Read the latest briefing from the Joint Policy Issues Team, which explains how this rule is creating poverty for children.
The January 2019 (issue 13) is now available.
This edition has the theme of “journeying”, and includes an article by the past Vice-President of Conference, Jill Baker (Strathclyde Circuit) on “pilgrimage”, an insight into the shared journey of two Methodists with different views on aspects of sexuality, and an exploration of travelling together ecumenically by the new Connexional Ecumenical Officer, Ruth Gee.
The Joint Public Issues Team, comprising the Baptist Union, Church of Scotland, Methodist Church and United Reformed Churches responded to the Government proposals to provide some protection for players with a gambling problem, but urged it to go further.
Read the full response.
The latest blog post from JPIT suggests that the Government is not looking to see whether Universal Credit is causing hardship. Foodbank referrals are increasing, and, if the Government’s plans are implements, around 6 million families will be receiving Universal Credit, including around half of the UK’s children.
Methodists hold an annual Covenant Service, at which we celebrate all that God has done for us, and affirm that we give our lives and choices to God.
The Covenant Prayer
I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.
More about the covenant.
The latest issue of the connexion magazine explores Testimonies. Read about the testimonies of a wide age range of Methodist people.
THERE is a new hope for jobseekers in Glasgow.
With continued pressure on services in the city, one church has stepped forward and already helped 1,000 people in their journey towards finding work.
Pollokshaws Methodist Church partnered with award-winning charity Christians Against Poverty four years ago to open a job club with almost a quarter finding work as a result.
CAP Job Club Manager Phil Haggis said: “For a job club to have such a great success rate is very rare, particularly in the current climate of unemployment.
“We know Job Centre Pluses are under enormous pressure across the country, which is why we have partnered with them and see most of our members being referred by them to us.“The beauty of local churches is that they are a great resource in the community and by using the fantastic materials created by Christians Against Poverty we are seeing all our members graduating with a renewed confidence and fervor to put themselves forward forjobs.”
Pollokshaws Job Club’s 1000th member Craig Broadley was recently presented with a framed certificate to mark this historic landmark and members shared a celebration chocolate cake with 1000 candles.
The job club was also recently visited by the Vice-President of the Methodist Conference Jill Baker, who said: “We were very impressed with the work which we saw at Pollokshaws Job Club, which is living out the good news of Jesus in real, practical ways.
“The emphasis on community was of particular importance, treating people as individuals but also as part of society and working towards building the sort of communities where everyone is valued and supported.”
Pollokshaws Job Club is one of 163 job clubs across the UK run in partnership with Christians Against Poverty. To book into the 8-week course visit capuk.org and type in your postcode to find your nearest one.
Christians Against Poverty is determined to reduce hardship in the UK, through the local Church. It does this through 576 poverty fighting services, including 306 Debt Centres, 163 Job Clubs, 71 Release Groups and 36 Life Skills courses, helping people develop basic financial and practical skills.
All the services are given freely regardless of age, gender, faith or background.
At the recent JPIT conference, David Bradwell, JPIT member and Co-ordinator of Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees, and Philip Jones and other members of Wilbraham St Ninian’s URC who have direct experience of the UK asylum and refugee system, led a session on the UK’s response to refugees.
They explored practical ways your church can demonstrate love-of-neighbour. This is for everyone, whether or not you have asylum seekers or refugees living in your local area: there are things all of us can do to create a culture of welcome in church and in society.
Read the briefing paper Made for Goodness: A faithful response to the refugee crisis.
If you want to have sacred conversations on migrating within your local church or church related group @home in a strange place is a very useful resource.
Here are some Church organisations carrying out work with refugees that you can get involved with.
Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees
