A Manchester mosque has given £52,000 to help develop a United Reformed Church inspired community centre.

The Rev Ed Cox, church leader, said: “The investment symbolises the strength of inter-faith relationships in our community. The relationship between the church and the mosque began with plans to develop a joint youth club which, we hope, will now come to fruition when the centre opens later this year.”

Levenshulme Inspire will see a prominent URC building on Stockport Road saved from neglect, and transformed into a multi-use centre for the local community, as well as providing worship space for the church congregation. It will include a community cafe, meeting rooms, and a media enterprise centre, as well as the church and social housing apartments.

The money given by the Woodfield Avenue Bohra community was promised by the community’s international leader, Mohammed Burhanuddin when he visited. It makes the mosque one of the biggest investors in the Inspire project, which has drawn support from a range of sources, including Manchester City Council and The Big Lottery Fund.

Ed Cox explained: “Levenshulme Inspire has come about due to the vision of local church members and is committed to serving some of the most disadvantaged citizens of the area.”

The Centre Director, Kate Chappell said: “It’s wonderful to see the community pulling together to make Levenshulme a better place for us all; the level of support has by far exceeded our expectations. Levenshulme Inspire exists to celebrate the diversity of the area and bring people together. We look forward to working further with all members of the community in shaping the activities of our vibrant community hub.”

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Writing in his diocesan newsletter, the Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury has warned against growing workaholism, and has commended relaxation and hospitality instead.

The Rt Rev Mark Rylands says that the British have sometimes made a virtue out of unceasing work and have tended to rely upon'being busy'as a way of feeling significant and valued.

“We feel guilty when we’re not working and we’re suspicious of anyone who lifts their nose from the grindstone too long,” he declared.

He compares Britain with France, which has more national holidays per year and an annual shutdown in August. British workers also have one of the highest records in Europe for time off due to illness and stress.

“In our fast paced world, tales of emotional exhaustion and spiritual bankruptcy are not uncommon and stress is a recognised illness. People feel stretched and overloaded – indeed it is expected of them,” said the bishop.

He continued: “We were not, however, designed to be forever on the go. Fast paced lifestyles and little sleep rob us not only of energy but also of relationships.”

Recommending time for"spiritual refreshment", in the biblical trdaition of Jesus and the Hebrew prophets, the Bishop of Shrewsbury wrote of his concern for the young and old who “seek oblivion” in alcohol, and the commonplace use of anti-depressants.

“People are yearning for real rest as the lie of consumerism's ability to satisfy in any meaningful way is being exposed. This deep recession gives us an opportunity and a choice. It could mean that we go on blindly working harder and harder to obtain the things we have grown used to possessing; or it could mean a time to take stock and count our blessings for what we enjoy.”

He concludes his letter by calling upon the church “as a creator of community” to model the true worth of human beings as men and women reflecting God's image.

“Making room for the marginalised and the newcomer, providing opportunities for people to meet, relax, play together and strengthen friendships, is a wonderful way to help people belong and feel cherished,” wrote Bishop Rylands.

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The judge presiding over the trial of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran has extended their detention by two months, it was reported late last week.

No verdict has been yet been handed down from the final session of the trial of the seven, which took place on 14 June 2010.

The seven were taken to the judge's office on 28 July. The judge informed them in the presence of a member of their legal team that their detention had been extended for another two months as of 22 July.

Lawyers for the Baha'i leaders have submitted a written objection to the ongoing detention, making it absolutely clear that there is no legal basis whatsoever on which to refuse their request that the defendants be released on bail.

Baha’is in the UK, amongst whom are relatives of the imprisoned Baha’is in Iran, are increasingly concerned for the safety of their fellow Baha'is in Iran.

"The seven are now entering the third year of their supposedly temporary detention,"said Dr Kishan Manocha, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, the UK Baha'i community's national governing body.

"This continuing detention of seven innocent Baha'is, in grossly inhumane conditions, constitutes an appalling violation of their human rights,"said Dr Manocha.

He continued:"The government of Iran must recognise that its treatment of the Baha'is will remain under close international scrutiny. We call upon the Iranian authorities to accept that they are responsible for this deplorable injustice and to release the seven without delay."

In a statement issued following a meeting with representatives of the UK Baha'i community back in June, the UK Foreign Office minister, Alistair Burt, expressed the government's concern about the fate of the seven Baha'i leaders.

"I call on the Iranian Government to ensure, without delay, that the rights of these individuals are fully protected; that they are given due legal process, including being released on bail and given a fair and transparent trial, in accordance with international standards,"said Mr Burt.

The seven defendants are Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm.

Before their imprisonment, they attended to the spiritual and social needs of Iran’s Baha’i community, which numbers more than 300,000. Ms Sabet was arrested on 5 March 2008 and the others on 14 May 2008.

The seven have been held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since they were arrested. Their trial consisted of six brief court appearances which began on 12 January after they had been imprisoned without charge for 20 months, during which time they were allowed barely one hour's access to their legal counsel.

There are currently 47 Baha’is in detention in various cities in Iran because of their religious affiliation.

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On 6 and 8 August 2010 we again mourn the people who died from the atomic bombings of 1945 and extend our solidarity and resolve to those who survive.

The pain of this important anniversary is threefold. There are the shattered families, recurring traumas and unnatural deaths that have affected hundreds of thousands of people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There is the fact that, 65 years on, nuclear bombs still threaten humanity and deny a lasting peace. There is also the legacy that since 1945 the world is divided into two camps – a handful of states that assert the right to have weapons of mass annihilation and the majority of states that do not.

Such inequity and division is not the heritage of humanity. The Bible urges us to"choose life"so that all may live. As if in response, 65 years after Hiroshima, more and more people are working to rekindle the vision of a world without nuclear weapons.

More than 4,000 mayors from 144 countries have joined the mayors of the bombed Japanese cities in an association called Mayors for Peace. They insist that"Cities are not targets".

In several nations, elder statesmen and former military generals have reversed lifelong positions and come out for nuclear abolition. On several continents, parliamentarians, physicians, lawyers and scientists are campaigning with their peers for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

In different countries around the globe people of faith are standing together for a world without nuclear weapons. The World Council of Churches (WCC) and member churches are promoting ratification of a new arms control agreement between Russia and the US, rejuvenation of disarmament forums and reform of NATO’s nuclear policy.

The WCC and churches from Australasia to Africa have helped governments establish nuclear-weapon-free zones that now cover 116 countries and more than half the world.

The ecumenical community is also preparing for an international convocation in May 2011 in Jamaica on the pursuit of'just peace', a peace where there is no place for weapons that put humanity and the planet at risk.

In 2010, the atomic bomb survivors of 1945 continue to live lives of courage and endurance, witnessing to the hope that no one will ever again suffer as they have suffered.

For the first time this year, the Secretary-General of the United Nations will honour them with his presence at the memorial ceremonies in Hiroshima. The United States will send an ambassador for the first time also. One hopes that the other nuclear-armed governments might be represented as well.

This weekend we turn our hearts toward the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, asking God to bless governments and citizens with new resolve to protect the sanctity of life.

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(c)Olav Fykse Tveitis General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, based in Geneva, Switzerland.

* Prayers and liturgy for Hiroshima Day -http://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/wcc-programmes/unity-missio...

* WCC project: Churches engaged for nuclear arms control -http://www.oikoumene.org/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affi...

The DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal reached £2.5 million within 12 hours of the first television appeals being broadcast on Thursday evening (6 August 2010), and is continuing to attract givers in large numbers.

The donations have been especially welcome in the current economic climate, say organisers. They will help the DEC’s 13 Member Agencies provide the life-support that is desperately needed in Pakistan where 4.5 million people have already been affected and flood waters are still spreading.

With bridges down and roads flooded or damaged, aid workers have in some cases tackled the challenging terrain using donkeys, rafts or on foot. So far DEC members and their partners have helped 300,000 survivors, providing emergency medical care, clean water, food and shelter.

More than half a million people have been evacuated from the 11 most vulnerable districts in Sindh Province in the south of Pakistan where more people live. A number of villages are already under water in northern Sindh where member agencies are already responding.

The ITV and BBC appeals are being presented by actor Art Malik, who was born in Pakistan, and John McCarthy, journalist and former British hostage in Lebanon.

Art Malik commented: “Millions of people’s lives have been turned upside down by this terrible crisis. Aid is getting through to survivors, including women, children and the elderly, but with your help, much more can be done.

He added:"In these difficult times your generosity is very much appreciated. All donations to the Disaster Emergency Committee Appeal, no matter how small, can make a big difference to people’s lives.”

Just £25 will pay for 5,000 chlorine tablets for safe drinking water, £50 will feed two families for a month and £100 will buy an all-weather family tent, says DEC, which brings together the major UK global relief and development agencies.

Brendan Gormley, chief executive of the DEC added: “Once again, the generosity of the British public has been fantastic. This money will have a significant affect where it is needed most. Aid agencies are already distributing medical supplies, clean water and food parcels, but this will allow them to really scale up their response. We need your continuing support to help even more individuals and families displaced, hurt or separated by these crises.”

The money raised through the DEC appeal goes to the member agencies, many of whom have a long history of working in the affected regions.

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To make a donation to the DEC Pakistan appeal call the 24 hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, visithttp://www.dec.org.ukor donate over the counter at any post office or high street bank, or send a cheque. You can also donate £5 by texting the word GIVE to 70707

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Kenyan churches will respect the verdict of citizens who voted in favour of a new constitution for the east African nation which was opposed by many Christian leaders, says Kenyan Cardinal John Njue -writes Fredrick Nzwili.

"Kenyans have voted after having heard what the various people had to tell them,"Njue told a 5 August 2010 media conference as preliminary results showed 68 per cent of voters supporting the new constitution in a referendum conducted the previous day.

"We respect the outcome of the referendum, where a larger number of Kenyans have voted to accept this proposed constitution,"Njue, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Nairobi, said.

The new constitution places restrictions on the powers of the president and would institute a bill of rights for citizens. It was drawn up after violence claimed more than 1000 lives following a disputed election in 2007.

Still, many Christian leaders in Kenya campaigned against the document, because of clauses it contains that they say will allow abortion, entrench Muslim courts and limit freedom of worship.

The new fundamental law is a key measure in a pact negotiated between President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former political foes who formed a coalition government following the violence that came after the December 2007 election.

The constitution also deals with corruption, and tackles land issues in a country where there are huge disparities in land ownership.

Cardinal Njue said the matters that had led church leaders to campaign against the law still stand.

"The truth and right are not about numbers,"he said."We therefore, as shepherds placed to give moral guidance to our people, still reiterate the need to address the flawed moral issues in this proposed constitution. That voice should never be silenced."

Some analysts said the churches had been able to show they were able to be involved in influencing political decisions, while others say they had weakened their credibility by taking a stand on this issue.

As results came in, some Protestant, Evangelical and Pentecostal church leaders questioned the way in which the campaign had been conducted.

"We are saddened by the fact that the pre-referendum process was marked by malpractices and irregularities which continued right into the balloting and tallying phases,"said the Rev Peter Karanja, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Kenya.

The churches urged citizens to remain peaceful and united, and Karanja said they appreciated those who had voted against the text.

"The results do not in any way nullify these contentions. These must be resolved soonest since all Kenyans agree that the issues are contentious,"he said.

Politicians who had opposed the draft conceded defeat, saying Kenyans had spoken in the poll.

"The majority have had their way… we have had our say,"said William Ruto, the agriculture minister."We urge the government to immediately start a process of dealing with the contentious issues."

[With acknowledgements to ENI.Ecumenical News Internationalis jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Conference of European Churches.]

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The University and College Union (UCU) has said a national bursary scheme is required to ensure that all students can access funds to which they are entitled. They described the current system of bursaries as “ludicrous” and suggested it was failing in the aim of encouraging significant numbers of students from lower-income backgrounds.

Their comments follow a report from the university access watchdog, OFFA, which suggests that the amount of financial aid which students currently receive is random.

The report also found that universities with a poor track record of widening participation could spend less on student support rather than more.

A university that has a lot of students from low-income backgrounds is likely to be able to give those students only small bursaries because of the pressure on its total pot of money. However, a university with few students from low-income backgrounds will be able to offer larger bursaries to those students and to support students from wealthier backgrounds.

The money available in bursaries to individual students at any institution can vary year-on-year depending on the number of students from different social backgrounds.

UCU, which represents academic and teaching staff, said its case was strengthened by OFFA’s own research which shows that only two-fifths of students looked for information on bursaries before applying to university. The watchdog’s findings also revealed that one in ten higher education advisors was not aware of bursaries and many of those who had heard of them had “significant gaps in their knowledge”.

“How much financial support universities offer students is a complete lottery,” said the UCU General Secretary Sally Hunt, “It is ludicrous that students’ financial aid is decided in such a random and unfair way”.

She added, “Universities doing the most to attract students from the poorest backgrounds are unable to offer those students the vital funds they need to survive at university. A national scheme would be much easier to navigate and would ensure that those tasked with offering advice to students can point them towards much-needed funds.”

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The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) has urged governments and people around the world to “choose life” as they mark the 65th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Japan.

Hiroshima was bombed 65 years ago today (6 August), followed by Nagasaki three days later. Hundreds of thousands of people died in each city as a direct or indirect result of the bombs, dropped by US forces with the backing of the UK.

The Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said that society must find “new resolve to protect the sanctity of life”.

“The Bible urges us to ‘choose life’ so that all may live,” he added.

He said that, sixty-five years after the first nuclear weapons were used, “nuclear bombs still threaten humanity and deny a lasting peace”.

Addressing current controversies over nuclear proliferation, he added, “There is also a legacy that since 1945 the world is divided into two camps, a handful of states that assert the right to have weapons of mass annihilation and the majority of states that do not”.

His words are likely to be taken as criticism of those governments that maintain nuclear weapons – the USA, Russia, China, France, the UK, Israel, India, Pakistan and possibly North Korea.

Tveit recognized that strides have been made to eliminate nuclear weapons. “People of faith are standing together for a world without nuclear weapons,” he said.

The WCC and its member churches are promoting the ratification of a new arms control agreement between the United States and Russia and reform of NATO’s nuclear policy.

“The atomic bomb survivors of 1945 continue to live lives of courage and endurance, witnessing to the hope that no one will ever again suffer as they have suffered,” said Tveit.

Also on EkklesiaHiroshima and Nagasaki: active remembrance, by Olav Fykse Tveit -http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/12804

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The Green Party are hoping to win the majority of seats on a city council for the first time as they gear up for local elections in Norwich. The Greens are already the second biggest party on Norwich City Council, which will hold elections on 9 September.

The Green Party gained their first Member of Parliament in this year's general election, when their leader Caroline Lucas was elected in Brighton Pavilion. The Party's second best showing was in Norwich South.

Although local elections are generally held in May, both Norwich and Exeter will go to the polls in September after a legal battle over council status.

A number of councillors were allowed to stay in office without facing elections this May, as the councils prepared to become unitary authorities that would take over certain county council services. But the decision on unitary status has now been reversed, leading the High Court to rule that sitting councillors must face by-elections.

The unusually timed election is an opportunity for the Green Party, as Norwich is high on the list of cities with strong Green support. Their Deputy Leader, Adrian Ramsay, is a councillor there.

Norwich Green Party candidates and councillors will take to the streets on Monday (9 August), a month before the city goes to the polls, to find out from local people how Norwich City Council could be more open and responsive. They say that they will put themselves “at the frontline of public opinion” by setting up an interview point in the city centre.

At a time when the Council faces difficult decisions, because of budget cuts imposed by the new coalition government, the Greens argue that maximum transparency is essential in everything the Council does. They say that councillors need to listen more closely than ever before to what local people say about how the money should be spent.

The Norwich Green Party is pledging to “do all they can to protect front-line services”. They accused the government of a “blunderbuss approach to public spending cuts”.

They will sound out local people on ideas for more openness. Suggestions include taking out Council meetings to local communities, asking for examples of Council wastefulness and allowing the public to choose priorities for spending cuts.

The Greens are keen to discuss participatory budgeting, a system which allows citizens to have a direct say in the allocation of part of the Council’s financial resources.

For those who may not have time to stop and talk in the street on Monday, there will also be a suggestion box for written ideas which people would like the Greens to consider.

“A few weeks ago I persuaded the Council to make the first move towards more openness,” said Claire Stephenson, seeking re-election as a Green councillor, “Councillors from all parties agreed to improve the system for scrutinising decisions that the ruling Executive councillors take”.

She added, “Now, with the election coming, we want to show we’re serious about moving further towards the Green vision of a City Council fully open to community participation. Part of that is to find out exactly how the people of Norwich want us to handle the difficult choices ahead, so we’re going out to ask them.”

The"Open Council"initiative is one of three main themes of the Green Party local election manifesto to be launched on Monday.

The Greens also want to take advantage of new arrangements which make it affordable for more households to opt for renewable energy and high-grade insulation to save money on their fuel bills, which can be done either by investing in partnership with energy companies, or by setting up their own Energy Services Company (or"ESCO").

The third strand of the Green manifesto will be a call to support the local economy partly through the"Buy Local"network. They say that this would not only encourage Norwich people to seek out locally produced goods and services but would also encourage local businesses to sign up others as suppliers.

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