Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

what's new - archive

press release

 

FROM CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND
PRESS RELEASE
13 NOVEMBER 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE USE

WAITING FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST DURING AN ECONOMIC RECESSION

In a world still reeling from last year's economic recession, which had a profound effect on both the industrialised world and the emerging economies, can Christians still look forward to the promise of Christmas with the same degree of hope for the future?

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland has provided a new on-line Advent course, which explores the current economic crisis in relation to the Churches shared Christian beliefs and values. As Advent is a time of journeying in preparation and hope for Christmas, the Bible readings, prayers and suggestions for action seek to move us towards being a positive force for change in the world.

In his introduction to the course, the author Dr Pat Logan draws three lessons from the economic crisis that underpin it:

From this Dr Logan develops a focus for each of the four weeks of Advent:

The Advent course culminates in a reflection for Christmas Eve that lays bare the implication of God's coming into the world in flesh and blood: "Advent hope arises and becomes strong not by abstract discussions of the meaning of justice or even by clear visions of the type of reforms that are needed but by solidarity with the victims of the injustice by which some of us have a modicum of prosperity, whether they be on our doorstep or on the other side of the planet."

Through the weeks people are encouraged to remember and pray for a variety of daily realities and challenges, including a wide range of real-life situations from the World Bank, small businesses, entrepreneurs and whistleblowers to fraud agencies.

There is also a Sunday Worship Preparation Guide, an Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy, and a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols outline.

Welcoming the new material, the Revd Bob Fyffe, CTBI general secretary, said, "These Advent resources are a serious attempt to engage with and understand the current economic situation. We believe that they will help Christians in Britain and Ireland to grasp the complex realities and relationships of faith, society and the world economy, and will help us discover what the coming of Christ at Christmas can mean for those who long for a better and different kind of world."

All the CTBI Advent materials are available for free download at www.ctbi.org.uk/advent.

Notes for editors:

a sign saying \'News\'
© Churches Together in Britain and Ireland - see website for details - www.ctbi.org.uk