UK & Ireland in Brief

A free hub – created by and for urban missionaries – has just been launched by The Message Trust. The Proximity urban mission resource hub has been created for churches, individuals and other organisations sharing the gospel in UK estates and inner-city communities.

It ranges from videos and podcasts to advice and teaching and further topics ‘covering all areas of mission’. Proximity is also to create virtual and online communities with regular gatherings across the UK. The Message Trust explained why it has launched Proximity: ‘We know just how tough urban mission can be … sadly many have told us they feel isolated and under-resourced. We don’t want that to be the case anymore.’

Nicola Laver

A Railway Mission chaplain’s ‘exceptional act of compassion’ towards a suicidal passenger has been recognised with an award at June’s British Transport Police Citizens Awards.

Dereck Grant, chaplain for the East of Scotland, responded to a distressing call from someone at Dunbar station who was in severe emotional distress and suicidal. He spent that morning at the station listening to and supporting the individual, until the necessary mental health support services were involved.

Meanwhile, another chaplain is appealing for Christians travelling on the railway to promote ‘respect and kindness’ during journeys in the summer months.

Tony Miller, chaplain for London South and Southern Railway Network said: ‘As a railway chaplain, I’ve seen first hand the struggles that come with this season: the heat, the delays, and the mounting frustration among passengers and staff alike.

‘As Christians, I believe we should be at the forefront of promoting the respect and kindness that can help foster a more positive atmosphere.’

Nicola Laver

Former vicar Jonathan Fletcher has been charged with eight counts of indecent assault and one of grievous bodily harm. The offences were allegedly committed between 1973 and 1999.

Fletcher, 81, is due to appear at Kingston Crown Court on 7 August. The Metropolitan Police has urged any victims of abuse to come forward and speak with specialist officers. The Safeguarding team at Southwark Diocese is offering support to anyone affected and said it has liaised with the police in their investigations. Fletcher retired as minister at Emmanuel Church Wimbledon in 2012.

Nicola Laver

Daylight Christian Prison Ministries has recruited at least 20 new volunteers to write to UK prisons following a recent appeal.

In the July edition of en, we publicised Daylight’s need for more pen pals in response to a growing request from UK prisoners, particularly among young men.

CEO Gaius Phillingham said: ‘Further to recent articles in the Christian press, Daylight give thanks to God for raising up a significant number willing to write to prisoners in the UK. Over the past two months, 20 new penal connections have been set up.’ But he is looking for others who would also like to be pen pals too.

Nicola Laver