John Hurt and presenter Kirsty Young have fronted appeals asking for help for the impoverished nation struck by the quake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale on Tuesday.  Christians are responding to the DEC appeal by taking time within their church services to pray and give money.   The president of Haiti says he fears that tens of thousands of people have died but the full extent of the suffering remains unclear.   Oenone Chadburn, Head of Tearfund’s Disaster Management Unit, said today: ‘My husband is half-Haitian, and we have spent the last few days praying and searching online for news of family and friends.  We have lost one person, and we’re grieving that loss.  We’re very encouraged that our fellow Christians will be praying and giving to the DEC Appeal this Sunday, as we stand with our brothers and sisters in Haiti at this time.’   Up to three million people live in the area worst hit by the quake centred 10 miles southwest of the capital Port-au-Prince . Many have lost homes and their livelihoods. Essential services have been badly hit.   Clare Dixon, CAFOD head of Latin America and Caribbean, says: " Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Its people are used to civil strife, hurricanes and floods, but earthquakes are not a normal occurrence. With the majority of the population living in abject poverty, this earthquake will greatly increase their suffering."   There are not enough body bags to collect the dead lying in the streets. There are concerns that supply of drinking water will last only several more days.   Nick Guttmann, head of Christian Aid’s humanitarian division, said today: ‘The practical needs in tackling this disaster are enormous. The question of access must be speedily addressed to get relief to the worst hit areas.   ‘It is also crucial to ensure that there are secure areas where supplies can be distributed in a fair manner. The rapid provision of food, water, medical supplies and shelter and blankets is essential.’     Churches and Christian organisations are among those who have already been working in Haiti , which is one of the world’s poorest countries, to bring about sustainable development.  Those same churches will be involved in the relief efforts and will be part of the long-term work to build back better.   DEC member agencies who work directly with churches, including Cafod, Christian Aid, Tearfund and World Vision, have made resources available to churches to help them to pray.  Christian Aid have produced a prayer which can be downloaded from <a title="http://www.christianaid.org.uk/" href="http://www.christianaid.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.christianaid.org.uk</a> and Tearfund are offering churches a Powerpoint of images to help them reflect on the scale of the crisis at <a title="http://www.tearfund.org/haitiprayer" href="http://www.tearfund.org/haitiprayer" target="_blank">www.tearfund.org/haitiprayer</a>   To make a donation to the DEC Haiti appeal visit <a title="http://www.dec.org.uk/ blocked::http://www.dec.org.uk/ http://www.dec.org.uk/" href="http://www.dec.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.dec.org.uk</a> or donate over the counter at any post office or high street bank, or send a cheque – see details below.   Anyone wanting to stay up to date with developments in Haiti, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts can follow the DEC on twitter at <a title="http://twitter.com/decappeal blocked::http://twitter.com/decappeal http://twitter.com/decappeal" href="http://twitter.com/decappeal" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/decappeal</a> or become a fan of ‘Disasters-Emergency-Committee-DEC’ on Facebook.  http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3645 Stephen Baldwin takes his faith to the Celebrity Big Brother House 3634 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:37:50 +0000 If Big Brother chiefs were hoping for some eyebrow-raising controversy on the last ever Celebrity Big Brother, they must be pinning their hopes on contestants other than born-again Christian Stephen Baldwin.   The former hellraiser and now active evangelist is one of the contestants on the last ever series of Celebrity Big Brother, a TV show not generally associated with salubriousness. Baldwin stayed up late talking with fellow contestant Vinnie Jones and explaining parts of the Bible to him, before kneeling at his bedside to say his prayers at the end of the night. Later, Baldwin and the other housemates got talking about religion. He told them: "I tell you right now, what the experience in Heaven is going to be is so far beyond this experience. I can't wait to get there." Glamour model Nicola Tappenden responded by saying: “I do believe there’s a lovely Heaven but I don’t think I’d take the Bible’s law. I’ll take peace.” Housemate and “Hollywood madam” Heidi Fleiss had a moan about him in the Diary Room, saying, “Right now I think Stephen’s a bit of an idiot, but I could be wrong. He could be a really nice guy. “When I was sleeping I thought I heard him preaching a bit and he was telling Sov (fellow contestant Lady Sovereign) how to get paint out of her hair … just maybe being a little bit instructing everybody.” Other contestants on Celebrity Big Brother are Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood’s ex Ekaterina Ivanov, DJ Basshunter and Katie Price’s cage-fighter boyfriend Alex Reid. Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.  http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3634 On the High Street 3588 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:52:36 +0000 What a thrill to pick up a copy of Sorted magazine in my local newsagents this morning. In actual fact, it wasn't my usual newsagents as they had sold out! It was a dream come true to see Sorted racked between Nuts and Loaded, providing at long last a good, wholesome alternative to traditional lads mags. There are 4,500 copies of Sorted in 1,500 Newsagents the length and breadth of the UK and it would be awesome to sell out. Just imagine what sort of message this would send to newsagents and magazine publishers.   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3588 Mercy Ships Concludes Benin Field Service with Record Results 3578 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:32:47 +0000 The world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship the Africa Mercy just concluded a record amount of treatments during their ten month field service in Benin, West Africa.   Due to the combined efforts of 454 crew members from over 40 nations and the support of Mercy Ships state-of-the-art hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, 97,625 total procedures were performed and 67,219 lives were impacted.   As the Africa Mercy prepares for its 2010 Field Service in Togo, it leaves behind permanent footprints in Benin – footprints in the form of trained eye surgeons that are now fully trained in eye screening, cataract removal, and eye health.    According to a Mercy Ships press release not only can these physicians treat their communities but they are trained to teach other physicians long after the Africa Mercy is gone. The country of Benin will have healthier children, due to the Mercy Ships partnerships with IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness) program that educates families on wound tending and cleaning.     The Biomedical Training Program trained individuals to keep equipment fine-tuned and updated in each hospital so it runs as efficiently as it can.  More access to health care was provided thanks to the opening of the OSAREH Orthopedic Clinic and thanks to the Food For Life Program, the community will be better prepared to grow crops and the dormitory constructed in the Hévié area outside of Cotonou that will now be the base for agricultural trainers trained by Mercy Ships that will continue training others well into the future.   “Although President YAYI Boni has brought great change to the West African nation of Benin, living in a nation where a worker earns less than 2 dollars a day, explains why life in Benin continues to be very difficult,” reflects Don Stephens, Founder and President of Mercy Ships.    He added: “When you have limited means, it is hard to feed, educate, and care for the health of your family.  The 10 month Field Service conducted by our hospital ship, Africa Mercy, brought hope and healing to a nation where there is one hospital for every 1,000,000 people.   “I could not be more pleased with the service of our multinational crew as they followed the 2,000 year old model of Jesus on a daily basis.  The ship has departed, but our hearts will always have room for the wonderful people of Benin and their President who extended Mercy Ships an invitation to come and help.” http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3578 Sorted hits newsagents across the UK 3577 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:26:04 +0000 As the UK’s only Christian magazine for men hit the shelves of 1500 newsagents across the country this week, Sorted editor Steve Legg is urging Christians to go out and buy a copy.   “We’ve got 4,000 copies of Sorted being sold in these shops and we need to demonstrate the demand for more to be sold.  So I’m urging Christians across the UK to go out and buy their copy,” said Steve.   He added: “This is a real answer to prayer. I was approached by a secular magazine distributor to place 4,000 copies of each edition of the magazine in the men’s lifestyle section of newsagents throughout the UK.  For them to say they’re going to place it between Nuts and Loaded I almost fell off my seat.    “My heart has always been to reach men and for Sorted to be placed on the shop shelves in between Nuts and Loaded is a dream come true. So who knows who could pick it up, who might be looking for something a little bit different?”   Steve Legg, who’s been on the road for more than 21 years as a Gospel escape artist and illusionist, launched Sorted two years ago as a positive, wholesome alternative to men’s magazines like Nuts and Loaded.  He says the immediate reaction was extremely positive even from one of the UK’s top national newspapers: “The Daily Telegraph loved it and called it ‘the lad’s mag with morals,’ and that’s stuck.  It’s just been so exciting how that’s grown.” Earlier this year overwhelming demand meant the magazine completely sold out, as 10,000 copies were ordered for Father’s day so an additional 3,000 were printed.  Steve says as a result of this they’re also planning to sell copies for Father’s Day next year in one of Britain’s largest retailers WH Smith.” To order your subscription of Sorted go to: <a href="http://www.sorted-magazine.com/">www.sorted-magazine.com</a>   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3577 Liverpool defender seeks divine intervention 3536 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:25:22 +0000 Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher admits he prays to God every night to help his team win the FA Cup or the Europa league. According to Metro newspaper, following Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Arsenal, Carragher accepts it's a painful time for Liverpool. "But we've got to stick together, get through it and, as I am doing every night, praying that at the end of the season there will be something worth what we have gone through, because it has been tough." He added: "I pray to God we win the FA Cup or the Europa League and we get in the top four, dust ourselves down at the end of the season and say, 'It hasn't been so bad in the end.'" Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3536 Mercy Project Ukraine Director helps launch UK sponsorship program 3528 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:32:40 +0000 Irina Skrypnik, director of Mercy Project International in Ukraine, along with her husband Yuri, who runs the charity’s sponsorship projects, visited the UK on a speaking tour last month, to encourage churches to partner with them in helping at risk children and needy families in their country. “We never expected that people would be so interested in what is happening in our country which is only three hours flight from the UK,” explained Irina after speaking in churches in the North West of England. After giving an emotional message at Northgate Church in Chester, Irina and Yuri were clearly touched by the response of the congregation who lined up to sign up for Mercy Project’s sponsorship program: “They really wanted to help in all possible ways – help families, orphanages and foster families. It wasn’t just a one off response, but they were willing to establish long term relationships with the people they signed up to sponsor. We were so touched by their deep and warm response!” One elderly lady who signed up to sponsor an orphanage excitedly took away the profile of all the children saying she would pray for each of them everyday.   Spreading the message on the airwaves “It wasn’t easy for me but it helps to understand what’s needed while talking about your work,” explained Irina in response to doing a number of radio interviews during their UK visit, for United Christian Broadcasters and BBC Radio Merseyside. “Normally I try to do my best while working with people and helping them. But it’s very important to be able to tell others what you do. I have to learn more how to do it.”   Mercy Project now has 20 sponsors signed up in the UK to provide long-term support to children, foster families and orphanages.  Irina hopes the impact will be long-lasting and that many of these sponsors will come to Ukraine: “I hope that people who were interested in helping our needy families will become our sponsors for a long time. Those who want to come over to Ukraine will be able to see the results of their help while visiting the families. Those who can’t travel will get news and reports from us. “I’m pretty sure that our program in the UK will grow and with the help of UK sponsors we will be able to help many Ukrainian families in many different ways – buying food, paying for medical care, helping with education and many-many other things. And I know that our people will be very thankful for this help!” Irina says as Christmas approaches Mercy Project in Ukraine faces the challenges of helping many needy families: “I would say that the greatest need during this Christmas season is the same as always – people need hope for the future. In order to have this hope – they have to know the Lord and to have good real friends who can help them during hard times. Therefore we will be helping with some basic needs – warm blankets, winter clothing, food, medical care, which is very important for many Ukrainian families.” For more details on Mercy Project International go to: <a href="http://www.mercyproject.org.uk">www.mercyproject.org.uk</a> Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3528 Russian Ministries president’s urgent Christmas Gift of Hope appeal 3511 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:22:00 +0000 All across Russia, as national evangelical churches and young Next Generation Christians aim to bring Christmas hope to 50,000 orphans and needy children through Project Hope: The Great Gift Exchange, the president of Russian Ministries Anita Deyneka is urgently appealing for help to make this ambitious goal become a reality.   “We hear in the news about the oil and natural gas and the rising superpower of Russia again flexing its muscles in the world.  But what we don’t hear about is the 750,000 orphans and an estimated 2-4 million street children.  This whole nation within a nation is full of hurting little people and they will be among the 50,000 we’re wanting to reach, which is just a small part of a great need,” explains Anita.   She added: “These Christmas gifts with Project Hope come with a box full of toys, food, candy, clothes and with a children’s Bible.  So the great need is to get those gifts into the hands of the children because that’s how they’ll know about the love and hope of Jesus even in their hard circumstances, where their lives are so difficult and they know so little of love and hope.    “To do that it costs $25 to put one gift into the hands of one child.  The Christians there are the co-workers and the young next generation Christians that they’re mobilising who will go out to the orphanages in the streets and hospitals.    “It’s not so possible now for these gifts to be imported from the West, but they’re packed there and distributed there.  The Christians are giving what they can but they need help.  So that’s our great need and we’re so thankful to Christians in the West, who are partnering with us and we pray that many more will as we’re coming close to Christmas.”   Bridge-building gifts of hope   Anita Deyneka, wife of the late Peter Deyneka, Jr., has served in missions for more than 40 years and she says through their Russian missionaries this Christmas project has brought about many opportunities for reconciliation between divided communities.   “We go to places like Beslan, where in 2004 the school was besieged by a terrorist attack and to go now to the school, which is still a monument, and visit the families there who are still suffering.  Also our missionaries are going right into Chechnya to Grozny the capital, where the terrorists came from and see the suffering of the children and the devastation and the poverty and the violence and then were are able to show the hands and feet of Jesus by putting put into the hands of these children and their families these Christmas gifts.   “I remember the story that has always stayed in my heart of our Russian missionaries who brought help at the time when refugees were fleeing from Chechnya.   Christmas gifts were being distributed by our Russian missionaries to these refugees and the Russian and Chechens have been enemies for years overall.  Traditionally they hate each other.  “But here came the Russians with these gifts showing the love of Jesus.  They came to a Muslim home and where was teenage boy, Rusalan who’d already been involved in killings and was trained as a terrorist from the time he was a child.  He stood back watching with hatred towards these Russian missionaries giving gifts to his little brothers and sisters.  But he saw the kindness of the Russian missionaries and on one of the boxes there was a message that included the word love and this so interested him somehow and touched something in his heart.  So he kept coming back to the missionaries wanting to know more about Jesus and he did become a believer and had to go in hiding.  But this is one of thousands of stories of what happens as a bridge of caring and love is built in which children are given some happiness and some hope in Jesus.”   Ripples of blessing   Anita says there are many blessings that come of this project that provide countless ministry opportunities for the evangelical churches through Russian, Ukraine and beyond: “Just ripples of blessing happen from this one gift of $25 or a $100 gift would provide four boxes for the children.  The blessings that happen and keep happening are incalculable, most of all for the children who are receiving these gifts who are so forgotten often.    “But also the gifts are being given through Russian Christians spreading out across Russia spreading out from churches all over their communities and outlying areas.  Bridges are built not just for this Christmas but throughout the year, that open doors to orphanages, schools and hospitals.  The Russian Christians who are distributing the gifts always see in such amazing ways how God uses this outreach to grow their churches.    “When the people in the villages and communities see the churches sharing the Gospel message through helping needy children it opens their hearts in ways that are just amazing.  The children will talk to their families about what’s happened and they see the love of Jesus in action and it draws people to the churches to the Gospel in ways that are just wonderful.”   Appealing to Western Christians   As Christmas draws increasingly closer Anita is urgently appealing for more help from Western Christians: “Russia is not so much on our radar as needing our help these days because we hear about all their oil and natural gas that there are a rising superpower.  The stories that we often don’t hear are millions of hurting children in the country where the population is dropping at the rate of half a million to a million every year, where there are more orphans and street children that military.    “The message is these are God’s children who need to hear about the love of Jesus and we have an unparalleled opportunity and open door to do that as we are able to help the Christians in the former Soviet Union who are doing what they can in providing Christmas gifts.  Our heartfelt request is to find partners in the West who would help us to help the Russian Christians put those Christmas gifts in the hands of these children so they can know about Jesus, the great gift of all.  Russian Christmas is mostly celebrated on January 7th so we still have some time even beyond December 25 but these next few weeks are critical to building bridges to at least 50,000 children.”   To find out more go to: <a href="http://www.russian-ministries.org/">www.russian-ministries.org</a> where donations to Project Hope can be made online.   Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.  http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3511 Getting your Christmas present for men ‘Sorted’ 3486 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:57:14 +0000 UK national evangelist Steve Legg says the ideal Christmas present for the men in your life is a subscription to Christian men’s magazine Sorted.   “It’s a gift that lasts all year.  Instead of a pair of socks or some cheap after shave for a dad, a brother or a son it is a gift that will really bless and encourage people for the whole year.  Every two months this lovely glossy magazine, at least 80 pages, will be dropping through peoples’ letterboxes,” said Sorted editor Steve Legg.   Steve, who’s been on the road for more than 21 years as a Gospel escape artist and illusionist, launched Sorted two years ago as a positive, wholesome alternative to men’s magazines like Nuts and Loaded.  He says the immediate reaction was extremely positive even from one of the UK’s top national newspapers: “The Daily Telegraph loved it and called it ‘the lad’s mag with morals,’ and that’s stuck.  It’s just been so exciting how that’s grown.”   Steve says if you haven’t got a man in your life how adopting a subscription of the magazine for a soldier:  “We still send about 1500 copies of Sorted every time literally to the ends of the earth.  Every Royal Navy ship has got copies of it, every submarine, every marine base, all the RAF bases.  So how about adopting a copy to go out there?    “We’re told that every magazine is read by about 50 men.  That is phenomenal for £18 a year or £3 every two months or £1.50 a month you could be reaching 50 men.  It works out at about 3p per person.  What a great evangelistic opportunity.    “Many of us get terrified of knocking on peoples’ doors or stopping people in the street with a Christian tract, but this is really easy to do and it does make a difference.  We get wonderful feedback from guys out there in Afghanistan and all over the place saying they picked up a copy of Sorted and they love it.” Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.  http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3486 Sorted set to hit Britain's Newsagents 3469 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:11:17 +0000 The UK’s only Christian magazine for men, has reached a significant breakthrough, as Sorted is set to be distributed in 1500 newsagents up and down the country starting in January 2010.   “This is a real answer to prayer,” said Sorted editor and well-known national evangelist Steve Legg.  He added: “I was approached by a secular magazine distributor to place 4,000 copies of each edition of the magazine in the men’s lifestyle section of newsagents throughout the UK.  For them to say they’re going to place it between Nuts and Loaded I almost fell off my seat.    “My heart has always been to reach men and for Sorted to be placed on the shop shelves in between Nuts and Loaded is a dream come true. So who knows who could pick it up, who might be looking for something a little bit different?”   Steve Legg, who’s been on the road for more than 21 years as a Gospel escape artist and illusionist, launched Sorted nearly two years ago as a positive, wholesome alternative to men’s magazines like Nuts and Loaded.  He says the immediate reaction was extremely positive even from one of the UK’s top national newspapers: “The Daily Telegraph loved it and called it ‘the lad’s mag with morals,’ and that’s stuck.  It’s just been so exciting how that’s grown.” Earlier this year overwhelming demand meant the magazine completely sold out, as 10,000 copies were ordered for Father’s day so an additional 3,000 were printed.  Steve says as a result of this they’re also planning to sell copies for Father’s Day next year in one of Britain’s largest retailers WH Smith.” Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.  http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3469 Sorted in Newsagents 3461 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:50:58 +0000 WE are delighted to announce from Jan 2010, Sorted - your favourite men's mag - will be available in over 1,500 independent newsagents up and down the UK. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3461 Back to Church Sunday 2009: a warm welcome to 82,000 people across 3459 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:00:42 +0000 Church of England churches welcomed back 53,000 people on Back to Church Sunday 2009, a 71 per cent increase on 2008, as part of a growing initiative that saw more than 80,000 people come back to church across the UK on one Sunday in September.   Statistical returns from participating churches suggest that an average of 19 people returned to each church after receiving a personal invitation. They were greeted with an especially welcoming Sunday service on the day, fuelled by resources such as red ‘welcome’ T-shirts and subsidised ‘party packs’ of fairly-traded catering products, produced in partnership with Traidcraft.   The Church of England’s Head of Research and Statistics, the Revd Lynda Barley, says: “If the returns we have received from almost one fifth of the participating parishes are representative, the scaled up figures would suggest that 53,000 extra people attended Church of England churches that Sunday, among 82,000 coming back across the UK once other denominations are included.   “We know from local research that new attenders and the churches enjoy the Back to Church experience of church. Not only has the number of participating churches increased between 2008 and 2009 so that approximately 20 per cent of Church of England churches are now taking part, but the average number of extra people per church has grown, with participating churches each having welcomed an average of 19 extra people compared to 14 last year.”   This significant rise in the numbers drawn back to church by the event is revealed as organisers gather in London for a special event at St Martin in the Fields church, marking their success and beginning planning for next year’s Back to Church Sunday, 26th September 2010.   The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, Bishop of Lichfield, commented: “Back to Church isn't rocket science. It is, however, a way of putting a booster behind the welcome we offer people, and turning mission into less of a specialism. It turns evangelism into a simple invitation that any churchgoer can ask their friend or neighbour – ‘Will you come to church with me on Sunday?’   “What's really encouraging is the way that Back to Church is becoming a core part of the Church's DNA. Now a regular event for many churches, the buzz is catching, across churches of all traditions, and I expect to see even more churches getting involved in 2010.”   Parishes in each of the Church of England 44 dioceses were joined by congregations from Churches Together in Scotland, the Church in Wales, Baptist, Methodist, United Reformed, Salvation Army and Elim Pentecostal churches nationwide, and Anglican churches in Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Canada. Back to Church Sunday began in Manchester in 2004, spread to Wakefield Diocese in 2005, nine dioceses in 2006, 20 in 2007, and 38 in 2008, when an estimated 37,000 people came back across the UK.   Research by the Diocese of Lichfield after Back to Church Sunday in 2007 showed that, six months after the event, between 12 and 15 per cent of ‘returners’ had become regular members.   Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.    http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3459 Cyclist takes the road to Copenhagen Climate Conference 3437 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:57:56 +0000 Ben Bradley will be cycling 140 miles to the United Nations climate change conference at Copenhagen, with a clear message for world leaders: It’s not raining, it’s pouring – time to act on climate change.     Ben, Events Coordinator for the Methodist Church, will take to the road with a team of 28 cyclists from Christian Aid to cycle 140 miles in three days with Christian Aid. They will join a mass rally in Copenhagen on Saturday 12 December. While in Copenhagen, Ben will also deliver a letter of solidarity from the President of the British Methodist Conference to representative from Bangladesh.                                  You can follow Ben’s progress, find out more and even view his commute to work on his blog (watch out for attack of the pigeon!) at <a href="http://www.climatecycleride.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.climatecycleride.blogspot.com</a>.    “Our message is that we are behind the efforts to find a unifying agreement that sets us on the road to meet difficult carbon reduction targets,” said Ben. “People in developing nations are already feeling the effects of climate change and it is irresponsible for us to do anything other than strive for a radical solution to cut excess carbon dioxide levels.”   The riders will set off from London on December 9 and reach the Danish capital on the evening of December 12 following a ferry ride and three days of cycling through England and Denmark.   Ben added, “I am a bit worried about the cold, but I am more worried that there won’t be a deal on the cards when we get there and that the United Nations will opt for a less courageous package. I hope the presence of campaigners will put pressure on world leaders to reach the deal needed to make a difference.”   The Methodist Church, the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the United Reformed Church have urged the European Union to agree cuts of at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 and for these cuts to be made without extensive use of carbon offsets. The three churches have produced a report and study guide called Hope in God’s Future. The booklet, available from Methodist Publishing (<a href="http://www.mph.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.mph.org.uk</a>), takes the reader on a journey using the changing mood of a worship service as a framework for considering climate change and people’s effect on the planet.   Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.  http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3437 What the flip was Jesus if He wasn't an underdog? 3430 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:15:34 +0000 In an interview with the Damaris Trust, Martin Freeman the star of the film Nativity!, due to be released Friday Nov 27, says it really is 'the greatest story ever told' and offers some personal perspective on the nativity - 'what the flip was Jesus if He wasn't an underdog, you know what I mean? I've always loved the story because of that.'   Set in Coventry, the story centres round two primary schools (one Catholic state, one private) vying to stage the best nativity play in town. Nativity! gently explores themes of redemption, reconciliation and the deeper meaning of the season.   'If you are planning to take family, friends or even a school group to a pantomime this Christmas you should consider seeing Nativity! instead,' said Nick Pollard of the Damaris Trust. 'Instead of putting up with cheap sexual innuendos you can laugh and cry at one of the most engaging and heartwarming films of the year with some excellent themes to discuss and explore.'   Here’s what Martin Freeman, best known for his role in The Office, told Stephen Goddard from the Damaris Trust: <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">SG: With secular culture so prevalent, why is the school nativity play still so embedded in our culture? <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">MF: There's a reason why it's called the greatest story ever told. It's a really genuinely good story. Whether you believe in the ramifications of it or not I think it's a beautiful story with a really beautiful start - the idea that the most humble is the most exalted. That's not a bad idea for me. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">Is organised religion the bad end of that original story? <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">You know, sometimes I think when people have a go at organised religion that's not necessarily people who have been reading Chomsky and come to this great idea by a lot of research. I've been looking into this and I think a lot of it is laziness. I think organised religion, organised anything, requires commitment and requires an engagement with something and a lot of time we don't want to commit. Of course, if you talk about the Spanish Inquisition, that's probably the bad end of organised religion. But organised means there's more than 10 people involved, you know what I mean? There were more than 10 people involved because it was an idea people liked. I don't see how you get round it. Do you want disorganised religion? I think everything's got to be personal, anyway. Everything has to be your own personal relationship with something. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">Much of the film revolves round the conflict between your character Mr Maddens - a frustrated, under-achieving, cynical primary school teacher and Mr Poppy, his child-like classroom assistant, played by Marc Wootton. Mr Poppy inspires and excites the children while your character calls them 'useless'. Perhaps an underlying theme in the film echoes what Jesus said: 'Unless you become as a little child - like Mr Poppy - you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven' - we become too burdened with life to enjoy it... <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">Yes, I guess there's a reason, I suppose, in film language as well. Who do we like? We like innocence and wide-eyed people. We join Maddens at the start of the film where he doesn't think anything is possible. He thinks he's useless. He thinks the kids are useless, so they're not up to the job. Mr Poppy, comes in like a bomb, planted in the classroom. He thinks everything is possible. He is definitely the extra child in the room. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">There is another interesting parallel with the biblical narrative. Your character, reluctantly, takes these 'useless' kids and turns them into crack troops. Jesus and the disciples? <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">I hadn't seen it like that but the reason for me that any of that stuff, the religiosity, has validity is that there some quite good ideas and some quite good things to give to people - like the idea of redemption; the idea that we can turn something around. We don't even see those things in religious terms. They are human things, they are part of our language and our culture. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">If we are watching films who do we get behind? The underdog. What the flip was Jesus if we wasn't an underdog, born in a bleedin' manger, you know what I mean? I've always loved the story because of that. Because whether you believe or not that is a more succinct lesson about how we should be looking at the world than anything else. The trouble is we stop looking at the world like that when we take it out of that context. We don't then look at a homeless person and think what can I do for you? We think he must deserve it in some way. It's hard to take out those parallels from something specific and put them into the wider world. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">Myra Angelo said a great thing. She said that when people say "I'm a Christian" I say "What, already? How have you managed that?" It's the hardest thing in the world to be. How did you manage that? Tell me the secret because if you really apply that to the world, that's a tough gig, man. That's a really tough gig. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">Damaris are making available clips from the film with ideas for school assemblies and church services. Visit: <a href="http://www.damaris.org/nativity" target="_blank">http://www.damaris.org/nativity</a> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">  http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3430 Christian charity produces worship resource for churches on World AIDS Day 3420 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:16:09 +0000 As World AIDS Day approaches on 1st December, the Christian HIV charity Mildmay International is urging churches to take time during Advent to think about the 33 million people living with HIV globally by downloading their free worship resources.   Mildmay International, who have been providing care for people living with HIV for over 21 years, designed the booklet to help congregations to think, pray, and respond to the issues raised by this illness.  Downloadable at <a href="http://www.mildmay.org/">www.mildmay.org</a> it also contains a full sermon, written by Rev Andrew White, a Baptist Minister, and is themed to be used on the first Sunday of Advent (29th November), with a New Testament reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for that day.   Rev White said,  ‘the God who came for the outcasts, the weak, the poor in spirit, the sick, and the needy, is the same God who calls us to prepare to accept Christ at Christmas..  Then, with compassion, we can respond by reaching out to those who need His love too’.   Mildmay was originally established by an Anglican Priest, the Rev William Pennefather, in 1866 to deal with the Cholera epidemic in the slums of London’s East End.  Over a century later in 1988, Mildmay opened Europe’s first dedicated HIV and AIDS unit at a time when there was still a lot of misunderstanding about the disease.    Fi McLachlan, CEO of Mildmay International believes there is a parallel between the stigmas Mary faced, to that experienced by people living with HIV today: ‘sometimes people feel ostracised or outside of what’s considered the norm.  For Mary, she was facing very abnormal circumstances, and couldn’t have known what expecting the son of God would mean or what the journey would be like.  People living with HIV don’t know where their journey is going to go either or what their future will have in store’.   Although HIV is not the focus of media attention it once was, it has certainly not gone away.  Every minute of every day a child under the age of fifteen is infected with HIV.  For every two people on antiretroviral drugs, another five become newly infected, and in the UK there are over 7,000 new infections each year.    Mildmay’s HIV Hospital in Shoreditch and it’s programmes in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Eastern Europe form part of a global effort to tackle this devastating illness.  Mildmay hopes that World AIDS Day will enable churches to partner with them in providing a Christian response to HIV and AIDS.   To download the worship booklet or for more information please go to the World AIDS Day link at <a href="http://www.mildmay.org">www.mildmay.org</a>   Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3420 Christian organisations welcome freedom of speech breakthrough in British Parliament 3404 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:50:53 +0000 The UK Evangelical Alliance and the Christian Institute have welcomed the British Parliament’s decision to keep a clause preserving freedom of speech in the Coroners and Justice Bill as a careful balancing of competing human rights.   The House of Lords this week resisted pressure from the House of Commons to remove a clarifying clause, introduced by former Home Secretary Lord Waddington, to preserve freedom of speech as part of the ban on incitement to hatred on grounds of sexual conduct.   The clause maintains that discussion and criticism of sexual conduct is not, in itself, tantamount to inciting hatred.   Although the Government had whipped MPs to take the clause out, the House of Lords voted again by a substantial majority to keep it in and the Government reluctantly accepted their decision.   Don Horrocks, Head of Public Affairs at the Alliance , gave oral evidence to the House of Commons Committee in 2007, at the start of the lengthy parliamentary process relating to this Bill.   He argued that while incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation was clearly unacceptable, the law needed to clarify exactly what type of speech was allowed without creating a climate of fear of investigation or prosecution.   Dr Horrocks said in response to the Government’s decision: “We’re very grateful and relieved. This debate is, and always was, about one thing – free speech.   “We are delighted that Parliament has recognised the need to ensure that, while the evils of incitement to hatred are effectively tackled, society continues to place a high value on freedom of speech.”   He added: “The clause means police will be able to deal effectively with unacceptable hate incidents without coming under pressure to investigate and pursue trivial or malicious allegations against people who are engaging in legitimate debate.   “Freedom of expression is a fundamental civil liberty, present in the world’s leading human rights declarations. Free speech is central to democracy, academia and other fields which require the exchange and testing of ideas. In particular, Christians rely on this liberty to be able to freely preach the Gospel.”   Simon Calvert, Deputy Director (Public Affairs) at The Christian Institute, called it a “victory for common sense”.   He said: “After many well known cases involving heavy handed policing of Christians, Parliament has decided to protect free speech.   “The free speech clause simply makes clear that which the Government has always accepted – that criticism of homosexual conduct is not, in itself, a crime. “Surely that is a reasonable safeguard in any democratic society that cares about freedom of expression. This is a victory for common sense.” http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3404 Hold fast to hope for Prisons Week 3380 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:13:05 +0000 Churches across Great Britain are being encouraged to hold special services and events to mark Prisons Week from 15-21 November.   The theme for Prisons Week this year is Hold Fast to Hope, encouraging Christians to focus on real stories of hope and redemption from around the world.   Revd David Gamble, President of the Methodist Conference, said; “Prisons week reminds us of the harsh realities of crime and imprisonment, but it also speaks of hope in dark places. This is a time to pray for those in prison and those affected by crime as we seek a better future for all. It's also a time to give thanks for and remember the contribution made by chaplains to the lives of those living and working in prisons.”   The Prisons Week website (<a href="http://www.prisonsweek.org/" target="_blank">www.prisonsweek.org</a>) offers a range of free resources, including prayers, sketches and stories of hope from the UK and further afield.   Revd Alan Ogier, Superintendent Methodist and Free Church Chaplain to the Prison Service, said; “The Christian message is one of real hope for all – not just shallow optimism. This is a solid belief that no one is beyond redemption, that change can and does happen.” http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3380 Orphan Sunday Challenge to UK Christians 3373 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:40:55 +0000 The Founder of Mercy Project International Jeff Thompson will be challenging UK Christians this coming orphan Sunday November 8th to respond to the orphan crisis in Ukraine and beyond.   As special Orphan Sunday services take place across America and around the world November 8th, Jeff will address a number of churches in Chester, North West England, encouraging them to partner with Mercy Project International in caring for the fatherless.    He believes one of the most effective responses to the orphan crisis is through foster care: “We believe the solution to the orphan crisis is the development of Christian foster families. That means Christian families in local Ukrainian churches who step up and say, ‘Yes – use our family to be part of the solution.’   “It takes faith for any family to take in a needy child. Most often, we don’t want to disrupt our family life by the uncertainties of taking in a lost child. Yet we too were lost until Christ found us. Our goal is to raise awareness of this issue, and find sponsors in the UK and USA who will financially assist Ukrainian families to take in orphans.”   Mercy Project International is also looking to recruit many UK Christians to become part of their child sponsorship programme. Jeff says personally sponsoring children himself has been an extremely fulfilling experience: “One side of sponsorship is the knowledge in your own life, as a sponsor, that you are doing something to help a child in a poor country. “My wife and I sponsor three children with Eastern European Outreach and one student in college. EEO has a program where they offer scholarships to committed Christian students who desire to obtain higher education. We have been so blessed to be able to visit these kids, and student, see their progress, and see the hope they have for the future. “It encourages our hearts to see their hope and expectation of what God is going to do for them in the future. For needy children and their families to experience God’s hope and presence in the midst of their dreary lives, that to me is a huge success story. We thank God for our staff in Ukraine like Irina and Yuri Skrypnyk who are committed to seeing God’s purposes fulfilled in the lives of so many needy families.” Jeff Thompson along with his colleagues from Ukraine Irina and Yuri will be speaking at a number of meetings in the UK as well as doing media interviews throughout next week.  Jeff’s hope is that many will be envisioned to serve the poor and needy: “I hope that many UK Christians will catch a vision that they too can be used by God in a foreign country. That they can truly make a difference by choosing to “get out” of the church pew and “get in” to this world and serve Christ! “It is time for all of us to take what we have learned in church, and go out and serve others with the great knowledge we have gained. Faith without works is dead. I don’t want a dead faith. The Kingdom of God is real, alive, and we serve Him by helping others receive justice, receive mercy, and experience an answer to their prayer. I believe God wants us to be His answer to the prayer of the poor.” <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">For more details go to: <a href="http://www.mercyproject.org.uk/">www.mercyproject.org.uk</a> or <a href="http://www.eeo.org/">www.eeo.org</a> http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3373 Bishop encourages commuters to get to work on prayer 3360 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:07:24 +0000 The Church of England has published a book of prayers and reflections to help frazzled commuters prepare for the winter ahead – and then unwind on the way home. To mark the launch, the bishop who prepared the book has recorded an extract for a special podcast, downloadable from the Church of England website, to help commuters get into the habit through their iPods <a href="http://audio.cofemedia.org.uk/synod/cofepodcastcommuters.mp3" target="_blank">http://audio.cofemedia.org.uk/synod/cofepodcastcommuters.mp3</a> The Rt Revd Christopher Herbert, newly-retired Bishop of St Albans, wrote the book after reflecting on the “turbulence” of the modern working day, beginning with the search for a space to park: “It might have been dark, wet and miserable,” suggests the bishop, “and then, once on the train, the carriage was packed. It’s not exactly a stress-free or easy way to begin the day, is it?” On the way home, commuters have to deal with “crowds in the street hurrying, heads down, eager to get to the station or the bus. The subdued hubbub in the station concourse, and then an infuriatingly unruffled and disembodied voice saying, ‘We apologise for the late arrival of…’. It’s a turbulent way to live.” All this, the bishop argues, means “some of the things that might give you a moment of peace or a time for reflection are crowded out”. In Pocket Prayers for Commuters, published today by Church House Publishing, the bishop sets out a month-long set of brief reflections and prayers for the morning rush and evening exodus, drawing on the idea that in spite of all the hassle and stress of commuting, “real peace is waiting to be found”. “Put it another way,” he writes in his introduction, “suppose that God himself is actually present with you, waiting to be discovered; that still, small voice hidden inside all the turbulence that you and your fellow-commuters face each day?” Bishop Christopher has collected together material for five weeks of morning and evening prayer for each day of the working week, with a prayer, Bible reading and reflection for the way into work, focusing on how readers can get into the right frame of mind for the day ahead. The reflections are written to prompt Christians to consider some of the big questions that it is easy to forget in the grind of the daily commute, including: ·                                         The need for patience when working out what God is calling us to do; ·                                         The need to face up to the things in our lives that ‘imprison’ us and lead to inaction; ·                                         What we can do to increase a spirit of generosity in society;   For the journey home, the book offers another chance to rest and take stock, with a further Bible reading followed by opportunity for reflection on the day and the chance to bring to God those things have “left you uneasy or with a troubled conscience” through the form of a confessional prayer. Bishop Christopher’s special podcast is available at: <a href="http://cofe.anglican.org/podcast" target="_blank">http://cofe.anglican.org/podcast</a>  http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3360 Ukrainian ministry leaders prepare to challenge UK Christians to respond to orphan crisis 3350 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:42:33 +0000 The leaders of Eastern European Outreach in Ukraine, Yuri and Irina Skrypnik are coming to the UK on a media and speaking tour next week, starting on Sunday November 8th for Orphan Sunday, to encourage Christians to partner with them in resolving the orphan crisis in their country.   “Crisis – is the most frequent word now. For me that’s something that comes and goes. The orphan situation in our country is more serious than that,” explained Irina Skrypnik EEO’s Ukraine director.   “There are over 100,000 orphans in Ukraine, 115 orphanages and around 1,000 children are left in delivery houses every year with countless numbers living on the streets.”   Irina says one of the ways they are helping resolve this crisis is by supporting foster families as well as sending mission teams into the orphanages: “The foster family movement started in Ukraine about 10 years ago. It’s growing but very slowly because of lack of government support. But there are many families who want to take children to their homes, into a loving environment. EEO supports 15 foster families in different parts of Ukraine.   “We also work with four orphanages where we send mission teams, who help with some basic needs, teach children life skills and run some other programs so they won’t be helpless when they leave the orphanage.”    Mercy Project International is a new charity being established in the UK in partnership with Eastern European Outreach.  Irina says she’s excited to have the opportunity to come to the UK for the first time to help provide ministry opportunities for this new organisation: “We’ve been coordinating Christian camps in Ukraine since 1996 and it’s one of our largest international projects. Mercy Mission teams from the UK coming to the camps will have great opportunities to be team leaders for Ukrainian children, to impact the lives of more than 300 Ukrainian souls. It’s also a great way to make friends with over 40 Ukrainian youth leaders working in the camps. It’s a great opportunity and I’ll try to do my best to tell UK Christians about it.   “Sponsoring a child – it’s a cornerstone of all our work in Ukraine. Our sponsorship programs pay for the essential needs of the child, but with the care of EEO it turns into many useful projects – such as medical, ministry centres, groceries,  and Christmas and birthday presents. So sponsorship will do far more than just basic needs. It will give a child a future and a life worth living. I hope to tell more about these projects during our visit.    “EEO has been working in Eastern Europe for over 30 years. It has great experience and a well developed network of people and programs, so I think this partnership will is of mutual value under God’s umbrella.”   As well as EEO’s camp ministry and child sponsorship program, Irina says they’ve also developed medical and educational initiatives: “Many lives have been changed through our medical program. We helped provide funding for two surgeries on brain tumors, four surgeries on legs for children with cerebral palsy and many others.   “Also through our scholarship program we support 50 young people who are now strong Christians and good students. Sixteen students already graduated from university and they work in different fields – from cooks to the vice director of an international school. Many of these students started just as small children on our camps from needy families whose parents never heard about God.”   Irina and Yuri will be sharing about their ministry in a number of church meetings Sunday November 8 – Thursday November 12, and will be doing media interviews for UCB Radio and BBC Radio Merseyside.  They hope many will respond to their country’s great need to help their children: “I hope to find many more sponsors for our projects. All of them help children to live in a loving family, stay healthy, know the Lord and get some education.   “We have big plans for mission teams from the UK to come to Ukraine. By raising funds and visiting our country young people help to support our children who often lack love, live in poverty and need God. Every young person is talented and we’d like them to use their talents to help vulnerable children in Ukraine. And I really hope that it will be long term relationships!”   For more details on how to partner with Eastern European Outreach and Mercy Project International go to: <a href="http://www.eeo.org/">www.eeo.org</a> and <a href="http://www.mercyproject.org.uk/">www.mercyproject.org.uk</a> http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3350 UCB’s historic UK national breakthrough 3335 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:54:43 +0000 United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) has confirmed it will begin broadcasting nationally across the UK on DAB digital radio from Dec 1.         The Christian media organisation which had previously been broadcasting to most major cities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on DAB, has now signed contracts and been granted Ofcom approval, to broadcast nationally across the UK including in Northern Ireland.   “This is an extraordinary dream come true,” said Ian Mackie, CEO and founder of UCB UK.     “We have had a 23-year-old dream and vision to broadcast nationally across the UK and it’s an overwhelming and humbling day to finally see that dream come to fruition.”   Speaking live on UCB UK this morning Ian described to the listeners the moment he was told by an Ofcom official that they’d been granted the national license: “I made the phone call in fear and trepidation not knowing which way it was going to go. When the official told me our application had been approved I shouted down the phone ‘Praise God.’ Finally after 23 years God has brought to fruition His plan and His purpose for UCB to go national and provide Christian radio to the whole nation.”   “It is totally surreal at the moment,” added Ian who was trying to take in the historic moment of what he’d been dreaming of for 23 years.   “I don’t think it will really sink in until I actually drive into some place which have not got us on DAB at this point in time like in Scotland or the South Coast of England, or Norfolk or Derbyshire. That has always been the vision that no matter where people live in the UK they can actually tune in on the one frequency and pick up UCB Christian radio.”   Ian also made a point of thanking the listeners for their prayers and support: “Thank you for your faithfulness.  I know many people who have been supporters and prayer warriors for this ministry right back into the mid and late 80s and they have carried the vision along with me and the joy is as much for them as it is for me and our charity here at this present point in time.  So all I can say is thank you.”   During the past 23 years, UCB’s CEO said there were many times when he thought his vision would never be fulfilled: “When you’ve carried a vision for so long, the Bible talks about hope deferred and when you hope and you hope and you’re standing in faith and believing in God and it doesn’t happen you think maybe I’ve got it wrong.  Yes there’s been many, many occasions, but you’ve just got to pick yourself up again and know it will come to pass.”   UCB was first set up as a charity in 1986, but back then there was no legislation or technology for national or even local Christian radio: “So that’s when I got very despondent but I heard a very clear word from God. He said ‘the government may not see the need for it, the technology might not be there, Christians may not see the need for it, but I want national Christian radio established in the UK, because I love the people of the UK. I am going to visit the UK in revival power and this revival is going to be so big and so vast and so expansive that it’s going to impact the whole of society and I want national Christian radio to be there so people can tune in and hear my word and have their joy and peace restored and begin walking by faith.’   “So when God spoke that word to me back in 1986 I said ‘Okay Lord if this is your plan and purpose, we’re going to stick with it and see this through to fruition and now from the 1st of December that vision will be totally fulfilled.”   Ian said to get to this breakthrough it took four changes in broadcasting legislation and the introduction of DAB digital radio it made the technology possible for national Christian radio, which he believes is very timely by looking at the current state of the UK: “All of a sudden from 2007 to where we are now in 2009 we started off covering two thirds of the country on DAB digital radio and now we’ll be covering the whole of the UK.  The pace is picking up.    “You just have to look at the state of our nation, the credit crunch, the MPs expenses scandals. People don’t trust banks anymore or the government.  Their trust has been eroded in absolutely everything and now is the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the one who is faithful and can be trusted, the one who will never ever fail you or disappoint you, will now have access to the airwaves right across this whole nation.   “So for me if God is faithful in the first promise which is to cause national Christian radio to become a reality then he will be faithful in the second promise, which is to bring revival to the whole of our nation.”   Note: United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) has five radio stations, two of which broadcast on DAB digital radio – UCB UK will broadcast nationally from Dec 1, 2009.   UCB Inspirational will continue to broadcast across large areas of England and Wales on DAB digital radio.  Other UCB stations and UCB TV are available on Sky, Virgin Media and the internet at ucbmedia.co.uk   UCB provides thought-provoking, life-changing resources to churches, Christians and people seeking a better understanding of the Christian faith, currently reaching more than a million people across the UK and Ireland.   Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3335 Russian Ministries summer camps impact more than 8,000 youngsters 3310 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:14:21 +0000 This summer, more than 8,000 children and teenagers throughout Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus had the opportunity to discover God’s love.   Thanks to Russian Ministries Schools Without Walls students, Next Generation Christian leaders and local churches, 111 camps gave orphans and at risk children a life-changing vacation.   A Place of Love, Light and Peace   “No one knows better about the violence that rocks the Northern Caucasus region than my friend and colleague, Pastor George and the team from our ministry center in North Ossetia,” explains Russian Ministries Senior Vice President Sergey Rakhuba.   In July, 15 young Next Generation Christians drove to Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, to hold a summer camp for Chechen children.   The day they arrived in Grozny, a bomb had exploded near a downtown concert hall, killing seven people and wounding many more. The next night, as the camp staff settled down at their campsite, which is by a natural reservoir, a powerful explosion went off across the reservoir, and rattled the windows of the camp buildings.   A few days later, rumors flew throughout Grozny that three landmines had been planted in the central marketplace where camp staff bought food every day for the campers. By God’s grace, the landmines were discovered in time, and no one was hurt.   Sergey says: “But God was in control, protecting these young Christian leaders, and in their own words: ‘The team was focused on doing it’s job, which was to bring the love, light and peace of Christ into the lives of Chechens. With faith and hope that the Lord would shield us from all evil, we worked toward this all ten days of camp.’”   He added: “On behalf of my brothers and sisters who boldly proclaim Christ in this turbulent region, thank you for your support of the evangelistic summer camps that took place in Chechyna, Ingushetia, South Ossetia and other regions in the Northern Caucasus this summer.”   Many children who come to Russian Ministries evangelistic summer camps from Ingushetia, South Ossetia and Chechyna have already endured more violence and unrest than most adults will experience their entire lives.   That’s why young Next Generation Christian leaders worked at making their summer camp in Grozny a place of love, hope and peace. And God blessed their efforts.   As camp coordinator Alexander Plukci observed: “The camp program was full of games, skits, laughter and Bible lessons. I also saw many children spending a lot of time talking with their counselors, sharing their worries, joys and problems.”   This summer camp also provides young Next Generation Christians opportunities to build bridges to the Muslim families, who send their children to camp.   ”When I came to this camp,” explained Albina, “everyone at home was very angry with me, because they found out that you are Christians. But now everyone wants you to stay in Grozny. Come visit our school in the fall. I wish you joy, health and peace from my whole heart! May God be with you.”     Sasha’s Greatest Discovery   In Moldova, cancer is one of the major causes of death. Tragically, early detection and treatment are rare, and children with cancer have a low survival rate.   Young Next Generation Christians in Moldova wanted their evangelistic summer camp to be a place of hope and joy for these children and their caregivers. The camp’s theme for the week was, ‘Searching for Great Discoveries,’ and 15-year-old Sasha was about to make the greatest discovery of his life—God’s love.   Battling brain cancer, Sasha lived with his grandmother, and one by one, his friends and classmates stopped hanging out with him as they heard he had cancer.   Once friendly and outgoing, Sasha was now hardened to life and people. When he arrived at camp, he ignored everyone.   One of the camp leaders decided to do something about the barrier Sasha had erected, and asked the teenager for some help . . . and God’s love began to melt the heart of this hurting teenager.   The next day, Sasha talked with the other campers, and helped with activities and games for the parents. The last day of camp, Sasha confessed that he hadn’t planned on making friends at camp, but he did.   His grandmother added, “Thank you for inviting us here. At this camp, I learned that when things are very hard God is nearby and He hears us. We will definitely attend church when we return home.”   This camp had a warm, open atmosphere   Sergey had been to enough camps to last him a lifetime, and hated every single one. When Sergey was invited to one of Russian Ministries’ evangelistic camps in Moldova, his first reaction was to say, “No. I thought it would be just like all the other camps, but my mother convinced me to go.”   It only took a couple of days for Sergey to settle in, and realize that this camp was different from the other camps he had attended. “This camp had a warm, open atmosphere,” explained Sergey.   The fourth day of camp, Sergey picked up a Bible for the first time in his young life, and read the first six chapters of the gospel of Matthew. “I am so grateful to this camp for changing me, and I think for the better,” said Sergey.   “I will keep coming to camp until they kick me out!”      For more details on Russian Ministries summer camp ministry go to: <a href="http://www.russian-ministries.org">www.russian-ministries.org</a> Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3310 The Wave soaks London's streets in prayer 3304 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:59:47 +0000 National church leaders took to the streets of London last week, to prayer-walk the route of December’s The Wave march for climate justice. Steve Clifford, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, joined with Matthew Frost of Tearfund, Roger Forster of Ichthus, Dr Richard Vautrey of the Methodist Church and David Reed of the Salvation Army, to walk part of the route that thousands of campaigners will be marching at The Wave in December. The Wave, which will be the UK’s biggest ever climate change demonstration and is organised by the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, will start with a church service at Westminster Central Hall with the Archbishop of Canterbury after which Christians of all denominations will pour out of the church and join the march and rally to campaign for climate justice. Thousands of people will join together, wearing blue, to demonstrate a wave of support for the UN climate talks due to take place the following week in Copenhagen.  ‘We know that climate change is already affecting people in the poorest countries of the world, who have done the least to cause it,’ says Matthew Frost, Chief Executive of Tearfund.  ‘Around the world, local churches are supporting people to adapt to the effects of climate change and reduce the risk of potential natural disasters, and it’s important that we as Christians support them in prayer and campaigning action so that we see a strong and fair climate deal in Copenhagen.’ UK churches are already gearing up to take part. ‘It’s vital that we as Christians recognise our responsibility to speak up for justice and unite on the big issues that we believe are on God’s heart,’ says Steve Clifford of the Evangelical Alliance. ‘The Wave is an amazing opportunity for us to express our commitment to and identification with the world’s poorest people. I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved.’ The Wave is organised by the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, of which Tearfund is a part, and takes place on Saturday 5 December. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3304 Russian Ministries launches ambitious Project Hope Christmas appeal 3284 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:27:09 +0000 Russian Ministries is appealing for Western Christians to help provide a message of hope to needy children across Russia this Christmas from war-ravaged South Ossetia to the remote far north to the crowded streets of Moscow.    The charity’s senior vice president Sergey Rakhuba launched this year’s Project Hope appeal by setting an ambitious target: “Last year we distributed 30,000 gift-filled boxes, which include children’s Bibles. This year we’re planning to deliver 50,000 that we can make available together with the evangelical churches to at risk children throughout Russia.”  Sergey says they first launched Project Hope three years ago as a creative way to avoid growing restrictions by the Russian government on Western humanitarian aid: “Project Hope is a partnership with the evangelical church in Russia in order to reach out to as many at risk children as possible during Christmas time.  Three years ago the Russian government put lots of restrictions on charity aid that was coming in from abroad especially from the UK and the United States.    “While Samaritans Purse still ships hundreds of thousands of their shoeboxes to the former USSR countries and around the world, three years ago they were restricted some sending them to Russia.  In response Russian Ministries approached the evangelical churches in Russia, who were receiving these shoeboxes and said ‘because of the Russian government lots of needy children won’t get anything this Christmas and why don’t we try and still do something?’   “So we as Russian Ministries with our supporters made empty boxes, we printed Bibles and we sent them to evangelical churches across Russia.  They filled those boxes with all kinds of goodies that kids love and made them available to children.   “We are also grateful that Samaritans Purse is still partnering with us on by financially supporting this project to have national churches involved as well as helping orphans.   “So we as Russian Ministries with our supporters made empty boxes, we printed Bibles and we sent them to evangelical churches across Russia.  They filled those boxes with all kinds of goodies that kids love and made them available to children.”   Sergey says as well bringing a message of hope through these gifts to the children it also provides the Russian churches and particularly their youth with a tremendous outreach opportunity: “This project actually teaches national evangelical churches to participate and give sacrificially. Despite the economic turndown, these people that don’t have much sacrificially give to provide this gift of hope available to children who need to hear the story of Jesus.      “This is one of our most effective outreach programmes. These evangelical churches, especially young Christian leaders, that we train through our School Without Walls programme, deliver those boxes with a special outreach programme available to children in all different locations across Russia.”      Sergey is urging Western Christians to make small sacrifices to help them reach their ambitious goal: “I encourage people to look forward to share what they have over this Christmas with needy children in Russia.  If we don’t give the $2 to provide Bibles for them there will probably be opportunities missed to tell them the story of Jesus.  To give $2 towards this project to provide one Bible, that’s a great opportunity.  People could miss a lunch at McDonalds and can probably give $10, which will provide 5 Bible for needy children in Russia.  But if people can give more than that and help Russian Ministries to make those boxes and Bibles available and help with the distribution costs, we would greatly appreciate it.”      Sergey explains how important it is to share the message of hope to these children at Christmas, especially during such challenging times in Russia:  “As soon as children particularly in orphanages hear this story of Jesus they start smiling.  Despite anything of what the Kremlin can tell you, there is lots of need in Russia. Children at risk are the future of Russia and we want them, through this simple but effective and strategic approach to learn how to be better citizens, how to become Christians and how to change their lives in order to change communities, their country and society for a better future.”    For more details go to: <a href="http://www.russian-ministries.org">www.russian-ministries.org</a> Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3284 Famous Christians Lend Their Names to Anti-Persecution Campaign 3256 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:12:55 +0000 Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York in the north of England is the latest in a long line of well-known UK Christians to show support for a new campaign backing persecuted Christians Orissa, India. FaithwithoutFear.org is a joint campaign from Premier Christian Media and charity Open Doors.  Their aim is to affect change for 50,000 Christians in Orissa, India, who were forced from their homes over a year ago by calling for 50,000 letters to be sent to the Indian Prime Minister calling for change. "In August 2008, a wave of communal violence engulfed Christians in Orissa," explained Premier's CEO, Peter Kerridge.   He added: "Three hundred villages and 4,000 homes were destroyed. Over 120 people lost their lives and 50,000 were driven from their homes.   "A year on, thousands of Christians are still displaced, many of them continue to face hardship and persecution. They cannot return home because they fear for their lives or fear the threat of forced conversion. Their situation is desperate."   <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York told Premier Christian Radio: "I will always support justice for those who are persecuted for their faith around the globe. That is why I am supporting the Faith Without Fear Campaign that seeks to raise awareness of the suffering of Christians in Orissa state, India. I wish Open Doors and Premier Christian Media - and all those who sign up for justice - every success with this campaign." Dr Sentamu stands alongside the Bishop of Northampton, Peter Doyle, Christian leader and speaker Gerald Coates, director of Share Jesus International, Andy Frost and author and speaker Fiona Castle in support of the FaithwithoutFear.org campaign. The charities are looking for 120 well known Christians to support the campaign, representing the 120 people that lost their lives during the conflict. In addition, they hope to raise 50,000 letters to the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, calling for change. More details of the campaign can be found at <a href="http://www.faithwithoutfear.org">www.faithwithoutfear.org</a>    Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3256 UK Churches Called to Play a Vital Part in Fighting Global Poverty 3230 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:18:43 +0000 As churches across the country prepare to mark Micah Sunday, a new resource has been released to help churches fight global poverty.   More than 100 churches are going to be using sermon themes, creative prayer and worship ideas to present practical ways and engage with the issues that face the world’s poorest people on 18th October. The ‘Play your part’ resource calls on each Christian to recognise and realise the key part they must play in the fight against this worldwide poverty and is based on 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul likens the Church to the body. This flexible four minute video, with accompanying booklet, inspires the average Joe in a church that they have the power to make a huge difference by doing their bit by maybe living more simply, getting engaged with their local MP or weaving prayers of justice into their church. The four themes address practical areas: Get connected, Live generously, Raise your decibel levels and Stand in solidarity. Andy Clasper , Executive Director of Micah Challenge said, “There is tremendous power in the realisation that we are connected to others across the other side of the world and form part of the same body - all made in God’s image. We have a critical role to play. “Even if we only feel our actions are as tiny as a mustard seed, collectively God can use them to bring transformation and justice to his world. Play your part is about sharing the burden and being people who hunger for justice together.” The material provides meditations, activity ideas, inspiration for talks and interactive prayer guidance. One thing that churches are encouraged to do is to build on existing links or create new links with a community in a low-income country, either through missionary presence or a formal twinning arrangement. This kind of partnership helps meet physical as well as spiritual needs.   Micah Challenge UK are gearing up for action in 2010, marking ten years since nations promised to get serious about poverty, when they agreed to the Millennium Development Goals. There will only be five years left to make the promise a reality by 2015.   Micah Challenge, internationally, consists of a global campaign by Christians in over 40 countries to remind world leaders that time is running out to meet these goals designed to ensure food, medical care, clean water, access to markets and primary education for all.  <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Micah Sunday resources are available here: <a href="http://www.micahchallenge.org.uk/micahsunday/" target="_blank">http://www.micahchallenge.org.uk/micahsunday/</a> <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3230 Church of Scotland urges UK’s political parties to remember God’s concern for the poor and vulnerable as they draw up measures to tackle debt racked up by the credit crunch 3216 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:27:43 +0000 The Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council said it recognised that “hard measures” would have to be taken to reduce the UK’s debt following the credit crunch. At its party conference this week, the Conservatives pledged to reassess the fitness of those who claim to be unable to work and cut incapacity benefits by £25 a week if they win the next General Election. They also confirmed plans to raise the pension age for men to 66 by 2016. The Council called on the Government to ensure cuts were “proportionate and bearable”, saying that it had listened with “increasing concern” to the talk on cuts from the political parties at their conferences in recent weeks. It expressed particular concern at policies that would affect the income of lower paid workers, people fleeing persecution and those reliant on benefits. The Council urged the Government to recognise God’s “bias towards the poor and the vulnerable” in its approach to difficulties brought on by the credit crunch. The parties, it said, should make protection of the poor and vulnerable their top priority as they respond to present challenges. Convener of the Church and Society Council, the Rev Ian Galloway, said: “It is the mark of a civilised society that we support those in greatest need, not attack them when times get tough, because they are the easiest target.” Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3216 Pastor Benny Hinn addresses London crowds via live video link after British government refuses him entry into the UK 3199 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:39:02 +0000 Benny Hinn was denied entry into the UK for this past weekend’s Fire Conference and Miracle Service at the ExCeL centre in London, yet according to his website, bennyhinn.org, live video links allowed him to still minister to those in attendance.   Border Agency officials turned back Mr Hinn, who landed by private jet, because he had failed to bring a valid sponsorship certificate from his church, required under rules introduced last November.   The Pentecostal preacher, who was due to perform at the three day event, flew on to Paris, and attempted – and failed – to regain entry to Britain via Luton.   His website explained that a recent immigration regulation caused the blocked entry and the large crowds met the announcement during the services with disappointment.  But they continued to express widespread enthusiasm for Bishop John Francis, who stepped in to preach each service, and for the live links that allowed Pastor Benny to both explain the unfortunate situation and to minister during the Miracle Service.   “When I landed in the United Kingdom, I was informed that under British law, there is now a recently passed regulation called a Tier 5 Concession, which meant that I could not enter the country to preach without a visa,” explained Mr Hinn.   He added:  “Attorneys sought to work out this challenge, and the officials treated me very well, yet in the end, the result was that I could not participate in the conference or Miracle Service in person.”   “I am not an attorney; I am a man of God. I have always obeyed the laws of men, and I will continue to obey the laws of men to the minutest details. I ask the people who attended the services to forgive me for not having known prior to my arrival that such a law existed in the United Kingdom.   “Even though neither I nor my staff was informed of this regulation, we are still responsible in the sight of God to obey the laws of men. I promise you, my partners—and I promise you before God—this will not happen again. You have my promise and my word as one who fears the Lord that this situation will be corrected and it shall not happen again!”   Plans are already in place to get the necessary visas for Pastor Benny Hinn to be able to come and preach the Gospel in the United Kingdom. Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3199 Christian Business Leaders tackle financial crisis in prayer 3187 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:14:15 +0000 As the UK continues to feel the bite of the financial crisis, Christian business leaders from the across the North West of England, gathered last week to urgently pray for some of the key issues effecting the business community in their region.   The event at the Foundry conference centre in Widnes, was the first ever gathering organised by the recently formed North West Christian Business Forum which aims to help business leader become a more effective Kingdom voice in the regional marketplace.    As people began gathering for this significant evening, one of the founders of the forum John Manwell told me how God had first given them the vision to launch this initiative: “It really began at the beginning of 2008 when we received a really clear sense from the Lord that in the autumn of last year there was going to be an economic crisis.  So we took on a stand at a business conference just to present the Kingdom of God and it was a faith initiative.    “Hardly anyone really wanted to be part of such a mad idea but we made a declaration that the kingdom of God needs to be visible in the market place.  This business conference happened exactly in the middle of the crunch when everything was collapsing and shares were falling by the hundreds. Each day there we were doing this conference presentation called Together For Transformation and out of that grew a lot of interest in the sense that God is calling Christians back into the marketplace.    “We started talking to people about whether we should do something larger and broader across the North West of England and everyone we spoke to was enthusiastic so we thought we’d better get on with it?”   John says he’s personally faced the reality of the challenges of the financial crisis himself: “My background is as an engineer and I worked for United Utilities as a manager of increasing levels over 12 years from technical to general management.  I got to a position where I was managing hundreds of people and other managers and I found myself pushing paper and having less and less time with people but greater responsibility.    “Three years ago I left to start my own business and since then I’ve been working with business people and entrepreneurs to help develop their business and their vision and their team working.    “For me the challenge has been that people are immediately looking to that service when they’re trying to save money.  There are lots of people out there that want to do team building.  I’ve got clients that want to start projects or initiatives with their teams but right now they’re saying ‘we’re just waiting to getting paid’ ‘we’re trying to get the next contract and we’re going to have to put it back a while.’ So I’ve experienced the challenge of what’s happening first hand.”   John believes the key challenge for the business community in the North West of England is tackling hopelessness: “We’ve had a generation where hope for most people has been what the economists are telling us that things are going to get better, house prices are going up, credit is becoming more and more available and suddenly that hope evaporated in the summer of 2008.  Prices weren’t going up anymore.  Business people who had lived all their professional career in an upward market suddenly had that hope taken away which was a false hope.    “So the real issue at the moment is hope and what is people’s hope based on?  Where are they getting their security from? Where are they getting their wisdom from?  What’s leading them forward in their situation?  Now this isn’t pie in the sky just believing that something is going to get better but actually to know the basis of ethical behaviour, trusting relationships where trust has gone out of the banking system.  All of those fundamentals are actually ways for people to start to rebuild and focus their way forward.  So hope is a really key thing right now.  I believe right now in 2009 that hope is more valuable than cash.”   John believes that prayer is the answer to tackle these challenges which is why they chose to intercede for the economy as part of the forum’s first gathering: “I believe right now we need to actually get before God and pray for wisdom because we’ve got so many resources.  The people in this room tonight have already got ideas, resources, assets, the capabilities to do so much and we can’t do everything.  What we need is wisdom to do the right things.  So that inspiration and forward looking hope or vision is what we need.  We need authentic vision.    “I believe that in prayer God will hear us.  The Bible tells us that when we pray in the name of Jesus He hears us.  So as He hears us and acts things will change.  People here tonight are going to get inspired, new ideas are going to come.  New connections are going to come and as the number of people involved in what we’re doing grows, are human influence will increase.  But we’re not just looking to get numbers as we decided our first event would be a prayer gathering, not networking, not handing out business cards or presenting what people are doing, but really seeking God’s face for His wisdom of what to do over the coming months and prayer will remain central.”   John’s long-term vision for the North West Christian Business Forum is that it will have a growing influence across the UK: “I see some time down the road and God could make it happen really fast in a matter of months or over a period of years, a large number of people who come together not necessarily at the same time but in lots of gatherings and some big gatherings, who come together, connect and initiate new business and actually become a substantial enough force that we can actually speak wisdom to our national and local government and the big businesses in the region.    “A voice of influence to say we do want Christian values, we want the right to speak Christian truth.  We believe that Christian truth makes a difference.  It’s not just about good behaviour or codes of practice but real integrity in business life in our country came from a Christian heritage.  We want to see that returned and our vision is to get to a place where we can speak those things with some authority and people will have some reason to listen to us.”   For more details go to: <a href="http://www.nwcbf.org/">www.nwcbf.org</a>   Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3187 Appeal for disaster victims in Indonesia, Samoa and Tonga 3185 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:33:08 +0000 An appeal for prayer and funds for victims of the tsunami and earthquake tragedies in Samoa, Tonga and Indonesia has been launched by the Methodist Church in Britain.   The Church’s World Mission Fund granted £10,000 to aid the relief work of partner Churches in the region.   Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, said: “As ever our partner Churches will feel enormously supported knowing that Methodists in Britain are praying for them. The appeal and grant money will go to partner Churches, which are playing an important role in rebuilding communities.”   Anyone wishing to donate to the appeal can do so online here: <a href="http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentoworld.content&cmid=1492" target="_blank">http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentoworld.content&cmid=1492</a> or by sending a cheque payable to the World Mission Fund and posting it to Dave Bennett, Fundraising Coordinator, at Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR. Postal donations should be labelled ‘Pacific Appeal’.   A State of Emergency was declared in Tonga for Niuatoputapu, the closest island to Samoa with a population of around 1,000 people. The General Secretary of the Free Wesleyan Church in Tonga is due to travel to Niuatoputapu by boat today. The 1,000 inhabitants of Niuatoputapu island have been badly hit by the tsunamis and earthquakes which have rocked the area. Food, clothing and kitchen utensils are set to arrive in Niuatoputapu by boat tomorrow.   Steve added: “I have been unable to reach the President or the Methodist Church headquarters in Samoa by phone, but it is clear that the Church will be heavily involved in the recovery both spiritually and pastorally in the weeks to come.”   In Indonesia, the main centre of the earthquake damage has been in Padang on the island of Sumatera. The Methodist Head Quarters is in Medan more than 1,000 miles away.   Steve continued: “We have not heard news from the Methodist Church in Padang as yet. We have sent an initial solidarity grant and will respond further to our partner Church as their need becomes clearer. I have assured the church and its members of our prayers and support.”   Updates on the partner Churches in the affected region will appear at <a href="http://www.methodist.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.methodist.org.uk</a> as soon as news is available.    The following prayer has been posted on the Methodist Church in Britain’s website and churches are encouraged to use it during worship on Sunday.   Prayer   Loving God, Who cares ceaselessly for all creation, We pray for the people of Samoa; That they may know your pacific touch in these days of earthquake and tsunami, That the ocean, the moana, may continue to surround and sustain them, That your compassion may help women, men and children Live with the loss of their loved ones, Overcome the destruction of their homes and livelihoods and Deal with the fear of what the future may hold. Let us feel the breeze of your Spirit in the sails of our companionship with the island peoples of the Pacific and Let us see the light of your presence as we plot the course of our common discipleship within your worldwide Church.   Amen. Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3185 Churches encouraged to ‘Get in the Picture’ this Christmas 3181 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:27:52 +0000 Churches across the UK are being encouraged to bring the nativity scene to life in their communities this Christmas by taking part in a new ecumenical initiative. Get in the Picture seeks to involve all kinds of people in the Christmas story by encouraging them to participate and experience being part of the nativity in a fun way. Churches who register with ‘Get in the Picture’ will make a nativity scene with backdrop, costumes and props and seek permission to set it up in a public space like a shopping centre or market place. Members of the public will be encouraged to become one of the characters of the Christmas story and to have their photograph taken in a nativity tableau. The photograph will be available to view and download for free on the ‘Get in the Picture’ website alongside information about local church carol services, a reading of the Christmas story from the Bible and stories of what Christmas means to people today. Get in the Picture originated in Chester last year when evangelist Chris Duffett trialled it with great success. It is now being rolled out nationally by the Baptist Union of Great Britain and endorsed by a number of Christian denominations and organisations. The Revd Ian Bunce, Head of the Mission Department, Baptist Union of Great Britain: “Get in the Picture is a great way to engage with people during advent, giving opportunities to share our faith in a non threatening way. It is easy evangelism, re-enacting the greatest story ever told. In short, it is a cracker.” The Rev Canon Paul Bayes, National Mission & Evangelism Adviser to the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England said: "Every Christmas the story of Jesus still echoes round England. ‘Get in the Picture’ is a simple, helpful way of taking that echo and making it real for people where you are. "It's public, it's visual, it's creative, it's fun and it's effective. It will share good news with the people you care for. Go for it. Please." The Rev Graham Horsley, Evangelism, Spirituality and Discipleship coordinator for the Methodist Church, said Get the Picture would help help Christians to encourage their wider communities to hear and understand the Good News of Christmas. "Every Church should join in!” he said. Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3181 Tearfund welcomes Government 0.7% aid commitment to become law 3179 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:33:06 +0000 Tearfund welcomes the announcement, made by the Prime Minister, to enshrine the existing 0.7% aid commitment within UK legislation. This will make the level of the UK ’s commitment legally binding by 2013, and for aid investment to stay at least at this level from that point onwards.   <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Laura Webster, Tearfund’s Head of Policy, listening to Gordon Brown’s speech to the Labour Party Conference in Brighton , said: ‘This is the right decision. With so many priorities competing for government spending and fuelling political scrutiny over the next nine months, it is important that development aid is secured in this way. In the poorest countries where Tearfund is working lives will depend on it. We hope that the Government is able to push this through Parliament before next year's General Election. If there is one thing the recession is showing us, it’s that the poorest people in the world are always hit the hardest.’  <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3179 Keeping people in church is the real challenge, says Share Jesus 3173 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:06:12 +0000 Last Sunday churches up and down the country were opening their doors as half a million people were welcomed back to church. But despite success over the last couple of years, the challenge is not getting people to come back to church, but getting people to stay, says Share Jesus International. Last September 37,000 people came “back to church”, but it is estimated that only 4,000 of them returned and attend church as a result. “It’s so important that churches are encouraged to reach out and invite people in their communities to come back to church,” said Andy Frost, Director of SJI. “But the real challenge is supporting our churches to reach out to communities effectively and consistently, not just one week a year, but week after week.” In recognition of this need, SJI is hosting Influence on October 20-21 at High Leigh Conference Centre, a leaders' retreat designed to share some of the cutting edge thoughts and practice in mission and discipleship. “There are so many amazing things happening in our churches around the UK, but so often we never hear about them because we work in isolation,” said Mr Frost. “Influence allows leaders to get together to learn from the best in the country, ask questions and apply ideas into their own context.” Influence will include presentations from Jason Gardner, of the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity, Phil Togwell, of 24-7 Prayer, and Chris Stoddard, of the RUN network, covering subjects like sex therapy, monastic communities and Christian innovation. The two-day event will be hosted by Andy Frost and Jonathan Haigh, with worship by David Billborough. <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">On the Web: <a href="http://www.sharejesusinternational.com/influence" target="_blank">www.sharejesusinternational.com/influence</a> <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3173 Fijian Church leaders return to court 3155 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:26:36 +0000 Nine Methodist Church leaders returned to court in Fiji yesterday to negotiate their bail conditions and seek greater religious freedom for their Church.     When they arrived they were informed that the Director of Public Prosecutions is away and that they should return to court next month. The leaders, including the Church’s President, Revd Ame Tugaue, and General Secretary, Revd Tuikilakila Waqairatu, remain bound by strict bail conditions, which prohibit them from travelling abroad, teaching, preaching, leading worship or attending Church meetings.   The Church, which includes more than a third of the population, has been outspoken in its criticism of Fiji’s military government, which is lead by Commodore Bainimarama. Bainimarama originally promised to return the country to democratic rule by April 2009, but is now saying this will not happen until 2014.   Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator, said; ‘Our communications with the Church in Fiji are being monitored and all Church activities and meetings are being scrutinised by government officials. This is intimidation and we applaud the Church in Fiji for its continuing attempts at dialogue rather than confrontation. The Methodist Church is the only faith group in Fiji to receive this treatment, but it remains committed to playing its necessary role in building a renewed and just society in Fiji.”   Earlier this year the Church was forced to cancel its annual Conference, at which the President and Vice President would have been sworn-in and new ministers ordained. The Church has to seek government permission for any formal meeting, one sign of hope this week was government assent for a meeting to station ministers for the coming year.   But there is hope that Fiji’s expulsion from the Commonwealth will lead to increased dialogue between the Church and government, leading to a quicker return to democracy. Steve said; “We continue to hope and pray for lines of dialogue to open and for God’s wisdom to prevail”.   <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Despite the adversity, Church life continues and the Church is delighted to have appointed its first ever female Divisional Superintendent, the Revd Kelera Wesele. <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3155 Bells ring out for Premier DAB radio launch 3144 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:40:56 +0000 Church bells across the UK are ringing out every day this week to celebrate Premier Christian Radio winning the first national broadcasting slot for a religious station on DAB. Churches from Southampton to Scotland, including Winchester, Leicester, Suffolk, Lincoln, Ipswich, Newbury, Norwich and Landaff, will ring their bells in a show of support and celebration for the first national DAB Christian radio station. Premier Christian Radio, who have broadcast in greater London for almost 15 years and who begin broadcasting nationally today (Monday 21 September), have teamed up with The Central Council of Bell Ringers and The Ringing World Magazine to share the news that, for the first time, Christian radio will be available nationally on DAB radio. Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York told Premier Christian Radio: "Welcome to Premier Christian Radio nationwide. What took you so long? It's good to know that your special blend of broadcasting will now reach the parts it never used to reach." Bishop of Bristol, Mike Hill, also shared his excitement, "I am absolutely delighted that Premier is going national, it can now keep up the good work not only in London, but nationwide – extending the reach of Christian debate, news and entertainment to everybody in the country." <a href="http://www.premier.org.uk/" target="_blank">Premier Christian Radio</a> broadcasts a range of Christian debate and teaching programmes for the whole of the Church, Christian music and national and regional news from a Christian perspective. "This is an historic moment, for radio and for Christians across the country who have expressed a need for a permanent nation Christian radio station for years. The hard work, prayers and faith of our staff and supporters has paid off," said Premier CEO Peter Kerridge.   Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3144 Bishops’ call to ‘come as you are’ this Sunday 3139 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:10:09 +0000 ‘Back to Church Sunday’ takes place this weekend, with thousands of people set to return to churches of all denominations following a personal invitation from a friend. Church of England bishops are embarking on a week-long drive to get their message of ‘open invitation’ across, prompting some bishops to speak out about the need for the Church to shed it’s ‘middle class’ image.   The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading, has spoken out about the need for the Church to be truly welcoming: “Even today I meet people who think you have to be highly educated or suited and booted to be a person who goes to church. That’s so frustrating. How did it come to this, that we have become known as just the Marks and Spencer option when in our heart of hearts we know that Jesus would just as likely be in the queue at Asda or Aldi?   “Jesus got us started with church simply. Like this: sitting us down in groups on the grass and telling simple stories. Not simplistic. But certainly not complicated. All his first disciples were down-to-earth people who wanted to know what life was all about. “I wish I could take everyone round our churches in my area. Places of warmth and honesty. Sanctuaries of deep conversation, of tears and laughter. Not a hobby but a way of life.   “On Back to Church Sunday I’ll be at St Paul’s, Wokingham, welcoming new people to the church and proclaiming a very old and very welcome message, because we bishops can’t say it too much: ‘Church: it’s definitely not about how you look, what you do, how you sound, how well you sing. Just come as you are. Come with a friend. All are welcome. Churches are still where best friends are made. And where people can be just as they are.’”   The bishop’s comments follow the launch of an advert promoting Back to Church Sunday, available to local churches to pay for airing on their local commercial radio station. The 40-second advert features a variety of voices reading a rap-style poem that counsels listeners “You might have left for so many reasons, but am I wrong to sense that now’s the season, to stop, turn around, walk back? Don’t look to make no airs and graces. Faked up smiles and masked up faces. No need to make no innovation. Please accept this as your invitation.”   Bishop Stephen was joined by other bishops up and down England, reinforcing the message of invitation to all this weekend:   The Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Revd Steven Croft, has published a YouTube invitation at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V1NmZ0H3IM" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V1NmZ0H3IM</a>, urging people to ‘come as they are’ to church on Sunday, while the Bishop of Doncaster, the Rt Revd Cyril Ashton, and a team of fellow motor cyclists visited a whole host of destinations across South Yorkshire last Friday (18 September) including Doncaster and Rotherham Minsters, to spread the message. Bishop Steven comments: “We have to get past the idea that church is only for a certain kind of person: that you can only come to church in certain clothes or talk in a particular way. The Christian faith has good things for everyone and there are people of every background in our churches. The Church of England is learning to become again the church for the whole nation – poor and rich. We have to learn to speak the language of ordinary people. So everyone is welcome back to church this coming Sunday and any Sunday.”   The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart, will be pedalling around the city and its suburbs this Friday (25 September) to lend his support to churches taking part in Back to Church Sunday. Bishop David will also ringing church bells during his tour to appeal to parishioners to come ‘back to church’.   Later today (21 September) a Nottinghamshire bishop, the Rt Revd Tony Porter, will be donning his biking leathers and setting off for Chetwynd Barracks with ex-GB team sidecar racer Tim Bradshaw, who is an officer in the Territorial Army and local clergyman and motorbike enthusiast, the Revd Anthony Giles. Chetwynd Barracks is home to a number of Army units including 49 (East) Brigade, the Reserves Training and Mobilisation Centre (RTMC) and 170 (Infrastructure Support) Group Royal Engineers. Bishop Tony, the Bishop of Sherwood, and his fellow bikers will go on a tour of the barracks with Brigade Chaplain the Revd Steven Griffith, and have a chance to chat to soldiers about their work, and their faith, over a coffee.   And in Leicestershire, efforts are underway to find out what people think about church and the Christian faith, and what the Church could do to get more people to return. The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens, recently visited a supermarket in Mountsorrel, near Loughborough, to canvass shoppers on these themes and also visited a local café to speak to a group of people who have recently come back to church. The day was captured on video and can be seen at: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBg7FcCz7qQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBg7FcCz7qQ</a>. Commenting on his time in Mountsorrel, Bishop Tim said, “It was a real joy to spend time in Mountsorrel. Many people seemed to be receptive to Jesus, but more hesitant about the church.  Over the years many have felt something pushed or pulled them away from church, or that it wasn’t always connecting with their lives.  Back to Church Sunday is a great opportunity to give us another go.”   Today, in and around Greater Manchester and Merseyside, a special 20ft by 30ft advertising poster will be driven through the streets of Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Southport, Liverpool and Warrington, promoting Sunday’s event. The poster will be unveiled by the Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Revd Chris Edmondson, at Bolton parish church tomorrow afternoon.   The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, will be heard on the airwaves of the Black Country, Shropshire and Staffordshire this week, as he makes a direct appeal to listeners to come ‘back to church’ through a specially-produced radio advert.   On Friday morning (25 September), the Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Revd Michael Langrish, will greet commuters at Exeter Central railway station with invites back to church, fair-trade chocolate bars, and copies of the Diocese of Exeter’s specially-commissioned magazine, ‘Devon Heaven’.   In Yorkshire today, the Bishop of Knaresborough, the Rt Revd James Bell, will join with members of St Peter’s Church in the centre of Harrogate to hand out invitations to passers by and chat to them about their perceptions of church.   Senior clergy from Essex will today (1pm, 21 September) join the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd John Gladwin, to spell out the warm welcome awaiting those returning to church this Sunday when they pose with giant letters declaring that everyone is ‘Welcome to Church’, at Margaretting, near Chelmsford.   And offshore, the Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Rt Revd Robert Paterson, boarded the footplate of the Isle of Man Railway’s historic loco, Hutchinson, to fire up the Back to Church Sunday Special to Port Erin a couple of weeks ago and launch this year’s event in the diocese.   Backing the initiative, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, says: “The Church’s responsibility to welcome all comers isn’t, of course, restricted to one Sunday in the year! But this Sunday in particular prompts us to do a better job of saying to people that we are truly glad to see newcomers and they always have a right to be part of the family.  I pray that this year's Back to Church Sunday will assure the whole population of this country that they are loved and valued by God - and by those who worship God.”   The Archbishop’s adviser on church growth, Canon Paul Bayes, discusses Back to Church Sunday and the theme of ‘come as you are’ on the latest Church of England podcast, available at: <a href="http://cofe.anglican.org/podcast" target="_blank">http://cofe.anglican.org/podcast</a>.   Up to 16,000 Church of England churches could be taking part in ‘Back to Church Sunday’ across each of the Church’s 44 dioceses, joining congregations from Churches Together in Scotland, the Church in Wales, Baptist, Methodist, United Reformed, Salvation Army and Elim Pentecostal churches nationwide, and Anglican churches in Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Canada. ‘Back to Church Sunday’ began in Manchester in 2004, spread to Wakefield Diocese in 2005, nine dioceses in 2006, 20 in 2007, and 38 in 2008, when an estimated 37,000 people came back.   Research by the Diocese of Lichfield after Back to Church Sunday in 2007 suggested that, six months after the event, between 12-15 per cent of ‘returners’ had become regular members. A further significant proportion were still in touch with their inviting churches, perhaps attending less frequently. Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3139 Launch of Climate Justice Fund 3118 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:38:31 +0000 Count the cost of your carbon footprint for the sake of the developing world is the message from the CofE’s Climate Justice Fund launched, as the College of Bishops meets in Oxford this week, with support from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change, DECC.    The web-based resource <a href="http://www.climatejusticefund.org/" target="_blank">www.climatejusticefund.org</a> managed by aid agency Tearfund helps churches and individuals to calculate their carbon footprint and compare it with what is considered to be their ‘fair share’ of emissions.  Any additional carbon usage will be calculated into a financial equivalent. Churches and individuals can then opt to pay this amount into a unique fund supporting Anglican churches in developing countries to help their communities adapt to the effects of climate change.   Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband, said: “Communities around the world know that climate change isn’t an issue for future generations, it’s an issue for now. At the heart of the Climate Justice Fund is the knowledge that every one of us can make a difference, whether from helping individuals or demanding an ambitious agreement when the world gathers in Copenhagen this December.”   The Fund will support Anglican dioceses in Africa to respond to disasters caused by climate change, such as flooding.  It will also support work to develop sustainable agricultural methods in areas where changes to the climate have affected crops, as well as funding reforestation and development of environmentally sustainable cooking methods.   The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd James Jones, said: “The Climate Justice Fund gets its income from those saving money by reducing their carbon footprint and gives it to those who are struggling to cope because of climate change.  Instead of waiting for Governments to come up with an international agreement we can take power into our own hands and start making a difference.  In a world where some emit 20 tons of carbon into the atmosphere each year and others emit less than a tenth of a ton there is no climate justice.  We can make the world more just by joining the Climate Justice Fund.”     The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, chair of Shrinking the Footprint, said: “Today's launch of the Climate Justice Fund as part of Shrinking the Footprint, the Church of England's national environmental campaign, is yet further evidence that for the Church environmentalism is more than just about saving money by changing a few light bulbs, welcome though that is, but a living out of that most basic Christian vocation to love our neighbour justly and sustainably in the 21st  century. The Climate Justice Fund shows the capacity of the Church to behave and communicate symbolically in a way that will hopefully enlarge the room for political manoeuvre and heighten public consciousness as to the challenges that we face by an ever changing climate."   The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, welcomed the launch of the Fund: “Climate change is something we have been discussing a great deal in Oxford Diocese. The launch of the Fund is a significant statement in the run-up to the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit in December. It’s easy to take part and the effects on the ground will be real and long-lasting: it is another brick in the wall that says we must stop climate chaos.”    Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men. http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3118 Churches’ delegation to attend the three main political party conferences 3113 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:36:29 +0000 Christian leaders will engage with politicians at the three main party political conferences over the next few weeks.   Senior representatives from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church and The Salvation Army will attend the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences to discuss their shared concerns.   The Churches’ delegation will emphasise the importance of working together to achieve international agreements which address climate change, fairer trade arrangements and the regulation of financial markets in order to benefit the poorest communities. Nuclear weapons, asylum seekers and migration will also feature on the Christian group’s agenda.   Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, said: “At each party conference we will meet with politicians, listening to their concerns and sharing our own. Politicians, whether they work at a national, regional or local level, often feel disconnected from the Churches and this is a wonderful opportunity to make contact with them and assure them of our prayerful concern.”   As well as building relationships, the representatives will offer visible support for the ministry of Christians involved in politics, promote the work of the Churches and strengthen ecumenical links through discussions on social issues.   Richard Vautrey, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, said: “We want to offer our support for the ministry of Christians involved in politics as well as to highlight the importance of Christian engagement with politics.”   For several years the Churches have been coming together to organise a joint delegation to the party conferences, and it has now become an established date in the Church leaders’ calendar.   The Revd John Marsh, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, said: “The party conferences are taking place in an election year at a time of widespread disillusionment in the political process in the UK following the MPs’ expenses scandal. We look forward to engaging with politicians at the party conferences this year to encourage them to continue pursuing constitutional renewal to restore confidence in the political process.”   This year the delegation will be supporting the work of Citizens for Sanctuary; a campaign calling for justice for people seeking sanctuary, following the report of the Independent Asylum Commission last year.   Tim Stone, Public Affairs Officer for The Salvation Army UK and Ireland, said: “Especially now, at this time of economic crisis, The Salvation Army  is joining with other Christian Churches to remind politicians of the plight of the most vulnerable in society. “When budgets are tight, it may be too easy for decision makers to consider slashing public funding for families and individuals without being held fully to account. However, there is growing evidence that failing to look after all members of our society will only store up more problems for tomorrow.” Sorted - the UK's number one magazine for Christian men.   http://www.sorted-magazine.com/news/item.htm?pid=3113