UK & Ireland in Brief

The creator of the sexually-explicit Warwickshire sex ed curriculum removed from use in the county earlier in 2020, has made a comeback with a new curriculum on his Going Off the Rails website.

Jonny Hunt claims his new work closely follows the government Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) ‘curriculum’. A training session must be attended before the materials can be purchased. The self-styled ‘sex ed’ consultant’s biography still includes no academic qualifications in the field of education or RSE (en January 2020).

Rachel Sloan has been appointed FIEC Women’s Ministry Coordinator (WMC).

She will focus on supporting women’s workers in churches, and encourage churches to think through biblical women’s ministry. She is the WMC at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh, a role she will continue part-time. She replaces Elisabeth Smyth, who retired at the end of September.

Staff at London City Mission were recommissioned for ministry with tears of thanksgiving and joy on 8 September.

Noting that thousands are dying without a saving knowledge of Christ, they were charged with taking their trowel in one hand to help mobilise churches to reach the least reached, and the sword of the Spirit in the other, whilst ministering on their knees in prayer.

Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People has called for abortion to be promoted to young girls in Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) lessons.

Koulla Yiasouma told the Northern Ireland Office that it should introduce compulsory abortion teaching to girls as young as 13. The Children’s Commissioner claimed that the content of RSE lessons should no longer be advisory.

The Rt Revd Julian Henderson, the Bishop of Blackburn and President of the Church of England Evangelical Council, has given his maiden speech in the House of Lords.

During it, he said: ‘I come, first and foremost, as a Christian who will seek opportunity to support the convictions and values foundational to our faith in Jesus Christ, and to draw attention to those many today, around the world, who are persecuted for their faith in Him, and then to advocate for the right for all to enjoy freedom of speech and belief, wherever they may live, and to do so in peace.’

A new Baptist network that will connect people with a passion for the environment and climate change has been launched.

The Baptist Union Environment Network – BUEN, meaning good in Spanish – aims to inspire churches and regional associations to grow in valuing creation; to take action to care for creation and people; and to encourage churches, associations and national bodies to ‘take steps towards being carbon neutral by 2035’.

to press last month, Ben As en went Thomas, former BBC presenter and church minister, was remanded in custody at his own request after admitting sexual offences against children and adults.

Thomas, 44, from Flintshire, admitted 40 offences, including indecent assaults and voyeurism. He had been bailed until sentencing, due to take place on 29 September. He was told by Judge Parry when he admitted the charges in July: ‘The inevitable sentence is a significant custodial sentence.’

Andrew Williamson has been appointed the director of Gaines Manor.

Williamson was Youth Minister at St John’s, Woking for the previous seven years. Gaines Manor serves young people with summer camps and youth-group weekends providing the full package of accommodation and teaching. Gaines is part of Camp XL, an evangelical non-denominational organisation, part of the EA, with a statement of faith similar to that of UCCF.

The new evangelical Bishop of Connor, George Davison, carried an NIV Proclamation Bible at his recent consecration service.