A weekend course for group "animators" to develop awareness of the value of small groups and basic communities in the formation of Christians will be held at 'Die Grail Centre, Waxwell Farm House, 125 Waxwell I.ane, Pinner, Middlesex, from February 23 to 25. Cost £14. Details from The Grail at the above address.
CAFOD's new film, The Parched Land", dealing with the Sahel region of Africa, which is constantly threatened with water shortages, will be shown in every diocese in the country between now and the middle of March. Details of the showings are available from CAFOD, 21a Soho Square, London, WI.
Priests and parishioners of St Mary Magdalen's Church, Mortlake, London, SWI4, have already begun to prepare for the possibility of a spring General Election. Last week's parish newsletter printed an interview with Sir Anthony Royle, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the area ranging over issues such as housing. race relations, the National Health Service and defence. Earlier the newsletter carried an interview with Mr Julian Filochowski. the Labour candidate, and at a later date hopes to question the Liberal candidate, Mr Alan Watson.
Miss Joanna Nash, who serves on the British Committee of Aid to the Church in Need, will speak at Bath University, Prior Park Comprehensive School and the local YMCA on January 23. Miss Nash will speak about the hardships faced by Christians in Eastern Europe and Russia, she hopes to set up a local group who will work on behalf of persecuted Christians. Details from Aid to the Church in Need: telephone Chichester 87325.
Latest wills
Mr John Weaver, of Lower Bentley, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, who died last February, left £74,250 gross, £63,026 net. He left £1,000 to St Peter's Catholic Church, Bromsgrove, for the upkeep of the priest and church, and £2,000 each to the Cancer Research Campaign and Cheshire Homes.
Mrs Winefride Genevieve Saurin, of Firs Walk, Dene Road, North wood, Middlesex, who died in August, left £60;106 gross, £59,521 net. She left £500 each to Poles Convent, Ware, Hertfordshire, and the Sisters a Grace and Compas sion, Holy Cross Priory, Heathfield, East Sussex; £300 each to the Catholic Radio and Television Centre Development Fund, the National Council of Women, and the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development; £200 each to the Catholic Housing Aid Society, and the Order of Carrnelites, Allington Castle, Maidstone. Kent; £150 to Help the Aged.
An all-night vigil for the poor, the suffering and peace between nations will be held at All Saints, London Colney, Hertfordshire, on January 20. The vigil will begin with a concelebrated Mass led by Bishop O'Brien at 10 pm. In preparation for the vigil a special Mass will be offered at St Anthony's, Edgware, Middlesex on Monday at 8 pm.
Day of Prayer for Christian Unity, when specific Churches On oughout London will be open for prayer throughout the day, interspersed with normal services and with public prayer at each hour, have been organised by the Westminster Christian Council. They are next Friday, at the City Temple, Holborn Viaduct; Saturday at St Anselm and St Cecilia, Kingsway: Monday, at St Saviour's Church, Pimlico; Tuesday, at Friends' Meeting House, St Martin's Lane, and Wednesday at St Matthew's, Great Peter Street.
The National Student Christian Congress will be held at Aston University, Birmingham, from April 2 to 6. Professor Jurgen Motu/limn will be the principal speaker, and there will be workshops on "Work or What?" "Rationalism and Religion" and "Power to Which People?" plus an introductory course on the application of Christianity to contemporary society. Cost £12. Details from "Vessels for New Wine," Wick Court, Wick, Bristol.
Easter holiday courses for sixth formers, helping to put A level studies into the context of life as a whole and the Christian Faith in particular, have been organised by the International Student Christian Fellowship. Details from 1SCF, 47 Marylebonc Lane, London, WI.
"The National Front" is a study pack drawing together several different publications and designed to introduce readers to the issues involved. Available from the BCC', the Community and Race Relations Unit, 2 Eaton Gate, London, SW!.
"Strike a Light" is a 24-minute documentary film setting out the Christian Aid official policy as a movement of concerned Christians throughout the British Isles and following the money they have raised to its destination in some of the poorest parts of the world. It is available for hire for £3 from Christian Aid, Films and Publications Section, PO Box I, London, SW9.
"Is Anybody There?" is a new illustrated project book by Michael Proctor which is designed to help young people's experiences and feelings as pointers towards relationships with God. Available from SCM Press, 58 Bloomsbury Street, London, WC I, price £1.60 plus 30p postage and packing.
St James's Mission Hospital, Mantsoyane, Lesotho, southern Africa, urgently needs an experienced general practitioner / surgeon. Write to M. R. Bartlett, Administrator, St James's Mission Hospital, PO/MS 3, Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho.
'Hie next British Isles Churches Youth Festival will be held in the summer of 1981. The organisers hope that similar events will take place arqund England as a build-up to the main event and would he glad to hear from anyone interested in organising. Contact British Council of Churches Youth Unit, 2 Eaton Gate, London, SW I.
As part of the British Council 01 Churches Human Rights Forum the BCC's Youth Unit is setting up a working party on human rights. This group of young people is convened by Roger Williamson, who would like to hear front other interested people at BCC Youth Unit, 2 Eaton Gate, London, SW I.
"Facing the Future: Rethinking Christian Spirituality in Political Involvement" is the theme of this year's European Student Christian Movement Conference to be held from April 16 to 21 near Bristol. Details from Rosemary Percival, Student President. Wick Court, Wick, near Bristol.
" The National Children's Home has opened a new Family Centre at the Red Lane United Reformed Church in Bolton, Lancashire. Eighteen children will be taken in initially, although the home is registered to take 26. Miss Elizabeth Cromer, previously with Salford Social Services Department, has been appointed as the centre's first superintendent.
* * * CND students will meet at Bradford University on January 27. There will also be a social evening and accommodation is available. Details from CND Student Committee, 29 Great James Street, London, WC I.
The Queen has given an undisclosed amount or money to the £300,000 appeal for the Council of Christians and Jews. The council said: "The Queen's gracious gesture came at the time we were reporting that we had achieved two-thirds of our target, and helps us towards the final figure." A spokesman said he was unable to reveal how much the Queen had given but that he hoped the donation would encourage others to give.
* * * Bishop Harvey, Bishop in North London, will perform a 'topping-out" ceremony at the new St Thomas More School in Wood Green on February I. The £500,000 building is expected to be completed later this year, and is the first phase of a scheme to house the reorganised school on one site,