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NEWS

82% say children shouldn’t gamble

The Government is ignoring a huge swell of public protest against allowing children to gamble on fruit machines, according to the Salvation Army.

A recent National Opinion Poll found 82% of respondents think young people should not be allowed to gamble on fruit machines, while more than 35,000 people signed a petition against child gambling, organised by The Salvation Army, the Methodist Church and children's charity NCH.

Jonathan Lomax, from The Salvation Army, said: "The response from the public has been overwhelming. To get this number of responses in such a short space of time indicates the strength of feeling on this issue, which frankly the Government seems to have underestimated.

"The Government has clearly said that children and gambling don’t mix, yet they still will not act to ensure that children are adequately protected from the dangers posed by gambling on category D fruit machines."

Rachel Lampard, from the Methodist Church said that although the Government had made "some welcome moves" to protect children from gambling "while children are still allowed to gamble on fruit machines they will remain at greater danger of developing a gambling problem". She added: "Problem gambling in children often results in truancy, criminal records, problems at school and family breakdown – all problems which can permanently damage a child's growth and development. This is a serious child protection issue that Government needs to recognise and act upon."

The Gambling Bill reached committee stage in the House of Lords last week. An amendment to the bill – which would ban children from gambling on category D fruit machines, while allowing them to play teddybear-grabbing machines and penny falls – was put down.

Ulster StreetReach project gets formal backing

The community action StreetReach project, run with local churches by Church Army and Summer Madness, has received formal recognition from four key church leaders in Ireland.

The Archbishop of Armagh, the Primate of All Ireland, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, have backed the initiative, commenting: "It offers young people an excellent opportunity to connect with the needs of the local community and build new relationships that extend their understanding of 'faith into practice'."

Already, 10 mini-events are happening this year around the province, and the main StreetReach will involve up to 800 people in July.

More at www.streetreach.net

TV cartoon helps churches’ outreach

Churches all over the UK and Ireland are finding a popular TV cartoon series is helping them attract new people into church.

Promoters of Storykeepers – the children's programme about Christians in ancient Rome – have devised a special video/DVD gift pack, given out free in schools, which encourages whole families to take part in simple worship sessions.

Some 30,000 boxes have been distributed since 2001, and in some areas the pack has attracted a staggering 40 per cent of local people to church parties.

Each Marcus Box contains a one-hour video or DVD of two Storykeepers episodes, a modern copy of St Mark’s Gospel, chutes and ladders board game and several sheets of decorative stickers. These are bought by congregations and offered at no charge to youngsters aged from 5-11 years.

Children and their families are later invited to a party at church, with tea, games and informal worship. The newcomers discover Christianity isn’t boring, and are encouraged to attend regular services.

St Columba’s Church in Corby gave out 120 packs and had 55 children at their first party. London City Mission report excellent prospects in Bermondsey, including a school opening up to regular visits. And a Methodist holiday club at Barrow in Furness was over-subscribed four times last year.

Find out more at www.storykeepers.com/marcus.html or call 01460 242405.

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		NEWS 82% say children shouldn’t gamble The Government is ignoring a huge swell of public protest against allowing children to gamble on fruit machines, according to the Salvation Army. A recent National Opinion Poll found 82% of respondents think young people should not be allowed to gamble on fruit machines, while more than 35,000 people signed a petition against child gambling, organised by The Salvation Army, the Methodist Church and children's charity NCH. Jonathan Lomax, from The Salvation Army, said: "The response from the public has been overwhelming. To get this number of responses in such a short space of time indicates the strength of feeling on this issue, which frankly the Government seems to have underestimated. "The Government has clearly said that children and gambling don’t mix, yet they still will not act to ensure that children are adequately protected from the dangers posed by gambling on category D fruit machines." Rachel Lampard, from the Methodist Church said that although the Government had made "some welcome moves" to protect children from gambling "while children are still allowed to gamble on fruit machines they will remain at greater danger of developing a gambling problem". She added: "Problem gambling in children often results in truancy, criminal records, problems at school and family breakdown – all problems which can permanently damage a child's growth and development. This is a serious child protection issue that Government needs to recognise and act upon." The Gambling Bill reached committee stage in the House of Lords last week. An amendment to the bill – which would ban children from gambling on category D fruit machines, while allowing them to play teddybear-grabbing machines and penny falls – was put down. Ulster StreetReach project gets formal backing The community action StreetReach project, run with local churches by Church Army and Summer Madness, has received formal recognition from four key church leaders in Ireland. The Archbishop of Armagh, the Primate of All Ireland, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, have backed the initiative, commenting: "It offers young people an excellent opportunity to connect with the needs of the local community and build new relationships that extend their understanding of 'faith into practice'." Already, 10 mini-events are happening this year around the province, and the main StreetReach will involve up to 800 people in July. More at www.streetreach.net TV cartoon helps churches’ outreach Churches all over the UK and Ireland are finding a popular TV cartoon series is helping them attract new people into church. Promoters of Storykeepers – the children's programme about Christians in ancient Rome – have devised a special video/DVD gift pack, given out free in schools, which encourages whole families to take part in simple worship sessions. Some 30,000 boxes have been distributed since 2001, and in some areas the pack has attracted a staggering 40 per cent of local people to church parties. Each Marcus Box contains a one-hour video or DVD of two Storykeepers episodes, a modern copy of St Mark’s Gospel, chutes and ladders board game and several sheets of decorative stickers. These are bought by congregations and offered at no charge to youngsters aged from 5-11 years. Children and their families are later invited to a party at church, with tea, games and informal worship. The newcomers discover Christianity isn’t boring, and are encouraged to attend regular services. St Columba’s Church in Corby gave out 120 packs and had 55 children at their first party. London City Mission report excellent prospects in Bermondsey, including a school opening up to regular visits. And a Methodist holiday club at Barrow in Furness was over-subscribed four times last year. Find out more at www.storykeepers.com/marcus.html or call 01460 242405. © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.