churches election bulletin
issue 3 - april 2010
Now we know that the election will be on 6 May, it's even more important that churches are involved in organising hustings. The churches have produced a range of exciting election materials to help keep you informed and engaged as the General Election campaign gets properly underway.
Nearer the end of April there will be another Election Bulletin to give you more information in the closing stages of the campaign about the Churches collective activities and publications.
Churches election website
The election pages on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website (http://www.churcheselection.org.uk/) are a resource for all churches. New items available in the ‘Resources' section this month include:
• a discussion paper on marriage and family life by Sue Burridge, Church of England's Mission and Public Affairs
• a briefing on Scottish fishing issues
• a link to a comprehensive briefing on housing issues by Housing Justice.
The Faith in Politics resource document is now available as individual subject focused web pages. Anyone is welcome to reproduce material from this, but if doing so, please cite it as being; "reproduced from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland web resources".
Hold a church hustings
The online hustings registration system and database, where you can advertise your meeting or see what is happening in your constituency, is now working, with plenty of events already entered. To search for a hustings in your constituency, please go to: www.ctbi.org.uk/428. If you are interested in organising a hustings, please register your details at: www.ctbi.org.uk/444.
Launch of CofE Election Prayers and Policy Resources
This month sees the launch of an online resource by the Church of England for the General Election. It offers prayers for the election and presents a one stop shop for policy papers and Synod resolutions that set out the position of the Church of England on many of the areas that will be the subject of debate during the campaign.
The pages can be seen at www.cofe.anglican.org/generalelection
Salvation Army Election Manifesto
On 1 April 2010, The Salvation Army launched its manifesto for the next government. The document comes out of The Salvation Army's deep conviction and passion for serving a hurting world. As we all prepare for the General Election, The Salvation Army encourages everyone to take seriously the challenges which they perceive as the responsibility of all of us. The church sees the Manifesto as being prepared with the highest motives and best intentions for how Christians work together in the communities which have been entrusted to us.
The Salvation Army Manifesto
Launch of Sanctuary Pledge Campaign
The Sanctuary Pledge Campaign was launched at the Mothers Union on the 25th March. A diverse coalition of churches, faith communities and charities gathered to show their support for the campaign to promote the Sanctuary Pledge to all prospective parliamentary candidates. Its five pledges, which candidates are being invited to sign up to are:
- Campaign responsibly, positively and sensitively
- Promote a culture of sanctuary locally and nationally
- Support policies that will end the detention of children and families for immigration reasons
- Promote understanding and neighbourliness between local communities
- Safeguard the long-term future of sanctuary
For more information the Campaign, its supporters and how you can help promote it, visit Sanctuary Pledge
Heritage News
Campaign to Save the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
The Scheme, which enables listed places of worship to claim back 100% of VAT incurred on repairs and maintenance to buildings, professional fees and repair works to fixtures such as bells and organs is due to come to an end in March 2011.
Since it was set up in 2001 the Scheme has enabled those who look after valuable heritage and community buildings to maintain them for future generations, with over £103 million paid out to grateful places of worship across the United Kingdom. However, congregations still need to find 66% of the £110 million spent annually on the up-keep of their buildings, even after grants from English Heritage and the Lottery have been taken into account. The ending of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will therefore, have a huge impact on those congregations who will now have to find an extra 17.5% of the total costs of repairs works.
Places of Worship are working together to campaign to get the scheme extended. A Downing Street Petition has been set up at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/VAT-refundscheme/ and there is a campaign website at http://www.savetherefund.info/ As part of the campaign, there is also a sample letter available for people to send to their MP or prospective parliamentary candidate. This can be found here: http://www.churchcare.co.uk/news.php
Heritage at Risk - Historic Places of Worship Survey
English Heritage writes: England has some 14,500 listed places of worship - mostly Church of England churches (85%), Catholic churches, Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed and other Nonconformist chapels, Jewish synagogues and Quaker meeting houses. As part of our Heritage at Risk programme we have carried out a sample survey to find out how many are "at risk" from serious disrepair. On 30th June we shall be revealing the results of the survey, together with research into what congregations say they most need to help them with the huge responsibility they bear for looking after these buildings. English Heritage wants to hear from You!
Help us with our research! We are inviting anyone with an interest or involvement with a historic place of worship to tell us of the challenges they are facing or recent successes they have had. Register at the link below and help us build a picture of what is really happening across the country. We will send you newsletters on the progress of the campaign and a practical guide in July. Go to the Historic Places of Worship Survey
Other Sites to Visit
A wide range of resources have been produced for the General Election by Churches and Christian charities. Please follow the links below to see what they are saying in the run up to the election:
Baptist Union of Great Britain
Bible Society's take on faith and politics on the Susa site
Help persuade your Parliamentary candidates to sign the Sanctuary Pledge
Does your MP back the Robin Hood Tax on bankers to raise money for the poor?
For further information please e-mail.
