Youth Ministry and Church News from around the world

News from around the world of youth ministry and the Church:

• Young, gay and Christian: If you are a young Christian in the UK, coming out can pose extra challenges.  While some churches offer acceptance, others show hostility. It’s down to different interpretations of the Bible.  Meet Aiko and David who both identify as Bible-believing, gay Christians, but who are walking very different paths.
• Justin Welby shares his life lesson for 2019: we must learn how to forgive – and disagree.  He writes this in the context of the imminent Brexit vote.
• Archbishop calls for Vigil of Prayer ahead of Brexit vote: The Archbishop of York is inviting all to join him in a vigil of prayer ahead of the Commons vote on the Brexit deal.  The vigil will start on Sunday 9 December at 6am until Tuesday 11 December at midnight.
• Bishop of Durham urges politicians to give working families more support: Further coverage of Joseph Rowntree Foundation state of the nation report on poverty. Includes comment from the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler.
• Christians are being invited to share their experience of living out their faith in the UK: in a consultation led by the Christians in Parliament All Party Parliamentary Group.
• Volunteer questioned over body parts that turned out to be for nativity play: Interview with a church volunteer who created a nativity scene made with life-sized mannequins at the church of St John the Divine in Nottingham.
• Statement on structural changes to Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team: including the appointment of Sir Roger Singleton as interim director of the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team.  Sir Roger was previously chief executive of Barnardo’s. He has been the Government’s Chief Adviser on the Safety of Children and chaired the Independent Safeguarding Authority from 2007- 2012.