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APRIL
21 April 2008
Churches concern at Zimbabwe violence
The Methodist and United Reformed Churches have
together voiced their concern about increasing levels of violence and political
intimidation, linked to the delay in announcing the result of Zimbabwe’s
presidential election.
Commenting on the precarious situation, the Revd
Dr Stephen Orchard, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed
Church said: ‘The Zimbabwe Election Commission owes it to the long-suffering
people of Zimbabwe to announce the presidential result without further delay, to
enable people to begin the urgent task of rebuilding their shattered lives
and economy. We condemn the campaign of violence and intimidation that has been
embarked upon by members of the ruling party, following the announcement of the
parliamentary election results. We also believe that people
who hold power in any country have a first duty to care for the poor and
vulnerable rather than for themselves’.
Reflecting on the escalating
humanitarian crisis, the General Secretary of the Methodist Church, the Revd
David Deeks, said ‘The impact on the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans has been
immense. The people of Zimbabwe appear to have voted for change and the leaders
of Southern African states bear a huge responsibility to ensure that the will of
the people is respected. If that doesn’t happen, the crisis in Zimbabwe could
have an increasingly devastating impact on the entire region’.
The two churches expressed
their solidarity and support in prayer and action with their partner churches
and agencies in Zimbabwe and pledged to continue working together to achieve
peace, justice and prosperity there. They illustrated the plight of Zimbabweans
with statistics, including:
INFLATION
In 1987 inflation averaged 11.9 percent. It surged to an official record of
100,586 percent in January 2008, but economic experts say the real rate is much
higher.
LIFE
EXPECTANCY Average life expectancy dropped from
63 years in 1990 to 37.3 years in 2005, according to World Bank and U.N.
figures.
UNEMPLOYMENT Estimated
at about 80% of the working population.
18 April 2008
MRDF responds to crisis in Zimbabwe
In the face of growing
political instability and desperate food shortages in Zimbabwe, The Methodist
Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) is
supporting an appeal through ACT International (Action by
Churches Together) that will distribute emergency food supplies to vulnerable
households.
Over 4 million people need
food immediately. Reports from Zimbabwe paint a picture of desperation, with
some families cooking leaves they had previously considered poisonous. Although
they have found ways of draining them that make them safer, people are still
getting sick. The current crisis has been worsened by Zimbabwe’s growing
HIV/AIDS problem and inflation levels that are spiralling out of control –
currently the highest in the world.
As well as distributing food,
the MRDF appeal, through ACT International, will also provide home-based care
kits for those looking after people with HIV/AIDS, supplementary vitamins for
those with HIV/AIDS and support and counselling for AIDS orphans, who often face
malnutrition because of lack of food, illness and stigma. People who have lost
their livelihoods will be given small livestock for food and to help generate
incomes.
Kirsty Smith, MRDF Director,
said: “The crisis in Zimbabwe has left millions of people without the means to
feed themselves. By supporting this appeal, we hope to alleviate some of the
suffering and give them a way of generating income in the future.”
Donations to MRDF’s appeal
for Zimbabwe can be made by debit or credit card on 020 7224 4814, or by cheque,
payable to “MRDF (Zimbabwe emergency)”, posted to MRDF, Methodist
Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR.
Taxpayers are encouraged to
gift aid their donations where possible, adding a value of 28p to every pound
they give, at no extra personal cost.
17 April, 2008
Churches urge people to vote wisely on
May 1st
Three Christian denominations are urging voters
to take a stand against racist and extreme political parties as election day for
local councils in England and Wales draws near.
1 May 2008 is election day for many local
councils as well as for the Mayor of London and the Greater London Assembly.
A new briefing from the Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and Baptist
Union of Great Britain encourages people to use their vote wisely.
Simon Loveitt, Convenor of the Church and Society
Committee for the United Reformed Church, says; “Politics is not just for
Westminster. Local elections are a chance to have your say about the issues
affecting your community. Many are daunted by the information available, but
this briefing demystifies local elections and offers a place to start making
your voice heard on the issues that matter.”
“It’s very easy to criticise politicians from
a distance,” adds Graham Sparkes, Head of Faith and Unity at the Baptist Union
of Great Britain, “but as Christians we are called to be fully involved in
politics. We need to be engaged in community life, holding
politicians to account for their decisions but also taking our democratic
responsibilities seriously.”
Local churches are encouraged to issue statements
condemning policies and practices that are incompatible with Christian faith and
to work with other community groups in taking a stand against extremist parties
in their areas.
Rachel Lampard, Methodist Secretary for
Parliamentary and Political Affairs, says; “Churches have urged people not to
vote for candidates who promote racist policies which are completely
incompatible with the Christian call to love one another. Not only should
we reject racist and intolerant parties, but we should actively work to counter
those who seek to stir up hatred. Using your vote is essential to ensure that
extremist parties, such as the BNP, do not get elected.”
Christians in London are invited to attend a
hustings event for the London Mayoral candidates which is being organised by the
London Churches Group for Social Action and the Evangelical Alliance. The
hustings will take place at St-Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square on 23
April from 1800-2000.
The briefing offers links to further
resources and is available at www.jointpublicissues.org.uk
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BOLTON
AND ROCHDALE METHODIST
DISTRICT