Public Issues

The newsletter of Joint Public Issues Team

 

Newsletter 127    April 2021

Dear Friends

 

Spring has approached this year with as much unpredictability as lockdowns and new Covid-19 measures! In the midst of everything going on, I hope you are beginning to see signs of new life breaking through around you.

 

There have been a great deal of emerging public issues, social justice-focussed conversations and causes for action over the last few months. We are grateful for those of you who continue to prompt us, and get in touch to let us know how you are engaging with the issues on your heart. I hope that today’s newsletter encourages you to continue to engage with wider conversation and prayer around some of these issues.

 

Every Blessing

 

Hannah & the JPIT team

The New Plan for Immigration

 

The Government’s recently published New Plan for Immigration gives details about a long-promised overhaul of the asylum system. The proposals are described as aiming to increase the fairness of the asylum system and deter illegal entry into the UK. However, many of the measures risk creating more injustices in the system which will increase the trauma and pain experienced by asylum seekers attempting to reach safety in the UK. 

 

As a Church which seeks to offer sanctuary, witness to God’s love and stand for justice, we must speak up for human dignity and flourishing. We’re engaging with the proposals, and encouraging you to do the same.

 

What can you do?

 

Read our response to the ideas proposed, exploring why they put asylum seekers at risk and how we, as Christians, might respond.

 

Read our blog here

We’re encouraging as many people as possible to respond to the Government’s consultation on these proposals.

 

We’ve provided some guidance on how to do so.

Find our guidance on the consultation

UK Government announces increase in warhead numbers

 

In March, the UK government announced its intention to increase the number of nuclear warheads in the UK’s stockpile. Many of our Church Leaders spoke out collectively to say that this policy ‘takes us in a worrying and wholly wrong direction.’

Read the Church Leaders' statement

Politics in the Pulpit

After a short Easter break, Politics in the Pulpit? is back next week with guest Selina Stone, a lecturer in Political Theology at St Mellitus College.

 

Politics in the Pulpit? is JPIT’s new lectionary-based preaching resource. Every week, host Beth Allison-Glenny chats to a different guest, discussing the political dimensions present in the Scriptures and reflecting on how they connect with the week’s current news and our role in the Kingdom of God.

 

We release a podcast version and a video version so you can catch up however you prefer.

Watch or Listen here

Elections on 6 May

There’s still time to apply to vote in the elections taking place across the UK on 6 May. The deadline is 11:59pm on Monday 19 April. If you’ve moved house or changed your name, make sure you’re registered. You can do so here.

 

 

There are lots of issues at play in these elections. We’ve put together resources for Scotland, Wales and England, unpacking some of the key issues.

Explore our election resources

Reset The Debt: Update

Did you join us for our day of Prayer & Action on 26 March? We were so encouraged to join together in prayer with you, alongside MPs and Church Leaders.

 

You can catch up on our prayer broadcast here.

 

It’s been exciting to see recommendations for some debt write off coming out of the MHCLG Select Committee in the past month.

 

You can read our blog here.

Pray with us

 

Gracious God,

 

In an economic system which has winners and losers,

give to our leaders the grace to work together for good:

especially the good of the poorest and most marginalised,

the hungry and the homeless,

the vulnerable and oppressed,

the hurting and the exploited.

 

We pray for encouragement for those who are worried for the future,

and for compassion amongst those who can transform the present.

 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

EU Settled Status: Deadline Approaching

The Home Office has recently shared more detail on what ‘reasonable grounds’ will apply for those who are unable to apply for EU Settled Status before the deadline on 30 June.

 

We have produced guidance for church leaders supporting applications to the scheme here.

 

 

Find guidance for supporting an application

If you need help with an applications, Settled offer free support for applicants to the scheme. Find them here.

Watch this space!

 

We’ve just closed applications for our JPIT Internship 2021-2022.

 

However, spaces on the JPIT – House of Commons Internships will be opening in the next few weeks!

 

Make sure to keep an eye out here.

Climate Justice For All - Launch

CJ4A is a youth-led campaign which invites the global Methodist family to take climate action and declare ‘we believe in climate justice for all’ together in the run-up to the UN’s COP26 later this year. The campaign is asking Methodist communities to do three things as we approach COP26: listen, call and commit.

 

CJ4A is releasing monthly short films and worship resources which help tell the stories of Methodist communities all over the world who are taking action for the planet.

 

Check out this month’s short film and worship resources and find out more about CJ4A.

Climate Justice For All

Edwards Rogers Scholarship

Wesley House Cambridge is currently taking applications for the new Edward Rogers Scholarship, a three-year residential PhD scholarship in Christian Social Ethics.

Find out more here

Events you might be interested in

Trussell Trust Big Church Leaders' Breakfasts

 

The Trussell Trust is inviting all church leaders to join a free an online event.

 

Across the UK, food banks offer vital support to people in crisis. Churches are at the heart of that work. Whether your church is already involved, or you just want to know more about the vision of th Trussell Trust, this event is for you!

 

 

You’ll hear from Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, about our work to build a hunger-free future. There’ll be time for prayer and reflection, networking, a live Q&A and input from church leaders and food bank teams.

 

Register now to secure your free place.

National Justice and Peace Networking Day

 

8 May 2021 11-3pm, Online

 

The National Justice and Peace network will be holding a networking day. Join them on Zoom for discussion, seminars and networking.

 

Find out more here.

Life on the Breadline End of Project Conference

 

24-25th June 2021, 10am to 4.15pm UK-time, Online

 

 

The Life on the Breadline team are hosting a conference to mark the culmination of three years of research into Christian responses to UK poverty in the context of austerity. Join them for presentations with Q&A and interactive workshops.

 

Find out more and book a space here.

Dates for your diary

  

22 April - World Earth Day – Find out more here.

 

10-16 May - Christian Aid Week – Explore resources here

 

6 June - Environment Sunday 

 

6 June - Tax Justice Sunday – Discover resources here.

To publicise an event or project, or to follow up on any of the issues mentioned here, contact us on enquiries@jointpublicissues.org.uk

 

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Joint Public Issues Team | Methodist Church House | 25 Marylebone Road | London | NW1 5JR

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