Controversial Poster Outside New Zealand Church

This controversial poster hangs outside St Matthew-in-the-City Anglican Church (Photo credit: www.stmatthews.org.nz )

 

Outside religious buildings we expect to see posters, banners with verses from the Bible or just even encouraging words.

Displayed outside St Matthew-in-the-City Anglican church in Auckland, New Zealand however, many people were shocked to see a billboard which read: “IT’S CHRISTMAS. TIME FOR JESUS TO COME OUT.”

At first glance you may have thought it was referring to Baby Jesus being born to Mary and Joseph (like the Bible story tells us), but after noticing the rainbow circling the hypothetical baby in this picture, largely associated with the gay community, you would begin to realise otherwise.

According to the church’s website, the billboard was erected for debate.  St Matthews clergymen Rev Glynn Cardy and Rev Clay Nelson say, “This year we invited discussion and debate on the sexual orientation of Jesus.”

The church describes itself as “not quite like any other,” has understandably received a lot of criticism from locals- Christian and non Christian because of this controversial poster.

Christian Appeals After Being Forced To Work Sundays

Have you been forced to work on Sundays? Most of us adhere to our employers wishes and go into work instead of attending Church on a Sunday. Celestina Mba however, made a stand and resigned from her job at Brightwell Children’s Home in Morden, London.

 

After making a formal complaint, the case has been brought to an Employment Appeal Tribunal. This Christian in particular had previously omitted working on Sundays but when management changed hands at the Home, she was forced to go work instead.

 

In February this year, Mrs Mba already lost her appeal at a hearing when a judge concluded it was acceptable to work on Sundays. Although she has already been knocked back, this woman is still fighting for her beliefs.

 

 

Church Donates 8,000 Shoe Boxes To Liberian Children

Remember making shoe boxes in school at Christmas? Or even maybe more recently at your local church? Jesus House Church, one of London’s largest Pentecostal churches located in Brent Cross have gathered 8,000 shoe boxes brimming with gifts for children in Liberia.

Originally seeking to just collect 5,000 shoe boxes, the Church decided to aspire higher and have finally collected 8,000 boxes which fill an entire container. The shoe boxes were obtained for charity Samaritan Purse’s annual campaign “Operation Christmas Child”.

Head of Social Responsibility at Jesus House Church Mrs Sola Irukwu gushed, “For most of us it was a life-changing experience.”

These thoughtful donations are inspirational and set a good example for other churches who aim to support charities and organisations helping  the less fortunate, especially during the festive season.

What help can you give?

Church of England Leaders Fight For Women Bishops

Members of the Church of England have expressed their dissatisfaction with their current stance with female bishops.

The General Synod, an organisation who consider and approve legislation affecting the entire Church of England rejected the proposal to admit women into the episcopate. The House of Bishops who met in Lambeth this week at the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury discussed the decision made at last month’s General Synod.

In a bid to reach an alternative verdict, the House of Bishops are already drawing up new proposals ahead of the next General Synod meeting next July.