E-News May 2009

Churches urged to take action ahead of European Elections
- 4 June 2009

ballot paper On 4 June 2009 every adult in the UK will have the opportunity to vote in the European Parliament elections. There will also be some English County Council elections.

Methodist President The Revd Stephen Poxon said, “Voting isn’t just a right - it is a privilege that carries great responsibility. A high turnout at the ballot box is good for democracy and society and will make it harder for extremist parties to succeed.”

A briefing explaining the 4 June elections has been prepared by the Methodist-Baptist-URC Joint Public Issues Team.

There is also a new toolkit to help equip and affirm local church leaders to take action to counter far-right and racist politics.

Swine Flu

women sneezing The Methodist Church has circulated guidance among church leaders asking them to consider ways to avoid the risk of catching and spreading the swine flu virus.

The document, Swine Flu: Risks and Precautions is intended for all who have a responsibility in a church context, whether leading worship, running groups or visiting. It also gives details of websites and helplines which offer up-to-date advice.

In Mexico, the Methodist Church has informed the Civil and State Authorities Office that Methodist churches and congregations are willing and able to be at the disposition of the authorities to care for others.

Bishop Moisés Valdarrema Gomez, President of the Council of Bishops at The Methodist Church in Mexico, said, “We have a responsibility of stewardship for, not only our lives, but also for the lives of others, which means in situations like this we take responsibility for how our actions may affect others.

“Let us continue to pray for our families, our brothers and sisters in the faith, for our city and for the authorities. Let us turn this into an opportunity to unite in prayer for one another, having faith that God is the one leading our lives.”

Government criticised for gambling legislation change

fruitless logo Despite the Fruitless campaign led by the Methodist Church and other Christian organisations, parliament has agreed to double the amount of money that can be staked and won on the kind of fruit machines found in pubs and amusement arcades. This means that the prize limit on fruit machines will be higher than weekly benefit levels, at a time when many families will be struggling to make ends meet.

In response, an alliance of nine UK Christian organisations has issued the following statement:

“We are deeply disappointed, though not surprised, by the decision of parliament to accept the government’s proposals to increase stakes and prizes for category C and D gaming machines. The government had promised that no such increase would be made until a further gambling prevalence study had been published and has reneged on this promise. We do not know what effects this legislation will have on the levels of problem gambling or on the lives of those already addicted to slot machines, but we have always urged the government to act with caution.

“We will continue to campaign for the protection of those vulnerable to the harmful effects of gambling and to call on the government to put people before profits. We particularly call on the government:

to prohibit children from gambling and to research the effects of allowing them to do so. Britain remains the only developed country that allows children to play on fruit machines, and the substantial increase in prizes for children will add another hazard that should be evaluated;
only to increase future stake and prize values in line with inflation, at no more than three yearly intervals;
to undertake research into the impact of these changes, with a promise to reverse the decision if this research demonstrates a likely increase in problem gambling.”

Toby Scott, Director of Communications and Campaigns for the Methodist Church added, “Although we are disappointed with this decision, we are extremely grateful for the level of support we have received and to all those who have added their voices to this campaign.”

Look out for Momentum

The next edition of Momentum will be coming your way at the beginning of June. A wealth of new articles and information will be available online. Look out, too, for copies of the digest (sent directly to your church) and the Methodist Recorder insert on 4 June.

The issue includes a special section on migrant workers, interviews with first-time mission partners and the Methodist Church General Secretary, The Revd Martyn Atkins, plus news of how a church in Stoke has doubled the number of its church services. Discover Methodism in action from Scotland and South Africa to Wales and Wythenshawe. There’s something exciting happening in your neck of the woods, and Momentum has it covered.

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