Church leaders to meet politicians at Party conferences

A delegation of Church leaders will meet politicians at the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative Party Conferences this month.

The five leaders will represent the Baptist Union of Great Britain, Methodist Church, The Salvation Army, United Reformed Church and Quakers on issues like poverty, climate change and the IF Campaign to end world hunger.

The delegation is intended to be a visible witness of support to people involved in politics, as well as the Christian groups within the parties.

"This is an opportunity for us to build relationships with MPs and talk about issues of common concern," said Dr Mukarji, of the Methodist Church.

The delegation is partnering with the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum, the Christian Socialist Movement and the Conservative Christian Fellowship in hosting fringe breakfast events that will offer a time of discussion and prayer on the Tuesday mornings of each conference.

Dr Mukarji continued: "We may not always agree with politicians, but we still want to talk and pray with them. The welcome we receive from Christians and non-Christians alike, and their willingness to talk about issues which impact the Churches, demonstrates that not only do we have faith in politics but that politicians have faith in faith communities."

News
Active faith linked to happier marriages and lower divorce rates, study finds
Active faith linked to happier marriages and lower divorce rates, study finds

People who regularly attend church are more likely to report happy marriages, according to a new report examining the relationship between faith and family life.

Indian churches fearing anti-conversion laws tell non-Christians: enter at your own risk
Indian churches fearing anti-conversion laws tell non-Christians: enter at your own risk

Churches in Dhamtari, a town in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, have put up notices warning non-Christians that they enter at their own risk, weeks after a law against religious conversion came into force in the state.

£1k bursaries to help churches develop youth and community mentoring programmes
£1k bursaries to help churches develop youth and community mentoring programmes

Churches across the UK are being offered bursaries to help them establish mentoring programmes aimed at supporting young people and others in their communities.

World Evangelical Alliance celebrates 180th anniversary
World Evangelical Alliance celebrates 180th anniversary

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has held an online celebration to mark its 180th anniversary. Hundreds of people from more than 22 countries attended, and the event was rebroadcast to accommodate different time zones.