United Reformed Church is 50 but celebrations postponed due to rail strike
The United Reformed Church marks its 50th anniversary tomorrow but national celebrations have been postponed due to a rail strike. The URC came into being on 5 October 1972, when the decision of two denominations — Congregationalists and English Presbyterians — to join together was recognised by an act of parliament. The traditions had been in existence for 500 years but the churches decided to unite as they were both “intentionally outward looking” and shared similar ideas about the church and beliefs about faith. The church says it is deeply disappointed to have postponed the celebrations after three years of planning, but wanted an opportunity for all to take part. Full story on our website here
Ayatollah Khamenei condemns hijab protests as riots instigate by US and Israel
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has condemned the nationwide protests at the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, aged 22, who was arrested for not wearing a hijab correctly. Protests have taken place around the world, including in the UK, and in Iran they have continued for three weeks in many cities, with reports of police using tear gas to disperse demonstrators. The Ayatollah said he was deeply heartbroken at the young woman’s death, but the protests were riots and he accused the United States and Israel of planning them in a plot to destabilize Iran.
Bishop in Scotland facing bullying allegations is suspended again
The Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, Anne Dyer, has been re-suspended, in a continuing dispute over bullying allegations. A church commissioned report into the complaints concluded there was “systemic dysfunction” in the diocese. She was suspended, appealed, then re-instated but now is suspended again. The Scottish Episcopal church said in a statement that the suspension, by three votes to two, does not constitute disciplinary action and does not imply any assumption that misconduct has been committed. Her lawyer, Callum Anderson, of Levy and McRae told the BBC that she had been subjected to personal and gruelling attacks: “An entirely one-sided and self-serving picture has been presented by a handful of people who fundamentally object to same-sex marriage and to Bishop Dyer’s appointment as the diocese’s first female bishop”. The complaints process continues.
Japan’s ruling political party’s links with the Moonies uncovered
A Guardian report says that strong links have been discovered between the Unification Church, otherwise known as Moonies, and the Japanese ruling Liberal Democratic Party. It follows an investigation after the former LDP Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, was shot dead in July by a gunman who said his motive was anger at Abe’s links to the Moonies. The gunman said his family had been destroyed after giving their fortune to the church, leading to his brother’s suicide. On reviewing the claims, the inquiry found that 179 of the party’s 379 lawmakers had links to the Moonies, from speaking at events to receiving help in campaigns. The story is told in an edition of the Guardian Podcast “Today in Focus”.
Synagogue in Essex allows non-Jews to become members
Non Jews are being allowed to become members of a Reform synagogue in Redbridge, in a move to keep families including a non-Jewish partner involved in religious and communal activities. Rabbi Jordan Helfman told the Jewish Chronicle that he expects around 20 people will become “associates”, giving them burial rights and membership benefits, except being allowed to vote on constitutional change. He said it is often the non-Jewish partner who drives students to the synagogue and bakes food for communal events and it was important to ensure people feel they belong.
Breakaway Anglican group GAFCON on a recruitment drive in Hull
An Anglican church in Hull is the venue for a conference organised by Gafcon, the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, for clergy who “cannot remain” in the Church of England aligned to Canterbury. Under the title “You are not alone. You have a home”, GAFCON says it is arranging an event “as many face uncertainty about their ministry within a denomination increasingly compromised by revisionism”. Gafcon broke away from the Anglican Communion over same sex relationships and what it saw as liberal interpretations of the Bible. The event will introduce clergy to the Anglican Network in Europe, with input from bishops from New Zealand, Canada and the USA. The venue is Christ Church Newland in Hull, which is linked to Gafcon and part of the Anglican Mission in England.
Pope meets Apple’s CEO
Pope Francis met Apple’s CEO Tim Cook at the Vatican yesterday. It is not known what they discussed, but both have recently addressed advances in artificial intelligence. The Pope has said that robotics and artificial intelligence should always remain at the service of human beings. Cook, who was on a tour of his business in Italy, told students in Naples that AI technologies were exciting and would touch everything in life.
Going to church can reverse early signs of dementia
A Dementia Risk Reduction Programme, promoted by the eminent physician and public health expert Professor Sir Muir Gray, includes the advice that going to church and volunteering can reverse memory problems in people with early signs of dementia. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, he advocates self-help techniques which could reduce cases of dementia by 40 per cent. Among his seven tips such as a healthy diet, good sleep patterns and exercise, he says it’s important to find a sense of purpose and research has shown, this can be found by going to church.
