Hello from all at CTBI! This month's newsletter has a definite social welfare and justice feel; it is encouraging to see so many churches working together to get involved in lobbying the government to protect those who may not have the power to get their voices heard. We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and let us know if you have any news you would like featured in next month's edition by emailing info@ctbi.org.uk.

 Lent Course from CTBI with the BBC

Our Lent course this year is a thought-provoking journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer based on the theme "The Way to Freedom".  As in previous years we are working in conjunction with the BBC - Sunday broadcasts to accompany the course commencing on 26th February.

Resources are now available to download and use for Lent 2012.  Each resource is available in full colour with graphics (PDF) and as a text-only (large print/accessibility) version (Word file) which can be adapted for local use.  More on our Lent page >>

CIRN stresses importance of churches' relationship with Jewish community

Over the past 12 months a major item on the agenda of the Churches Inter-Religious Network has been Jewish-Christian relations. This included a one day consultation where the different churches met together to share openly and honestly where they saw their own relationships to the Jewish community. The result was a strong desire to make a public statement about the importance of a strong relationship between the churches and the Jewish community. This statement can be downloaded at our inter-faith page. >>

For more CTBI news and events, go to www.ctbi.org.uk

Message from the Presidents of Churches Together in England  on the Olympics and Paralympic Games

The Revd Michael Heaney, Moderator, the Free Churches Group, The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, The Rt Revd Jana Jeruma-Grinberga, Bishop, Lutheran Church in Great Britain and The Most Revd Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster have signed a statement that reflects the opportunities presented by the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee for greater Christian Unity. More at Churches Together in England's website >>

Briefing on proposed cap on benefits
The Joint Public Issues Team of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have produced a guide explaining why they think the cap is wrong.
Guide to cap on benefits (PDF)

Alcohol Minimum Price Campaign

A coalition of national Churches and charities has written to the Prime Minister asking him to introduce a minimum unit price on all alcohol sold in Britain.
More at the Baptist Union of Great Britain website

Events

Church of England General Synod 

The Church of England's General Synod is in session from Monday 6 February - Thursday 9 February.  Download papers and listen to the live feed here >>

Our next E-Newsletter will be out on the 5th March 2012.