IUC sets sights on Jamaica's future leaders

11 March 2010

The International University of the Caribbean (IUC) has given school principals in Jamaica an incentive to introduce their pupils to higher education.

The incentive, which was announced at a breakfast forum on 9 March, will see the IUC supporting projects of the participating schools, the Jamica Observer reported. "A percentage of our budget is committed to working with school projects to enhance the quality of education," said IUC president Rev Dr Maitland Evans.

Dr Evans, who gave a stirring presentation on the need for quality education to address Jamaica's leadership problem, also said that the IUC would be expanding its scholarship initiative designed at encouraging more men to pursue tertiary education.

Read more: IUC sets sights on Jamaica's future leaders

HK church drives Chile quake appeal

09 March 2010

The Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China has launched a special appeal for victims of Chile's devastating earthquake.

The “Five Loaves and Two Fish” appeal has already donated HK$ 200,000 (US$25,000)to ACT International to help fund the first wave of humanitarian assistance.

Read more: HK church drives Chile quake appeal

URC eco-church attracts green MPs

09 March 2010

A green-thinking United Reformed Church has impressed local politicians with its eco-friendly ethos.

Redland Park United Reformed Church in Bristol, UK, has built up such a green reputation that MPs from the area have been queueing up to take a leaf out of its book.

Read more: URC eco-church attracts green MPs

Church still important to Welsh communities

09 March 2010

Christianity has a valued place in the community – that’s the resounding message emerging from a recent survey of more than 1,000 people living in Wales.

Almost two-thirds of those questioned as part of the project spearheaded by the Presbyterian Church of Wales agreed that it was possible for Christianity to play a part in their community.

And almost half claimed that religion was relevant to them – despite only a low percentage attending church regularly.

The findings have sparked enthusiasm among church leaders, who feel that the research can be positively used over the coming months to help the church go to work in the community – both locally and centrally.

Read more: Church still important to Welsh communities

Pastor soothes Singapore intolerance row

08 March 2010

The leader of the Presbyterian Church in Singapore has called on Christians to love non-Christians unconditionally, in response to fears that Singapore's carefully balanced religious and cultural tolerance is under threat.

The moderator of the CWM-member Presbyterian Church in Singapore  Rt Rev Phua Chee Seng exhorted Christians to resist the tendency of religious groups to become exclusive “so that the Gospel of Jesus will not only reconcile men’s relationship with God, but also renew men’s relationship with other men.”

Read more: Pastor soothes Singapore intolerance row

NZ church curbs teen bullying

04 March 2010

A New Zealand church has been working towards stamping out teenage bullying by setting up a special club for young people.

St David’s Union from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand set up the new group for teenagers with bullying issues at the beginning of 2009, and they’ve already seen dramatic results.

Wednesday Wonders has attracted 10 girls, previously unconnected to the church, who take part in a range of activities aimed at helping them connect with each other and promote an anti-bullying message.

Read more: NZ church curbs teen bullying