LATEST NEWS!

LATEST NEWS!

GENERAL & LOCAL ELECTION FORUMS
In the run up to the General & Local Elections, & following the recent successful election forums hosted by Christians in Leek, Biddulph & Newcastle, here are details of local election forums in Stoke-on-Trent.

Please remember to pray for the Lord to have “the casting vote” in these elections. Please also remember to vote….don’t let the Apathy Party win!

Stoke North
Sunday 2 May: 12 noon, Swan Bank Methodist Church ·
Weds 5 May: 7.30pm, Christ Church Tunstall

Stoke South
Thursday 29 April (tomorrow!): 7.30pm, Methodist Central Hall, Longton

ELECTIONS

The Westminster 2010 Declaration has been published this weekend. Like the Manhattan Declaration of November 2009 which drew 400,000 signatures in the US , this declaration aims to set a marker for the political leaders in our nation. This is especially important as the election approaches.
You can see your names on the list as they are logged. The list of opening signatories is headed by former Archbishop Carey.
This is a really easy way to stand up and make your voice heard at a time when the political world will find it harder to ignore it than half way through a parliamentary term.
The Websitehttp://www.westminster2010.org.uk/ (Click to sign here - http://www.westminster2010.org.uk/sign/ )
As reported in today's presshttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7550241/Christians-launch-pre-election-declaration-of-conscience-on-values.html

THE DECLARATION
Protecting human life, protecting marriage, and protecting freedom of conscience are foundational for creating and maintaining strong families, caring communities and a just society. Our Christian faith compels us to speak and act in defence of all these.
Our beliefs and values:
As Christians we reaffirm historic belief in God the Father (who created us and gave us the blueprint for our lives together); in God the Son Jesus Christ our Saviour (accepting his incarnation, teaching, claims, miracles, death, resurrection and return in judgment); and in God the Holy Spirit (who lives within us, guides us and gives us strength). We commit ourselves to worship, honour and obey God.
As UK citizens we affirm our Christian commitment both to exercise social responsibility in working for the common good and also to be subject to all governing authorities and obey them except when they require us to act unjustly.

Our beliefs and values:
As Christians we reaffirm historic belief in God the Father (who created us and gave us the blueprint for our lives together); in God the Son Jesus Christ our Saviour (accepting his incarnation, teaching, claims, miracles, death, resurrection and return in judgment); and in God the Holy Spirit (who lives within us, guides us and gives us strength). We commit ourselves to worship, honour and obey God.
As UK citizens we affirm our Christian commitment both to exercise social responsibility in working for the common good and also to be subject to all governing authorities and obey them except when they require us to act unjustly.
Human life:
We believe that being made in the image of God, all human life has intrinsic and equal dignity and worth and that it is the duty of the state to protect the vulnerable. We will support, protect, and be advocates for such people – including children born and unborn, and all those who are sick, disabled, addicted, elderly, in single parent families, poor, exploited, trafficked, appropriately seeking asylum, threatened by environmental change, or exploited by unjust trade, aid or debt policies. We pledge to work to protect the life of every human being from conception to its natural end and we refuse to comply with any directive that compels us to participate in or facilitate abortion, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide, euthanasia, or any other act that involves intentionally taking innocent human life. We will support those who take the same stand.
Marriage:
We pledge to support marriage – the lifelong covenantal union of one man and one woman as husband and wife. We believe it is divinely ordained, the only context for sexual intercourse, and the most important unit for sustaining the health, education, and welfare of all. We call on government to honour, promote and protect marriage and we refuse to submit to any edict forcing us to equate any other form of sexual partnership with marriage. We commit ourselves to continue affirming what we believe as Christians about sexual morality, marriage, and the family.
Conscience:
We count it a special privilege to live in a democratic society where all citizens have the right to participate in the political process. We pledge to do what we can to ensure our laws are just and fair, particularly in protecting vulnerable people. We will seek to ensure that religious liberty and freedom of conscience are unequivocally protected against interference by the state and other threats, not only to individuals but also to institutions including families, charities, schools and religious communities. We will not be intimidated by any cultural or political power into silence or acquiescence and we will reject measures that seek to over-rule our Christian consciences or to restrict our freedoms to express Christian beliefs, or to worship and obey God.
Commitment:
We call upon all those in UK positions of leadership, responsibility and influence to pledge to respect, uphold and protect the right of Christians to hold these beliefs and to act according to Christian conscience.

NIGHTCHURCH

Nightchurch is planning to be open every Friday and is seeking volunteers. Whatever your age or background, whether you’d like to chat with guest, make coffee or pray for what’s going on, we’d love to meet you. If you’re interested in finding out more, either pop along on a Friday when we’re open, or contact Catherine Cowell on 01782 657566 or
e-mail cowellcatherine@yahoo.com

Nightchurch is a chill out lounge where anyone can enjoy a free coffee, think, talk, connect with God, seek healing, pray and explore deeper questions. It takes place in ‘The Lounge’ on Gitana Street, Hanley, every other Friday. We meet for prayers from 10pm and are open from 10:30pm – 3am http://www.nightchurch.net/

Just a reminder that it is Nightchurch this Friday. It will be great to see you, if you're coming to help. And it's good to know that there will be people praying for us and thinking about us.

We had a fantastic time last time we met. Lots of team members, which is really encouraging. Although it was quite quiet inside for much of the night, there were some great conversations going on outside. A group of 3 lads stood and chatted to me about God and faith for about an hour, for example.

Later in the evening, four girls came in, who said they wanted to "do confession". So they took it in turns to chat to Barbara in the prayer room, one of them became a Christian and they all went away with Bibles, which members of the team wrote messages in. Amazing!

We have plans for a fantastic launch event in June. Watch this space...

Be great to see you on Friday if you can make it.

FUTURE DATES
Friday 30 April 10.30pm - 3am
Friday 14 May 10.30pm - 3am
Friday 28 May 10.30pm - 3am

Thanks again for all your support and prayers and willingness to come and be part of Nightchurch on a Friday.


Blast Work Experience Stafford

Are you 18-24? Looking to get ahead in the creative industries? Want experience working with BBC teams? Well, BBC Blast is coming to Stafford this spring and wants your help!

Blast is the BBC’s Youth creativity service and in online, on Tour and on TV. From first-timers to emerging artists, Blast gives 13-19 year olds the chance to have ago at new creative skills, showcase their own work and find out more about working in the creative industries.

Blast on Tour takes its mobile media village across the country each year offering free creative workshops, showcases and master classes. The tour will be stopping in Stafford, Market Square (29 April – 1 May) and we’re looking for talented young people aged 18 – 24 to fill Work Experience placements.

For more information and details of how to apply, go to www.bbc.co.uk/blast or e-mail blast-stafford@bbc.co.uk


Free Public Lectures in Regeneration

All lectures will be held at:
Ashley Lecture Theatre LT1
Leek Road Campus, Stoke-on-Trent
Time: 7:30pm

Thursday 29 April Dan Dubowitz has established himself as a specialist public arts project manager and will give a talk entitled: Cultural masterplanning: the remaking of Cities.

Thursday 27 May Robert Napier is the Chairman of the Homes & Communities Agency (previously Chairman of English Partnerships) and will give a talk on: Regeneration post-election – is it sustainable?

Thursday 24 June John Dover is Professor of Ecology at Staffordshire University and will talk on Green Infrastructure: a survival tool for business and communities.

For more information and to book a place contact Christine Dover on 01782 294110 or c.j.dover@staffs.ac.uk


Robin Mark & Band - UK Tour

Date: Tuesday 4 May
Venue: All Saints Church
11-13 Whitchurch RoadWellington, Telford. TF1 3DS
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: £13 (Illuminate Bookshop in Shrewsbury)

For more information and book tickets call Rich Clarkson on 01952 258132 or http://www.allsaintslive.com/ or http://www.ronbinmarktour.co.uk/


Level 2 CIEH Food Safety in Catering
(Chartered Institute of Environmental Health)

The CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety replaces the Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene. This new qualification has been developed to address the new national occupational standards in food safety and the recent changes in food safety legislation. We are approved by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health to run this course.
Date: Wednesday 5th May 2010, repeated on Tuesday 13th July 2010
Time: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm
Venue: Dudson Centre
Hope Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. ST1 5DD
Cost: *£75.00 (voluntary & Community groups, charities)
*£112.50 (others)
*includes lunch, registration, course manual and certificate. The certificate is valid for 3 years.
Suitable for: All those involved in the preparation and/or serving of food and refreshments.

Course info: Food poisoning is normally caused by negligence or ignorance. Consequently most experts in food hygiene believe that a reduction in the high level of food poisoning causes will only be achieved by the education of food handlers.
Topics include:
· Food poisoning
· Bacteriology
· Personal Hygiene
· Legislation
· Prevention of Contamination and food poisoning
· Cleaning and disinfection
· Premises, equipment and pest control
Assessment & Certification: Participants will be assessed by a short multiple choice examination, and if successful will gain a Level 2 Award in Food Safety issued by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
Entry Requirements: No formal entry requirements
Previous Feedback:
Delivered in a clear and methodical way – most enjoyable!
Lots of questions and answers
Very interesting and enjoyable day
For bookings please call Miriam or Tracey on 01782 683030 ext 3015 or e-mail training@vast.org.uk or www.vast.org.uk/Training.html