New principal of St Stephen’s House, Oxford, announced
THE Revd Dr Harri Williams (right) has been appointed Principal of St Stephen’s House, Oxford. Dr Williams is Vicar of Walsingham, in Norwich diocese, and can take up the post within the autumn. He succeeds Canon Robin Ward, who served as principal for nearly twenty years (News, 17 January). Fr Harri said: “I’m greatly honoured to have been appointed as Principal. As St Stephen’s House approaches the a hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its foundation, it’ll be a privilege to steer an establishment which has, and continues to make a definite contribution to the theological formation of those preparing to serve in ministry as priests and likewise as laity.”
Franklin Graham returns to ExCeL London
SEVENTEEN thousand people attended the Revd Franklin Graham’s event at ExCeL London on Saturday, as a part of his God Loves You Tour. Mr Graham is the son of the late evangelist Billy Graham. He is the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan’s Purse. In an announcement, BGEA said that hundreds of individuals were turned away on the venue due to an absence of space. In 2023, Mr Graham spoke to greater than 10,000 people at the identical location (News, 1 September 2023).
Ninety yr old honoured for Christian Aid service
Amy SheppeyArton Medd receives his award from Canon Kate Bottley
A LONGSTANDING supporter of Christian Aid has been recognised for 56 years of dedicated service. Arton Medd, who turned 90 this yr, received the Amplifying Hope Award at a ceremony held at Church House, Westminster, this month, as a part of the charity’s Eightieth-anniversary celebration (News, 12 June). Mr Medd has campaigned for climate justice, fairtrade, debt relief, and poverty eradication. He has cycled across continents and was pivotal in organising the Church of England in Lancashire’s World Development Group within the Nineteen Nineties, which raised greater than £300,000.
Prayer Book Society appoints three Ecclesiastical Patrons
THE Bishops of Ramsbury, Lynn, and Oswestry are to change into joint Ecclesiastical Patrons of the Prayer Book Society (PBS) from 30 August, on the society’s next annual general meeting. Dr Andrew Rumsey, Dr Jane Steen, and the Rt Revd Paul Thomas were chosen by the society’s trustees due to their “passion for the Book of Common Prayer as a tool for mission and private discipleship”. The Society’s current Ecclesiastical Patron, the Lord Chartres, will change into its President from the identical date.
Methodist Church engages with carbon literacy
THE Connexional Team of the Methodist Church has received a bronze Carbon Literacy Award for demonstrating a baseline awareness of carbon emissions and a commitment to their reduction. The team accomplished the “Carbon Literacy for Congregations” programme and have put a plan in place to measure the impacts and outcomes of the training. Seventy-four pledges have been made out of July to scale back carbon emissions throughout the Connexional Team and 37 members have change into carbon literate. The Methodist Church has committed itself to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Quakers speak out in support of Palestine Action
BRITISH Quakers have sent a letter to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, voicing their concerns concerning the Government’s plans to categorise Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. In an announcement, the top of witness and worship for Quakers in Britain, Oliver Robertson, emphasised that nonviolent protest, and even acts of vandalism, mustn’t be labelled as terrorism.
MPs briefed on PIP ahead of Commons debate
TEN organisations have published their briefing for MPs ahead of the second reading debate for the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. The organisations include Trussell, Scope, Mind, Citizens Advice, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. More than 100 Labour MPs are reported to have signed an amendment to scrap the Bill. Widely criticised by disability activists, it’ll be heard within the House of Commons on 1 July.
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