Justice in the church put under the spotlight

-18/10/06

By Jordan Tchilingirian

Justic


Justice in the church put under the spotlight

-18/10/06

By Jordan Tchilingirian

Justice, the lack of it, and how it can be built in churches will be the major theme at this yearís Church Action on Poverty (CAP) annual conference.

Tackling poverty, renewing communities and enabling people to lead more dignified lives are just some of the issues at the centre of the CAPís new initiative on Justice in the Church, which will form the framework for the conference.

Entitled; ëJust churches; Faithful cities; Dignified livesí the gathering takes place next month. It will address how churches can become more just in their worship and childrenís work, as well as the personal lifestyles of members of the congregation.

The new strategy is being worked out with a number of sympathetic Church groups including the Baptist Union, Evangelical Alliance, Faithworks, Housing Justice and the Iona Community.

Organisers say the event will explore some of the themes arising from the recent Faithful Cities report from the Church of England, which drew on Church Action on Povertyís current work with communities around the country.

They hope it will enthuse and equip the ëeverydayí Christians to contribute to the process of building more just churches which will the spill out into the surrounding society.

CAP stresses the importance of raising awareness and stimulating action in a country like the UK where campaigners say the real depth of poverty is clouded over. The agency points out that poverty does not simply involve sleeping rough, or starving in absolute poverty. They hope that the actions they facilitate will help to make progress on an issue which they see as big a challenge as trade justice.

In particular they hope to develop a series of modules to help churches develop their own means for critical self reflection, planning and positive action based on their own local situations

The conference will bring together keynote speakers from diverse backgrounds. Speakers include the Labour MP, Minister for Culture and author of ëMaking Poverty History at Homeí David Lammy; Director of End Child Poverty Hilary Fisher who in an article for the CAP took a more critical approach of the vaunted New Labour social policy ideas and practices, and the Youth Advisor for the Diocese of Southwark and ex member for the Commission on Urban Faith and Life (who were responsible for the Faithful Cities Report) Dean Pusey.

The conference takes place on Saturday 11th November in Manchester. For more information visit the Church Action on Poverty website


Justice in the church put under the spotlight

-18/10/06

By Jordan Tchilingirian

Justice, the lack of it, and how it can be built in churches will be the major theme at this yearís Church Action on Poverty (CAP) annual conference.

Tackling poverty, renewing communities and enabling people to lead more dignified lives are just some of the issues at the centre of the CAPís new initiative on Justice in the Church, which will form the framework for the conference.

Entitled; ëJust churches; Faithful cities; Dignified livesí the gathering takes place next month. It will address how churches can become more just in their worship and childrenís work, as well as the personal lifestyles of members of the congregation.

The new strategy is being worked out with a number of sympathetic Church groups including the Baptist Union, Evangelical Alliance, Faithworks, Housing Justice and the Iona Community.

Organisers say the event will explore some of the themes arising from the recent Faithful Cities report from the Church of England, which drew on Church Action on Povertyís current work with communities around the country.

They hope it will enthuse and equip the ëeverydayí Christians to contribute to the process of building more just churches which will the spill out into the surrounding society.

CAP stresses the importance of raising awareness and stimulating action in a country like the UK where campaigners say the real depth of poverty is clouded over. The agency points out that poverty does not simply involve sleeping rough, or starving in absolute poverty. They hope that the actions they facilitate will help to make progress on an issue which they see as big a challenge as trade justice.

In particular they hope to develop a series of modules to help churches develop their own means for critical self reflection, planning and positive action based on their own local situations

The conference will bring together keynote speakers from diverse backgrounds. Speakers include the Labour MP, Minister for Culture and author of ëMaking Poverty History at Homeí David Lammy; Director of End Child Poverty Hilary Fisher who in an article for the CAP took a more critical approach of the vaunted New Labour social policy ideas and practices, and the Youth Advisor for the Diocese of Southwark and ex member for the Commission on Urban Faith and Life (who were responsible for the Faithful Cities Report) Dean Pusey.

The conference takes place on Saturday 11th November in Manchester. For more information visit the Church Action on Poverty website