London, UK – January 29, 2009 Did you know that there is a local council by-election next week where local churches are campaigning together to keep out the BNP who currently lie in second place? Or that next Sunday is not just Education Sunday, but Poverty Action Sunday and Autism Sunday? Or that someone is about to launch a rival to Radio 4’s Thought for the Day which includes non-religious commentators? Or that this weekend clowns from all over the world will flock for a special church service in full make-up and costume?
You would if you subscribed to a brand new service from the religion and society thinktank Ekklesia, which details what’s on the agenda in the next four weeks with regard to religion and public life.
Tailor made for journalists, churches with an outward focus, diocesan communications officers, those working in media production or public relations – anyone in fact who needs to know what’s coming up on the religious agenda, the information is delivered by email every Monday morning.
Contained in the service are details about important lectures, press conferences, book launches, major church conferences such as the impending General Synod of the Church of England, special ‘days’ and ‘weeks’, actions by campaign groups as well as numerous other events with a bearing on religion and public life.
The email also includes a look ahead at what’s on the Parliamentary agenda, as well as a ‘This Day in History’ feature which also lists religious festivals and saints days. With its special emphasis on religion as well as issues of peace, justice, ecology and international development, it contains information that similar, more expensive planning services, have a tendency to omit.
Ekklesia’s co-director Jonathan Bartley said: “The service is already being taken up by national and religious newspapers and broadcasters – but also by church and other religious leaders who feel it is important to know what’s coming up in the next few weeks. It seems that there are a lot more people than we first anticipated who are keen to stay on top of the news agenda, rather than simply respond to it.”
Find out more and see an example of the service here: http://tinyurl.com/ajvbvz
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Notes to editors:
1. Ekklesia is a think-tank, founded in 2002, which promotes transformative theological ideas in public life.
2. Ekklesia is independent of all church denominations. It has been recognised as one of Britain’s leading sources of information on religion and public life.
3. You can find out more information about the service here: http://tinyurl.com/ajvbvz
4. Contact: [email protected]
07771 598097