Asbury revival rolls on into 12th day
The nonstop revival gathering at Asbury College Kentucky is now in its 12th day. A live stream showing people in worship, singing, praying and praising, has gone viral on social media and the phenomenon has spread to universities in nearby states. People are shown singing songs with often repeated phrases, holding their hands high in charismatic praise and softly speaking in tongues. There is no one preacher or leader, just a never ending and changing group of worshippers, some of whom have travelled long distances to take part from within the US and even Brazil. Asbury’s website says there have been eight other “revivals” in its history, but none have endured for this long.
The RMC is holding a briefing today, Monday 20 February, at 1400 with academics and ministers, to understand the context and explain the phenomenon. Get the link by emailing [email protected]
Anglican leaders “threaten to split the communion” over same sex blessings
The Telegraph reports that the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches, which represents conservative Anglicans opposed to same sex relationships, is expected to dissociate itself from the Anglican communion over same sex blessings. The report quotes sources close to GFSA saying a formal statement will be made today (Monday), with one saying the Archbishop of Canterbury has committed heresy. The anger follows a vote at the Church of England General Synod which allowed same sex couples to be blessed after a civil marriage ceremony, but maintained a ban on marriage in church. The Archbishops of Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda have spoken out against the decision. The Telegraph quotes a spokesperson for the Archbishop of Canterbury saying they would not comment on speculation from anonymous sources.
Russian Orthodox in Ukraine has “poisoned people” with ideas of Russian supremacy
Ukraine’s top officer in charge of religious freedom, Dr. Viktor Yelensky, has made clear that the government will take court action to end the ties between the Russian Orthodox church in Ukraine and Moscow, to which it is still aligned. In an interview with the Sunday programme on BBC Radio 4, he said the church had church poisoned people over decades with the idea of a Russian world, Russian supremacy, Russian chauvinism and militarism. He said the ban on the Russian Orthodox church in Ukraine targets the top officials of the church, and does not punish ordinary church members.
Humanist appointed to lead chaplaincy at Sussex University
Humanists UK has announced that James Croft has become the first humanist to be appointed to lead a chaplaincy at a UK university. His title, at Sussex University, is University Chaplain and Lead Faith Advisor and his job is a non-religious pastoral carer, as opposed to a chaplain. It says such roles are increasing in hospitals, hospices, prisons, universities, and, soon, the armed forces. Its statement says that James Croft has held many roles in ethical societies in the United States, building communities for people of all religions or beliefs. Humanists UK says that in January, the UK Government announced that it intends to launch a new Chaplaincy Faith and Belief Forum to replace the Chaplaincy Council, which will include humanists from the outset.
Rabbi: Matters of life and death down to chance and random events
Rabbi Jonathan Romaine, whose 34 year old son lost his life while on honeymoon, after being caught in a riptide, has written in The Times about the way his work as a rabbi and his faith have helped him cope. He says he has been through anguish, disbelief, despair, howls of pain, raging questions and helplessness. But the question of why God allowed it to happen, or whether it was part of God’s plan, never entered his head. “Instead, I reckon that so much of life is due to chance and random events”, he said. “We have the gift of life and there is nothing to say it should be fair or easy, it is full of both beauty and danger”. What has comforted him is a caring hug, a firm handshake and a straight eye, with the unspoken message that people are with him in grief.
SNP warned their government could collapse if Kate Forbes is elected leader
The Scottish Daily Express says it believes the Green Party will end its coalition with the SNP if Kate Forbes, a conservative Christian, becomes the next leader. Forbes, the daughter of missionaries, is a member of the Free Church of Scotland, known as the “Wee Frees”, and is against abortion, same sex relationships, a ban on conversion therapy and likely against the gender recognition act which has been proposed. A source told the Express that they believed “a lot of Greens would not be happy and point to things she has said in the past and say ‘we don’t want our party working with you’.”
Roman Catholic bishop murdered in Los Angeles
Roman Catholic bishop, David O’Connell, has been shot and killed streets away from his church in Hacienda Heights, Los Angeles. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Originally from Ireland, he had served in the area for 45 years., Police are treating it as murder.
Monument to St Cuthbert on Lindisfarne
A new museum on Holy Island, Lindisfarne, includes a monument in the priory ruins marking the spot of the original shrine to St Cuthbert, who founded the community there in the 7th century. Displays also include Britain’s first known prayer bead necklace. English Heritage explains that the place became a centre of pilgrimage because of Cuthbert, regarded as a saint after miracles were reported near his shrine. He is regarded as the patron saint of Northumberland.
