THE BAPTIST TIMES

Strong support for shoeboxes in spite of recession

By Laura Rougêt

BIG-HEARTED Brits are defying the recession to continue their support for Operation Christmas Child (OCC).

As The Baptist Times went to press more than 5,000 churches, including at least 380 Baptist churches, had signed up to send shoeboxes full of gifts to children in less affluent countries.

Thousands of workplaces, schools and community groups have also become involved with the project organised by Samaritan’s Purse.

Its executive director Simon Barrington revealed that the initiative has had a ‘similar level’ of response to that of 2008, when the charity delivered an impressive 1.2 million boxes to underprivileged children.

The appeal’s deadline was Wednesday and Mr Barrington told The Baptist Times, ‘It has been another exciting year for Operation Christmas Child.

‘Overall, the picture is good, with lots of new churches getting involved, but we won’t be able to say what the impact of the recession has been until the end of the campaign.’

The initiative also has around 8,000 UK-based volunteers, and Samaritan’s Purse is conscious that OCC’s impact ‘isn’t just limited to the children overseas’.

Mr Barrington explained, ‘OCC provides churches with a great opportunity to build bridges with their community and invite people into church who may not normally walk through the doors.

‘Here in the UK, some churches are even taking over high street shops or public spaces and providing a community meeting point, all geared around shoeboxes.’

The Revd Ruth Wood, minister of Gaer Baptist, Newport, has found OCC instrumental in helping to rebuild her congregation. She feels that the appeal lies in it being a local community initiative, which anyone can get involved with.

‘OCC has done a lot of good and I would recommend it to any church, especially those trying to rebuild,’ she told The Baptist Times.

This year, Samaritan’s Purse also launched a Facebook page (called ‘Give This Christmas Away’), where people can share ideas on how to give their time and or money to help others.

To date, the group has seen more than 5,000 fans post updates.

OCC sends the shoeboxes to countries in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Book giant to sell all UK businesses

By Paul Hobson

THE STRUGGLING Christian book trade was dealt a blow on Monday, when a major player announced plans to sell its UK operations.

IBS-STL UK, which runs STL Distribution (the major distributor to the trade), the 40 Wesley Owen shops in the UK and publisher Authentic Media, is pursuing the move because of a ‘succession of financial problems’.

In particular, it cited the failed implementation of a new SAP computer system in October, the effects of which have been exacerbated by the economic downturn.

The charity’s administrators are marketing the different operations to a ‘number of interested parties’.

They are hopeful they will complete negotiations ‘for the sales or potential closures within the next few weeks’.

Keith Danby, president of parent company Biblica, said, ‘Given the severe financial and operational strains we have experienced, the board of trustees and management team believe a sale or exit from all or parts of certain operations is a prudent and necessary step.

‘While a difficult decision, we are focused on finding a solution to continue the important work of IBS-STL UK, to secure the jobs of the 490 people employed in our ministry, and to fulfil our financial obligations to our suppliers and creditors.

Picture: Tony Blair Faith Foundation

Williams calls for mutual trust on aid

INTERNATIONAL development needs an ‘informed working relationship’ between faith-based organisations and governments, the Archbishop of Canterbury argued last week.

Dr Rowan Williams (pictured) highlighted the integral role faith communities play in development, but emphasised the need to develop mutual trust

and understanding between the two sectors.

Dr Williams was giving the final address for the seminar series New Perspectives on Faith and Development, jointly hosted by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, DFID, Oxfam, Islamic Relief and World Vision.

For more visit www.tonyblairfaithfoundation.org

‘We are working diligently and praying vigilantly for a successful outcome.’

Michael Fitch, chairman of the IBS-STL UK board of trustees, added, ‘We continue to believe strongly in the power of God’s Word and Christian resources to change peoples’ lives.

‘We are praying that we can pass the torch on to other likeminded organisations so

that our UK staff, suppliers and ministry partners can carry our work forward.’

Phil Groom, manager of the London School of Theology bookshop, explained that STL Distribution is ‘the main supplier, a vital part of the supply chain’. If it were to fold it would have a ‘huge effect’ on both publishers and retailers, he told The Baptist Times.

Mr Groom, a well-known blogger on the Christian book trade, is proposing that Christian retailers come together with churches to consider a trade buyout of IBS-STL UK which would continue some of its operations.

The number of Christian bookshops in the UK dropped from 545 in 1997, to 447 in 2008, according to statistician Dr Peter Brierley.

CAP launches in N Ireland Suicide guidelines caution

A BAPTIST church in Northern Ireland has joined with debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) in launching its free service across the country.

Greenisland Baptist Church in Carrickfergus is one of four new CAP centres, giving the charity a reach to nearly half the population.

CAP operates through a network of church-based debt counselling centres. Jacqui Robb, CAP centre manager at Greenisland Baptist,

said, ‘Debt is an increasing problem in our society but individuals can receive the help and support they need through CAP’s work.

‘We at Greenisland Baptist Church are delighted to be able to offer this service to our community.’

Matt Barlow, CAP chief executive, said, ‘By launching our service in Northern Ireland we look forward to bringing hope and a solution to many living in desperate circumstances.’

SOME of Britain’s most senior legal experts have warned that the new guidelines from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on assisted suicide are ‘not fit for purpose’ and have called on the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to rewrite them.

The lawyers have warned that the guidelines issued in September ‘give the appearance of a shift in the role of the CPS’ from an enforcer of the

law other than in exceptional circumstances to an arbitrator.

The lawyers include Lord Carlile, the Government’s chief terrorism adviser and former Lord Chancellor Lord Mackay.

They have joined together w i t h d i s a b i l i t y r i g h t s campaigners and senior doctors to deliver their message.

The message appears in the formal response from the Care Not Killing alliance to the DPP on his draft guidelines.

Former BUGB president retires

THE REVD Fred George, a former president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, has retired after 40 years’ service.

Born in Sri Lanka, Mr George trained at Spurgeon’s before joining East Barnet Baptist Church in 1969.

During this time he has

spearheaded many areas of change and growth f rom overseeing the design and rebuilding of the church premises after a fire in 1980, to the establishing of a community care service, open seven days a week.

He is also the founder of

Stillwaters, a charity that cares for children in Sri Lanka. He became BUGB president in 1997.

Last month he was the recipient of the first ever BUGB racial justice award, for his ‘outstanding contribution’ to racial justice (pictured).

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Index

Local News p5

Letters p6

Climate change and

Christianity p8-9 Glen Marshall p10

Rackley’s Reflections

p11 Faith Matters p11 Classifieds p12-13

TV Review p14

Sportsweek p14 Music Review p15 Book Review p15 Baptist Times Gone By – Armistice Day

1918 p15

Recipe p15