Preparations begin for the arrival of Common Worship
06 April 2000
The Church of England has announced a massive mailing campaign as part of its preparations for the arrival of its new liturgy, Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, which replaces The Alternative Service Book in November this year.
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Church of England Ethical Investment Advisory Group Recommends Ethical Framework for Genetically Modified Crop Development
05 April 2000
The Church of England Ethical Investment Advisory Group has concluded that the genetic modification of crops is not beyond the range of acceptable human activities but has called for a clear ethical framework for practical applications of the science, whether experimental or commercial. Its approach can be summed up as precautionary but not anti-science. The group considers the potential benefits of genetic modification for humankind to be too great to ignore but does not feel it is yet appropriate to grant tenancies for crop trials on Church land given the uncertainties caused by the lack of an ethical framework.
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Church presses for VAT relief on historic buildings
24 March 2000
A cross-party delegation of MPs has called on the Arts Minister, Alan Howarth, to press for relief from VAT for repair and conservation work on church buildings.
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Statement by Archbishop Nichols and Bishop Chesters on the proposed Government amendment to the Learning and Skills Bill
16 March 2000
Bishop Alan Chesters, as Chairman of the Church of England Board of Education, and Archbishop Vincent Nichols, as Chairman of the Catholic Education Service, have issued the following joint statement in response to today's announcement by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, the Rt Hon David Blunkett MP.
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New Chief Secretary for Mission appointed
29 February 2000
John Clark, Secretary of Partnership for World Mission (PWM), has been appointed Chief Secretary for Mission to the Archbishops' Council, in succession to succeed Canon Philip King.
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Bishop's prayer for farming
29 February 2000
The Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev John Oliver, today prayed with farmers at their vigil for the future of pig farming in Parliament Square.
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Motion calls on Government to help farmers
16 February 2000
A motion before the General Synod, meeting later this month, calls on the Government to develop a long-term strategy for agriculture and introduce a retirement scheme for farmers. If carried, the motion also urges a clear food labelling policy and a reduction in the burden on farmers of paperwork.
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Bishops challenged to learn new tricks
15 February 2000
Bishops are being challenged to learn something new during Adult Learners' Week, 20-26 May 2000.
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Farming, broadcasting and new Church services highlight Synod agenda
14 February 2000
Major debates on the crisis in farming and on religious broadcasting are among the highlights of a short but busy meeting of General Synod later this month. The session will take place in London, at Church House, Westminster, from 28 February to 1 March.
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Almost 100 years - almost 10,000 Readers
14 February 2000
The oldest magazine published by the Church of England, The Reader, has undergone the most radical transformation in its 96-year history. It first appeared in January 1904, "to bring people together, to break down isolation and to open up subjects of practical and pressing interest". Readers are lay ministers who preach and teach.
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