Prayers after three killed in Reading stabbing; Attack being treating as terror-related

The Bishop of Reading has spoken of her sadness over the death of three people in a stabbing attack in Reading on Saturday night. 

Three more were seriously injured in the attack in Forbury Gardens at about 19:00 BST.  A 25-year-old man was detained at the scene and arrested for murder after reportedly being tackled by a lone police officer.  Early reports describe him as a Libyan asylum seeker. 

Early on Sunday, the investigation was upgraded to a counterterrorism enquiry, with all indications pointing to the incident being a terror attack.

Video footage, filmed by a bystander and posted on social media, appeared to show police giving CPR to several victims with knife wounds.

Police have asked witnesses to come forward, and to provide authorities with video footage of the attack, although they pleaded that bystanders do not share the videos with others or online.

The Bishop of Reading, the Rt Rev Olivia Graham, responded on Twitter, saying she was "horrified" by the stabbings. 

"Prayers tonight for victims and their families and all emergency service personnel involved," she wrote. 

Rev Chris Russell, vicar of St Laurence, Reading, which lies just within the police cordon, said: "My thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading and my thanks to the emergency services on the scene...come Holy Spirit." 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his "thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading".

"My thanks to the emergency services on the scene," he added.

News
Christian widows in Nigeria hold fast to faith as they rebuild lives after violence
Christian widows in Nigeria hold fast to faith as they rebuild lives after violence

Hundreds of Christian widows in Nigeria’s Plateau State are putting their lives back together after losing husbands, homes and livelihoods to violence.

Sharing your faith: practical tips for evangelism
Sharing your faith: practical tips for evangelism

As someone who regularly participates in street evangelism and teaches the Bible to young people, I have learnt a few lessons along the way.

‘The UK is a mission field’ - churches encouraged to embrace cross-cultural mission on their doorstep
‘The UK is a mission field’ - churches encouraged to embrace cross-cultural mission on their doorstep

Churches are being encouraged to embrace cross-cultural mission on their own doorstep by building relationships with people of different backgrounds and generations who may have little or no contact with Christianity.