What does it mean to love our neighbour?

Saturday 20th November 2021 - Mervyn Thomas CMG

Mervyn will speak about his work with CSW (Christian Solidarity Worldwide), a human rights organisation specialising in freedom of religion or belief for all. Their specialist team of advocates work in over 20 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America to ensure that the right to freedom of religion or belief is upheld and protected. Their vision is a world free from religious persecution, where everyone can practise a religion or belief of their choice. They work to challenge and change the laws, behaviours and policies which lead to abuses of this vital right. For the past 40 years, CSW has mobilised people all over the world to call for religious freedom. They hold governments to account and demand justice for those being punished for their faith – from pastors in prison, to children excluded from education, to young women who are abducted and forced to convert and marry.

A passionate advocate for the right to religious freedom, Mervyn is a member of the World Assemblies of God Religious Freedom Commission, Chairman of the Religious Liberty Partnership (an international network of organisations focused on religious liberty) and is a member of the Foreign Office Advisory Group on freedom of religion or belief. Mervyn has been Chief Executive since 1999, and was one of the founding members of CSW almost 40 years ago. He is married to Wendy and they have two children.

SEE RECENT ARTICLES ABOUT CSW'S WORK BELOW:

Article from Premier Christian News, September 2021

Article from Premier Christian News, June 2021

Call to book a place: 01277 367124 (temporary number during pandemic)

Patrick Regan OBE, Kintsugi Hope

PREVIOUS EVENT: WEDNESDAY 15th September 2021 - Patrick Regan OBE, from Kintsugi Hope

"Developing Resilience, Courage and Change for Men". You may be going through a challenging time and experiencing changes to your life. Come and be encouraged by this talk from Patrick.

Why not think about inviting somebody who doesn't usually attend Church?

Kintsugi Hope was founded by Patrick and his wife Diane, after a series of events that took them to the brink; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. They faced illness and loss in their family and community. They are now committed to working and supporting people whose mental and emotional health have been affected. This will surely be an encouraging meeting.

Call to book a place: 01277 367124 (temporary number during pandemic).

Health and safety measures: We will have windows/doors open to increase ventilation and sit fewer people at round tables than previously, to maintain some level of social distancing for your comfort.

Sports Chaplaincy UK

PREVIOUS EVENT. Saturday 7th March 2020 - Warren Evans, CEO, Sports Chaplaincy UK

Sport is more than an activity, it’s a community of people consisting of more than 25 million men, women and children in the UK - what a mission field! Sports Chaplaincy UK is a Christian charity which has a dream to see an expression of God’s love and compassion in every community called sport. The charity has seen an explosion in both the need for, and people becoming Sports Chaplains. There are hundreds of chaplains in the UK and Ireland, providing spiritual and pastoral care to professional and amateur sport. Sports Chaplaincy UK helps support, train and facilitate the appointment of Sports Chaplains. The charity finds fresh ways of modelling and demonstrating the radical love of Jesus in the life of the wider community. This ministry is, at its heart, all about service - “Serving sport through excellence in Chaplaincy”. Turning rhetoric into reality, what you see will impact you, but how you see, will compel you to respond differently.

“Chaplains can be of help to all sorts of people involved with sport, when crisis, need or difficulty comes”. Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, Former Manager of Manchester United.

Come and hear more from Warren about this work and what motivates him as CEO.

Warren is CEO of Sports Chaplaincy UK and Chair of Global Sports Chaplaincy Association. He has an MA in Sports Chaplaincy and was formerly Chaplain to the Bradford Bulls RFL club and Pastoral Director to the Rugby Football League. He is also Chair of the Bradford Bulls Foundation and Vice Chair/Director of other charities. Warren speaks regularly on UCB Radio, Premier and BBC Faith where he shares his thoughts on the week’s news and also the work he’s involved in.