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Believers urged: work 100% for God

More than 700 Christians were urged to work 100% for God in whatever workplace they find themselves in at Love Work, Live Life!, a new event from Care for the Family.

Motivational speaker David Oliver addressed audiences over three evenings in Stockport, Croydon and Bristol and told them that the common idea about Christian work being superior was a “myth”. The event will tour to venues around the country in the New Year. For more information, call (029) 2081 0800 or visit www.lovework.org.uk.

'Live as an asylum seeker on £5 and a food parcel'

Church Action on Poverty is challenging people to take on the life of someone who has been refused asylum for one week as they experience UK poverty. For the first week of advent (27 November – 4 December) CAP want Christians and others to live on £5 and a food parcel.

The ‘Endurance Challenge’ is part of CAP’s Living Ghosts campaign to change Government policies that make those people seeking asylum destitute.

Various resources have been produced for the campaign including a free pack with details of the Advent endurance challenge, ideas for lobbying your MP, resources for reflection and background to the campaign. Call 0161 2369321 or e-mail livingghosts@church-poverty.org.uk for more information and resources.

Christmas stamps in unholy row

The Royal Mail has apologised after the UK’s Hindu Forum called for the withdrawal of a Christmas postage stamp depicting what it described as a man and woman with Hindu markings worshipping the baby Jesus.

In a statement issued by the forum, an umbrella group for the British Hindu community, its secretary Ramesh Kallidai said it was "insensitive to use it at a time when the issue of conversions in India has been a subject of heated debate".

Kallidai said: “We therefore urge the Post Office to withdraw the stamp immediately or issue a redesigned version that does not have the Hindu markings on the foreheads of the two characters in the stamp."

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "The painting dated between 1620 and 1630, on which it is based, is by a Hindu artist on the Madonna and Child theme.

"This theme has been chosen this year for a set of stamps portraying how different communities in the world interpret it and we thought it a particularly beautiful example. However the Royal Mail does apologise if any unintentional offence has been caused to the Hindu community."

He noted that it would not be possible to withdraw the stamp, which had already been issued, to 14, 500 post offices in Britain. (ENI)


		NEWS Believers urged: work 100% for God More than 700 Christians were urged to work 100% for God in whatever workplace they find themselves in at Love Work, Live Life!, a new event from Care for the Family. Motivational speaker David Oliver addressed audiences over three evenings in Stockport, Croydon and Bristol and told them that the common idea about Christian work being superior was a “myth”. The event will tour to venues around the country in the New Year. For more information, call (029) 2081 0800 or visit www.lovework.org.uk. 'Live as an asylum seeker on £5 and a food parcel' Church Action on Poverty is challenging people to take on the life of someone who has been refused asylum for one week as they experience UK poverty. For the first week of advent (27 November – 4 December) CAP want Christians and others to live on £5 and a food parcel. The ‘Endurance Challenge’ is part of CAP’s Living Ghosts campaign to change Government policies that make those people seeking asylum destitute. Various resources have been produced for the campaign including a free pack with details of the Advent endurance challenge, ideas for lobbying your MP, resources for reflection and background to the campaign. Call 0161 2369321 or e-mail livingghosts@church-poverty.org.uk for more information and resources. Christmas stamps in unholy row The Royal Mail has apologised after the UK’s Hindu Forum called for the withdrawal of a Christmas postage stamp depicting what it described as a man and woman with Hindu markings worshipping the baby Jesus. In a statement issued by the forum, an umbrella group for the British Hindu community, its secretary Ramesh Kallidai said it was "insensitive to use it at a time when the issue of conversions in India has been a subject of heated debate". Kallidai said: “We therefore urge the Post Office to withdraw the stamp immediately or issue a redesigned version that does not have the Hindu markings on the foreheads of the two characters in the stamp." A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "The painting dated between 1620 and 1630, on which it is based, is by a Hindu artist on the Madonna and Child theme. "This theme has been chosen this year for a set of stamps portraying how different communities in the world interpret it and we thought it a particularly beautiful example. However the Royal Mail does apologise if any unintentional offence has been caused to the Hindu community." He noted that it would not be possible to withdraw the stamp, which had already been issued, to 14, 500 post offices in Britain. (ENI)