Most bishops and safeguarding professionals in the C of E oppose the outsourcing of church safeguarding work to an independent body, according to the results of a survey commissioned this spring.

The Church Times has obtained the unpublished results of a survey on the future of church safeguarding, which was commissioned in March (News, 25 March). The findings from the survey are due to form part of a paper which will be debated at General Synod in July.

The 2003 responses show that — while there is strong support for the creation of a body that would provide independent scrutiny of safeguarding — Professor Alexis Jay’s chief recommendation, outlined in her report (News, 21 February), that day-to-day safeguarding work should be completely handed over to another independent body, has not found widespread support.

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Most bishops and safeguarding professionals in the C of E oppose the outsourcing of church safeguarding work to an independent body, according to the results of a survey commissioned this spring
https://t.co/16xJN366rj

— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) May 30, 2024

What if most of the stories in the Bible are designed to primarily evoke a worship encounter with God rather than a self-improvement task list? We would do well, particularly those of us in production-based cultures, to be suspicious of our relentless need to improve and grow. If we’re reading the text with our minds always thinking we have something to work on, we may be missing the heart of God. Maybe God is less concerned with our improvement and more concerned with our worship.

The text clearly shows we can stay in the boat, watch our friend almost drown, and still end up worshiping Jesus. Now there is a sermon waiting to be preached! “Friends, this week, I don’t recommend stepping out in faith. I recommend staying in the boat and watching your friend take steps. You’ll end up worshiping Jesus either way!”

Thinking about God inspires risk-taking for believers. “Those who believe God will protect them from negative consequences feel more confident in pursuing potentially dangerous or uncertain activities because of a perceived safety net.” https://t.co/txVid49FsT

— Steve Stewart-Williams (@SteveStuWill) December 17, 2023

To keep Ukraine’s artillery crews supplied, the Pentagon set a production target last year of 100,000 shells per month by the end of 2025. Factories in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Pa., together make about 36,000 shells per month. The new General Dynamics facility in Mesquite, Texas, will make 30,000 each month once it reaches its full capacity.

The 100,000-per-month goal represents a nearly tenfold increase in production from a few years ago.

An Ohio-based defense firm called IMT is expected to make up the difference.

Less than a year ago, the surrounding area here in North Texas was just a dirt field. But with millions of dollars from Congress and help from Repkon, the American defense firm General Dynamics was able to open the factory about 10 months after breaking ground.

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U.S. to build plant in Texas to produce 155mm shells for Ukraine – NYT

This will be the first plant the Pentagon has built from scratch since the war in Ukraine began. The plant will produce 30,000 artillery shells per month, about twice the current US production capacity.… pic.twitter.com/HLb19xfKS1

— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) May 30, 2024

Update on the Rev. Jason Hamshaw

The Rev. Jason Hamshaw, the Rector of All Saints’ Anglican Church in Florence, is undergoing treatment for stage 4 colorectal cancer.  The following appeared in their May 18 church email newsletter. “We are deeply thankful for your faithful prayers through what feels like a very long journey with stage 4 cancer. Because the cancer had spread to the lungs, Jason has been undergoing secondary radiation to the needed areas of his lungs. He completes these treatments this week. The next step is surgery to remove the primary tumor. The surgery is scheduled to take place on June 4th in Charleston, SC. We praise God that he has showed an excellent response to treatments so far and are trusting the Lord for this next major step. We continue to value your prayers through surgery and recovery. We know that the work and healing the Lord has in store is for his glory and for our good!”

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Holy God, whose power is made perfect in weakness: we honor thy calling of Jeanne d’Arc, who, though young, rose up in valor to bear thy standard for her country, and endured with grace and fortitude both victory and defeat; and we pray that we, like Jeanne, may bear witness to the truth that is in us to friends and enemies alike, and, encouraged by the companionship of thy saints, give ourselves bravely to the struggle for justice in our time; through Christ our Savior, who with thee and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

30 May 1431: Joan of Arc is burned at stake after pro-English #Bishop Pierre #Cauchon finds her guilty. In 1456, #Pope Callixtus III debunked the charges. #History #heroine #JoanofArc #RIP #OTD #ad https://t.co/vcBQJnfmew pic.twitter.com/cHZBEJykSj

— Today In History (@URDailyHistory) May 30, 2024

Almighty God, most blessed and most holy, before the brightness of whose presence the angels veil their faces: With lowly reverence and adoring love we acknowledge thine infinite glory, and worship thee, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, eternal Trinity.  Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto our God, for ever and ever.

“The Trinity” by Ukrainian artist Feodosiy Humeniuk.#TrinitySunday pic.twitter.com/T0ZrPq22Ta

— Gina Christian (@GinaJesseReina) May 27, 2024

Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

–1 Timothy 4:7-16

"Williams River in Pouring Rain"
"Rainy Day in May"#AlmostHeaven #WestVirginia #Highlands #StormHour #ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/FxKVyIPGKj

— Thomas R Fletcher (@ThomasRFletcher) May 30, 2024