Church Issues

• ‘Behold Europe’ to train young evangelists: An upcoming conference in Spain will disciple and equip millennials wanting to share the Gospel, at a time when young people lack scriptural knowledge but have zeal to make a difference. Read more here and here.
  
• Welby preaches climate change to India, silent on persecution: The Archbishop of Canterbury has waxed lyrical about climate change during his tour of India, but ignored pressing issues including the plight of Indian believers and corruption in the Church. Read more here.
• Orthodox priest sacked for preaching on Jewish roots: The 77-year-old Canadian priest was forced to step down after preaching on the Jewish roots of Christianity and the importance of praying for Israel. His assistant priest made the complaint. Read more here.

World Scene

• Finnish MP under fire for quoting Scripture: A Christian MP in Finland is facing a police investigation for criticising the decision of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland to join in Helsinki’s Pride event earlier this year. Read more here.
  
• Trump proclaims days of prayer to mark 9/11: Friday 6 – Sunday 8 September 2019 have been set aside by the President as national days of prayer and remembrance to mark the lives lost during the 2001 Twin Tower attacks. Read more here.
  
• Australian MPs threaten to quit over abortion bill: Two Liberal MPs in New South Wales are threatening to step down if important amendments to the radical bill are not included. Their quitting would remove the party’s majority. Read more here. New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern has suffered a big dip in her popularity ratings after supporting up-to-birth abortion. Read more here. Also this week, senior figures at Planned Parenthood have said that ‘any reason’ is valid for abortion, including sex, race and disability. Read more here.

Israel & Middle East

• Israel plays Hezbollah in weekend sting: Drawing Hezbollah fire with reportedly empty vehicles last weekend and staging an evacuation of ‘wounded’ soldiers, the IDF allowed Hezbollah to think it had triumphed in a revenge attack, calming a potentially explosive situation for the time being. Read more here.
  
• IAEA confirms Iran has breached 2015 nuclear deal: Further US sanctions have been levied against the Iranian regime this week. Tehran has responded by breaching the 2015 nuclear deal again. Read more here and here. France has offered Tehran a $15 billion letter of credit if it returns to the deal, but reportedly the US will not allow this through.

Events

• Abortion: Killing off the human race? Saturday 21 September (central London): Join Voice for Justice UK and speakers including the Rt Hon Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP in calling for a reduction of the time limit for abortion. The Emmanuel Centre, Westminster, 10am-5pm, tickets £30 (concessions £15). Click here to find out more and to register.
• Abortion: Choice, Necessity or Injustice? Thursday 26 September (Bristol): Join the Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform at their Bristol launch for an evening of inspiration, education and activation on this vital issue. Buckingham Chapel, 7:30pm. Click here to find out more and RSVP. The following day there is also opportunity to join apologetics training and take part in an educational street display in the city centre.
• SPUC annual conference, 13-15 September (Derbyshire): Join other SPUC supporters and a number of prominent speakers at this critical time in pro-life campaigning. The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick. Tickets £200. Click here to find out more and to book.
• ‘Our kids are being taught WHAT?!’ Saturday 12 October (north-west London): A one-day conference to discuss the Government’s new RSE curriculum. Hear from expert speakers and receive practical advice on how to respond. Masons Avenue, Harrow, 10am-6pm. Tickets £25 (£10 concessions). Click here for more information and to book.