In October 2003 UK Senior Leaders (congregational leaders and members of regional teams) gathered for 2 days' prayer and conversation in Derby, asking "what does God want us to be, as a family of churches". We had some great conversation, powerful prayer, and above all, God spoke clearly through the prophetic.

Then, in November 2003, the European Apostolic Team (EAT) met with 70 younger so-called 'Emerging Leaders' to talk together, and get their perspective.

EAT have met a number of times since the Consultation to consider the issues raised, both by church submissions, and by what God seemed to be saying as we met.

Senior and Emerging Leaders will again be invited to meet with EAT, during The UK Leaders' Conference, to 'continue the conversation' together.

Parental delegation
Phil Williamson, Head of Liverpool Christian Fellowship School, has taken a stance on behalf of Christian Schools against the ruling which stopped independent schools using corporal punishment. The case has become a larger issue challenging the erosion of human rights, especially parental ones, in that parents are no longer allowed by the state to delegate discipline of their children to teachers. The House of Lords have agreed to take up this case as a challenge to the state law, sometime in Autumn 2004. Finance for the legal services of a Q.C. have been provided (£20,000).

Smacking ban?
Meanwhile the anti-smacking MPs and the children’s rights groups continue their campaign. Labour MP David Hinchcliffe, who is the Chairman of the Health Select Committee has plans to table a backbench amendment to the Child Protection Bill to ban smacking. The UK would then fall in line with many other European countries who criminalise parents for using corporal discipline and in many such cases children are taken into care by the State.

One of the positive outcomes of our Court appearances have been the statements made by the judges endorsing the right of parents to use smacking in the home. These statements, published in the Court judgments, will make it more difficult to legislate against smacking. However, if we were to be successful in the Lords it would stop the government interfering with the rights of parents to bring up their children.

Employment of Christians
In addition to this CARE, Christian Schools' Trust and The Evangelical Alliance have combined to challenge an attempt by six Trade Unions along with pressure from the Gay lobby to quash the present rights of religious groups to be allowed to discriminate positively over the employment of staff to ensure that they fulfil the requirements for any such post. This will protect our rights to insist on Christian personnel filling leadership posts in our churches, youth groups and Christian schools. The case will be heard in the High Court from 17-19th March.

Please ensure any links to our site are to the new addresses, not to christianity.com/slm

Imagine if we really believed in God's power to transform people's lives?

Imagine if we were gripped by the difference Christ's love has made to our lives?

Imagine if we looked around at the people we spend our days with and asked God: how do you want me to be good news to these people today?

Imagine if we learned to be channels of lavish blessing to our fellow citizens?

Imagine if we created Christian communities where people were safe to be who they are, and encouraged to become all that they can be?

Online at www.eauk.org/imagine so people can engage with the vision, and dream!

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee have launched an online public consultation at www.tellparliament.net/forum on reproductive science as part of its inquiry into Human Reproductive Technologies.

"For the first time a Parliamentary committee is asking the public what they think about an issue and we will use this to determine the direction of our inquiry. You do not have to be an expert. All views are equally important to us.”

http://europe.saltlight.org/mag/bioethics0402
www.care.org.uk/bioethics/cloning

David Freeman DavidF@occ.org.uk
Richard Britton rbritton@littledene.fslife.com

• South Kent are seeing a growing connection with Rwanda through sending containers via local charity Operation Sunshine and SKCC teams going out annually.

• Abingdon When Roger and Di Cole left to take the lead at Henley Baptist Church, Ed Evans was prayed in as new Community Head, along with his wife Kate.

• Romney Marsh A visit from Gary Gibbs is helping them to focus more effectively on evangelism. They are seeking God about their links with South Kent Community Church.

• Kings Fellowship, Bangor Northern Ireland have just recently purchased a new building as a youth Drop-in Centre: 'Juice' sees 40 kids each Friday night.

• Henry and Anne-Marie Ford are moving to lead Hexham Community Church in Summer 2004, from Basingstoke South Church.

• Geoff and Mary Norridge have run The Marriage Course 6 times with about 20 couples each time - churched and unchurched. In one case a marriage saved!

• Heby, Sweden are seeing steady growth and Andreas is encouraged! Vic was recently there and with Mats in Vastaras and was a great help.

• Town Centre Basingstoke was delighted to have Dave Richards, Kjell Tofters and Phil Norris lay hands on Gary Bastin as an Elder. West Church also had a visit from the 'flying apostles' to lay hands on Darren Higgs.

• Dublin are beginning to shift toward simpler, home-based gatherings - a mixture of trepidation and excitement!

• Barney Coombs is speaking with Dennis Peacocke on 'Loving God - Loving Man' at The Convergence 2004 in Santa Rosa, CA, USA - www.theconvergence.org

Please send news for the next edition to Andy O'Connell by Monday 8 March 2004.

Latest news at www.saltlight.org/euronet. Brochures in your churches now!

euro.net/uk
28 Jul - 1 Aug 2004
Keep an eye on the website for updates.

euro.net/pl
25-31 July 2004
There has already been considerable interest in this year’s event. If you are planning to use Ryanair, book soon, because as seat availability gets less, prices wil go up!

Seminars are likely to include a session on Polish History and culture or even some basic instruction in Polish. There will be opportunities for outreach in the afternoons.

To assist with planning the children’s work, Neil Strike is taking a team to Poland at Easter to provide training and practical sessions both for outreach at Easter but also in preparation for our Family Camp in Wiselka. Looks like the children’s programme will be better than ever this year!

euro.net/fr
7-12 August 2004
Daniel and Maguy Schaerer, pioneers in home-based evangelism, and seeing multiplication of cells in their area round St.Paul Trois Chateaux, are now confirmed.

David Lacour (Calais) has also confirmed as a main speaker in the youth programme. He is evangelistic, dynamic, and has a crazy sense of humour. A new seminar speaker this year will be Mike Beaumont.

Most of the rooms in the fixed accommodation are booked, though some of the larger family rooms, some dormitory rooms are still available. And remember: the earlier you book for ferries the cheaper the price!

Programme and details at www.saltlight.org/events

Leaders and administrators from around the UK met to consider how best to support leaders who ‘follow the cloud’ – leaders who move according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, responding to the ‘now’ Word of God? Obviously we all want leaders who are like this! However, the day-to-day realities of following the cloud aren’t always so easy to implement.

Steve Thomas spoke about being a cloud follower, a people on a mission together, and what he looks for in those serving leaders. We looked at Nehemiah – a mix of visionary leadership and management, rooted in prayer, but alongside practical preparations. Steve encouraged those present to know the vision of the leaders they were following, and how best to communicate and implement that vision.

Mike Hollow, freelance communications consultant from Basingstoke, talked about Communications. There are so many voices clamouring for our attention, and we need to know how to get our message across so that it is heard. In church life, this covers everything from the main message to verbal notices, magazines, websites, etc. Mike useful notes are at www.saltlight.org/adminforum

As well as being inspired, there was opportunity for networking with others fulfilling similar roles.

If you are interested in future get-togethers hosted by the Salt and Light Administrators’ Forum, or to suggest issues that you would like discussed, please contact Mike Poulton at Basingstoke mikep@bccnet.org.uk

Bryn talked of a much greater ministry of Miracles and Deliverance. Vic will now concentrate on the many areas beyond Walsall that he has worked in over the years: India, Nigeria, Norway, and Uganda are already in the diary for this year as well as many UK engagements.

Bryn also had a word for the church in Walsall talking of a time of reaping what Vic had sown – with the prophesied harvest being huge! Mark and Penny Harland will take the lead from March 14th.

Visit www.wccpeople.co.uk/vicgledhill.htm for more on Vic and Jenny's life story.

Bradford Monday 29th March | Sheffield Tuesday 30th March | Oxford Wednesday 31st March | Romford Thursday 1st April

More info from Lesley West or from office@christianschoolstrust.co.uk