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Leeds hosts major poverty conference “We have lost a vision of how we might transform our society,” Dr John Sentamu said in his keynote speech at the Church Urban Fund conference, Tackling Poverty, in Leeds last month. He told delegates from throughout the country, “We are seeing cuts to valuable public services where investment is needed.”
Other speakers included John Bell of the Iona Community and local curate Revd Jude Smith.
Archbishop Sentamu spoke of a "poverty of vision” and told delegates, “We are far richer today yet misery is growing. ... As well as the reality of poverty and growing inequality in our country today, we also face the problem of poverty of vision."
Diocesan Urban Officer, Kathryn Fitzsimons said, “Hosting the CUF conference in Leeds was a great opportunity for Christians in the city who work together in tackling poverty to stand in solidarity with others from across the country.”
VAT protest
Roof theft campaign
(Continued from Page 1) and Grewelthorpe (new kitchen and toilets).
(Continued from Page 1) the ground, criminals will be unable to tell which churches are alarmed and which are not. Precise details of the alarms and their locations are not being revealed.
Alice Ullathorne, Church Buildings Support Officer said, “If passed, after October 2012 churches will probably have to find 20 per cent more money for alterations and other new work. This will cost the Church of England up to £20 million per annum on works to its 12,500 listed church buildings.” The CofE has created an e-petition calling on the Chancellor to bring back zero rate VAT: http:// epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/32229 II
The campaign will continue to be rolled out to other dioceses across the country throughout 2012 until most of the 42 mainland English dioceses and a number of Scottish and
“Poverty,” she said, “causes chaos and mess, being alongside those who live in poverty can be messy and difficult but it also brings gifts of love, friendship and hospitality.”
Welsh dioceses are alarmed. Hands Off Our Church Roofs has been launched by Ecclesiastical Insurance, which is investing £500,000 to install roof alarms free of charge on some of the most vulnerable churches. The campaign is backed by the Church of England Church Buildings Council, the Association of Chief Police Officers and Minister of State for the Home Office, Lord Henley.