Action Australia

Adoption adviser knows the value of family love

30/03 Canberra Times | A Canberra mother of eight whose brood includes six children adopted from overseas has been appointed by the Federal Government to a new National Peak Overseas Adoption Support Group. Julia Rollings was announced as one of the 16-member body by Attorney-General Robert McClelland yesterday. The group will advise the Government on the complex issues involved in intercountry adoption including streamlining a raft of different state and territory laws, requirements and support services.

Over the past 19 years, Mrs Rollings and her husband, Barry, have adopted Madhu, 21, Sadan, 16, Akil, 14, and Sabila, 13, from India, Joel, 19, from Taiwan, and Haden, 19, from Korea. They have two daughters Briony, 22, and Alix, 27. Some of the children have special needs. Mrs Rollings traces the decision to her and Mr Rollings' understanding they could love children who weren't born to them.
"And after we had done it once, we'd seen so many children who needed families," she said.

Mrs Rollings has also been a driving force behind the Adoptive Families Association of the ACT a body which helps those who have adopted or who want to adopt. She was on the committee for 18 years and president for eight. She said the national peak group was a positive step. It fulfils a recommendation in the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Human Services report, Overseas Adoption in Australia.

Labor Rollback on Indigenous Affairs - PORNOGRAPHY to be available in NT via Subscription TV

23/03 Sharman Stone - Media Release | Shadow Minister for Environment, Heritage, the Arts and Indigenous Affairs, Dr Sharman Stone, was stunned to hear Labor backbencher Daryl Melham admit in Parliament today that Labor’s Northern Territory Intervention measures were to be ‘rolled back’. Dr Stone said Mr Melham’s comments were offensive to all Australians who have insisted that the sexual abuse of indigenous children be seriously addressed.

... “The Rudd Labor Government has decided that pornography on subscription television will now not be banned unless it exceeds 35 per cent of the content over seven days or the community asks for it to be banned. There is no more heinous crime in human society than child sexual abuse. I am appalled and saddened that Labor has decided to allow a main source of pornography into these communities to continue.

PRAYER: FOR A HEART OF COMPASSION FOR THE POOR

Good times?

An Australian report has been released which highlights that, despite a substantial increase in personal income over the past decade, wealthy Australians are giving very little to charity.

19/03 The Maxim Institute - New Zealand | An Australian report has been released which highlights that, despite a substantial increase in personal income over the past decade, wealthy Australians are giving very little to charity. The report highlights the vast influence that private individuals can have on their country and communities, and suggests that we should be encouraging those in such a financial position to realise this potential and begin to dig deeper.

Good Times and Philanthropy: Giving by Australia's Affluent, commissioned by the Petre Foundation, shows that wealthy Australians are giving far less than their American counterparts—and that perhaps as many as 40 percent give nothing at all. The report defines "wealthy" as those who have assets of A$1.3 million or more, or who earn upwards of A$100,000. While over the past ten years the average income of those considered wealthy has increased by 36 percent, their average giving, although increasing in dollar terms, has only increased minimally as a percentage, from 0.36 to 0.45 percent of their taxable income.

Although measurements in this area are always difficult, the figures available suggest that compared with the United States, New Zealand is not faring well either. Philanthropy New Zealand's Giving New Zealand report, released last year, shows that in the 2005/2006 financial year New Zealanders gave approximately $1.25 billion to charity. This may sound like a large amount, but in fact equates to around 0.81 percent of GDP, or $91 per person. By comparison, in the United States approximately 2.2 percent of GDP is given.

Australia's report highlights the significant impact that private giving has on the charitable sector, and the overwhelming benefits that can occur from people choosing to invest in those doing good work in their community. It recommends different tactics that could be employed to encourage further giving, especially from the wealthiest people, all the while acknowledging the difference that is being made by those who do already give. Encouragingly, the report recognises that individual people can play a huge role in benefiting and supporting our communities, rather than looking solely to the government to fulfil this role. It is individuals and families who, through believing in a cause, can offer support when financially able and work together to make a difference in their own backyard.

Read Good Times and Philanthropy: Giving by Australia's Affluent : http://www.petrefoundation.org.au/docs/CPNS_Good_Times_and_Philanthropy_Report.pdf Source: www.maxim.org.nz

PRAYER FOR A HEART FOR COMPASSION FOR THE POOR - “He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need.” Proverbs 21:3

Relationships Bill 2007

Archbishop Denis Hart has written to all Victorian state parliamentarians expressing his unequivocal opposition to the Relationships Bill 2007 :

Men and women with same sex tendencies must be accepted, as all persons, with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Similarly, they, as all persons, should not be subject to discrimination.

It is our view that discrimination in relation to adjustment of property interests was dealt with by the 2001 amendments to the Property Law Act 1958 and to approximately 60 other Victorian Acts.

We are opposed to the Bill in its current form and believe it is not necessary to overcome discrimination which was dealt with by the 2001 amendments.

Open Archbishop Hart's Letter (PDF) to Parliamentarians on 12 March 2008 ...

PRAYER: GLBT ISSUES

“Human Rights Commissioner joins mardi gras parade to highlight 58 discriminatory laws."

18/03 Human Rights .gov.au | Last Saturday, the Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes, joined over 100 marchers from the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) in the 30th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, . The Commissioner called on the federal  government to act on the  recommendations in the 2007 Same Sex: Same Entitlements report . The report identified 58 pieces of  federal legislation that discriminate against same-sex couples and their children in relation to financial and work-related entitlements.   Read Media Release

Human Rights Commissioner encourages Attorney-General to remove all federal laws that discriminate against gay and lesbian Australians. 

18/03 Human Rights .gov.au | The Australian Human Rights Commissioner has also written to the federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, encouraging the Government to change more federal laws that discriminate against gay, lesbian and transgender people not just the 58 laws identified in the Same-Sex: Same Entitlements report. The Commissioner also encouraged the Attorney-General to take strong steps to change associated discriminatory behaviour in our society.

PRAYER GLBT ISSUES - “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Tim 4:3-4)

PRAYER: Victims of the Drug Trade

Sydney the cocaine capital of Australia

13/03 Daily Telegraph | Sydney's dangerous appetite for illicit drugs has turned the city into the cocaine capital of Australia - with a police sting seizing another 250kg of the drug worth $87.5 million. As the alleged members of a major drug syndicate faced court yesterday, figures revealed that the city's socialite set uses three times more cocaine than anyone else, anywhere in the country.

An eight-week police investigation into a South-East Asian drug ring led to the fourth-largest cocaine bust in the country's history.

PRAYER FOR AUSTRALIANS TO DISCOVER THE PEACE & KNOWLEDGE OF GOD - “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Titus 3: 3-4

PRAYER: For the Unborn

HELP REQUEST: Adoption

12/03 Roslyn Philips, Festival of Light, Australia | Last year in Australia, around 80,000 unborn babies lost their lives to abortion - while only 59 Australian-born babies were released for adoption. Five of these babies were from South Australia.  This may seem shockingly low, but is in fact good news.  The year before, NO SA-born babies were released for adoption.

Adoption is considered a non-viable option because of the grief experienced by the relinquishing mother.  No one talks about the grief experienced by the aborting mother.

I am preparing a resource paper on adoption - to be published, we hope, in the May edition of LIGHT magazine.  I would value your prayers as I gather relevant information, including both the pros and cons of adoption.  In particular I would value input from people who have been adopted or have relinquished children for adoption or have adopted children.  Please tell me your stories - happy or sad - plus details of government rules and requirements in your case. 

PRAYER FOR OUR CHILDREN - THAT THEY WILL BE VALUED & BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO LIVE - “Rescue those being led away to death, hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say "But we knew nothing of this," does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? .” Proverbs 24:11

PRAYER: For the Poor

'Crippling impact’ on low income families

9/03 Damir Govorcin for the Catholic Weekly | Australia has experienced record economic growth over the past 15 years, and in this time of unprecedented prosperity, it is astounding that so many Australians have been left behind, says the Society’s State president Barbara Ryan. “Put simply, while the rich have gotten richer, the poor continue to suffer,” she said.

“The most recent research on housing affordability, produced by the National Centre for Economic Modelling, reveals that 1.1 million low-and-middle income Australian households are experiencing housing stress. “That’s one in seven Australian households, an increase of nearly a quarter-of-a-million households since 2004! “Disturbingly, more than 400,000 of those households in stress spend more than 50 per cent of their total income on housing costs. “Many of these families skip meals, put-off essential medical costs, or take on extra jobs just to keep a roof over their heads.”

PRAYER FOR OUR SCHOOLS & FOR THE RIGHT OF PARENTS TO CHOOSE THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION - “Speak up for those who can't speak for themselves. .” Proverbs 31:8-9

PRAYER: For Parent's Right to choose their children's educaton

GROWTH OF FAITH BASED SCHOOLS SAID TO THREATEN SOCIAL COHESION OF THE NATION

11/03 Australian Prayer Network Newsletter | The thrust of the following story is of significant concern to Christians coming as the comments do from the recently appointed head of the National Curriculum Board. It is likely to reflect the policy directions of the new Minister for Education and Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and should be a matter of ongoing prayer by all who have an interest in maintaining a ongoing Christian influence in our eduction system)

The rapid growth of faith-based schools under the previous federal government has threatened the social cohesion of the nation, according to Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard's most senior education adviser.

PRAYER FOR OUR SCHOOLS & FOR THE RIGHT OF PARENTS TO CHOOSE THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION - “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

PRAYER: For Free Speech

WATCH new US TV/DVD series Silencing The Christians online!

11/03 American Family Association | Over 42,000 individuals watched the opening episode of this new US TV/DVD series Silencing The Christians online!

WATCH the first episode of this awesome series online

PRAYER: For Community Peace

White flight leaves system segregated by race

10/03 Anna Patty, Education Editor for SMH | WHITE students are fleeing public schools, leaving behind those of Aboriginal and Middle Eastern origin, a secret report by high school principals reveals. The NSW Secondary Principals Council conducted a confidential survey which raises serious concerns about "white flight" undermining the public education system and threatening social cohesion. Some teachers and principals have described it as "de facto apartheid". The findings are backed by research from the University of Western Sydney, which has identified evidence of racial conflict in schools in the wake of the Cronulla riots. It also suggests students of Anglo-European descent are avoiding some schools with students of mainly Asian background.

Not only have some public schools lost enrolments; they have become racially segregated. In pockets of rural and remote NSW, Aboriginal students fill public schools and white students attend Catholic and other private schools in the same town. Around Sydney, the parents of some Anglo-European students are avoiding what they perceive as predominantly Lebanese, Muslim and Asian schools. In New England, in towns such as Armidale, white middle-class students are flocking to Catholic and independent schools. In their report, principals say this is so the students can "get away from their local school".

... Principals in New England said 56 per cent of the Anglo-European students who had left their schools had gone to a nearby Catholic or independent school. In North Sydney, 35 per cent of students who had left the public system went to a nearby private school. The report shows the percentage of Anglo-European students in public schools has decreased by a third in western NSW, by 42 per cent in North Sydney and 37 per cent in New England. A University of Western Sydney academic, Carol Reid, has also found that one in four male students surveyed in Sydney's south and west had been involved in ethnic conflict.

PRAYER FOR NSW - FOR STRATEGIES TO PROVIDE PEACE IN HER COMMUNITIES - The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence for ever. (Psalm 32:17) This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14)

Radical Rulings: The History of Judicial Activism

08/03 CBN News, USA | CBN News looks at the two cases -- unknown to many Americans -- that laid the groundwork for some of today's most controversial laws ... an insightful video that helps us to understand focus issues & battles we face in Australia

Watch this insightful CBN Interview online

PRAYER: For the Protection of Future Generations

Child protection at breaking point

08/03 The Herald Sun | VICTORIA'S child protection system is at breaking point, with juvenile delinquents binge drinking, chroming and having unsafe sex in government-run facilities as the number of youths in state care soars. The child safety watchdog says the care system is crumbling, with stressed staff quitting and putting Victoria's 380 residential care children at risk.

THE number of children in out-of-home care has ballooned 49 per cent in Victoria and 102 per cent nationally over the past decade.
VICTORIA has more children in residential care than any other state. Victoria's 149 residential care facilities, set up for those aged under 17 who are at risk of abuse or neglect at home, are run by DHS staff and community groups. About half the Victorian children ordered out of their homes are placed in foster care while 7 per cent end up in a residential facility. Child Safety Commissioner Bernie Geary said the youths were hard to handle because of their troubled past. "They just have this incredible distrust of any person or institutional connection and, as a consequence, they are very hard to care for," Mr Geary said.

... The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's latest Child Protection Australia report says the number of Victorian children in out-of-home care has increased from 3393 in 1997 to a peak of 5052 last year. It says drug abuse by parents, mental health problems and family violence contributed to the rise. There are more than 28,000 children living out of home by court order across the country, up from 14,000 a decade ago.

PRAYER FOR VICTORIA - FOR STRATEGIES TO PROTECT HER FUTURE GENERATIONS - "the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding. He grants good sense to the godly-his saints. He is their shield, protecting them and guarding their pathway. He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision every time. Proverbs 2:6-9 (LIV)

PRAYER: For Leaders who will set the right example

HIV infections to soar by 75 per cent

03/03 Adam Cresswell for The Australian | HIV infection rates are forecast to soar by nearly 75 per cent in parts of Australia over the next seven years, fuelled by a rise in unsafe sex between men. An analysis of infection rates in the eastern states has shown that if trends continue, infections will rise by 73.5 per cent in Victoria, and by almost 20per cent in Queensland, by 2015.

... The biggest increase was in Victoria, which by 2006 had seen its annual number of new infections among gay men rise by 96per cent from the 102 recorded in 1999. In Queensland, the number increased by 68 per cent from 85 in 1999, and in NSW, the 313 new infections reported in 1999 rose by just 7.3 per cent.

.... "The only way we could account for the increases that were observed is with the coupling of both the direct effects of the lack of protection due to decreased condom use, with the increase in other sexually transmitted infections also caused by decreased condom use," he said. Having another sexually transmitted infection, such as gonorrhoea or syphilis, increases the risk of both acquiring HIV and passing the virus to an uninfected partner.

.... Jonathan Anderson, president of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine, said the increases in infection rates already seen in Victoria were bad enough, and "we would be very concerned to see rates like this (being forecast)". "It would represent a failure of current approaches to the prevention of HIV infections," he said. "It would mean we need to redouble our efforts to find new ways to engage with people about the behaviours that might put them at risk of HIV infections." Dr Anderson said the Victorian Government was about to launch a new strategy in an attempt to rein in the recent rises seen in the state.

PRAYER: For our School system & Future generations

Exodus in state school attendance

01/03 The AGE | The exodus from Australia's battling state schools has grown, with more parents sending their children to Catholic and independent schools.

Official figures released yesterday showed 66.4% of the nation's 3.4 million full-time students were at government schools last year, falling from 66.8% a year earlier and 70% in 1997.

In Victoria, which has the second highest proportion of students in non-government schools after the ACT, just over 35% of students, or 297,970, now go to non-government schools, compared to 262,948 a decade ago.

While the proportion of Australian students attending government schools fell, the state school student population rose 1.7% to 2,268,377 in the decade. But their growth was dwarfed by the performance of non-government schools, where enrolments rose almost 22%.

The figures are given in the Schools Australia report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The snapshot of the education system also showed that while there was a jump in teacher numbers over the past decade, much of the growth was in non-government schools, where the number of full-time teachers grew by almost 38% from 1997, compared with 10.5% in government schools.

PRAYER: Safeguards against Violence in our communities

Proposal for R18+ interactive games a formula for harm

01/03 Australian Christian Lobby Newsletter | The Federal Government is considering updating the classification system for computer and video games to include an R18+ rating – a proposal which would see excessively violent and sexual games available for sale in Australia. - Link 1

rThe issue is to be discussed at the next Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meeting on March 28. However, thankfully, a spokesperson for South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson has said he will maintain his long-running opposition to the proposed change. Link 2

Currently under Australian law there is an R18+ classification for films and videotapes but not for computer and video games, with any game exceeding the MA15+ rating being refused classification. Representatives from the interactive entertainment industry have been lobbying for years to have this changed.

According to the Office of Film and Literature Classification guidelines for computer games, the regulations for computer games are applied more strictly because “Ministers are concerned that games, because of their ‘interactive’ nature, may have greater impact, and therefore greater potential for harm or detriment, on young minds than film and videotape.”

ACL would contend that the potential for violent interactive games to cause harm has only increased in recent years as these games have become even more sophisticated. If any changes are to be made it should only be to tighten up the MA15+ rating to ensure that games aren’t wrongly getting through in this category. We will keep you informed of developments on this issue.

PRAYER: For our Teens

Research highlights concerns over teenage binge drinking

01/03 Australian Christian Lobby Newsletter | Concerns over a culture of alcohol abuse and binge drinking in Australia, particularly among young people, have intensified following the release of research from the Australian National Council on Drugs which shows that one in 10 12- to 17-year-olds are regularly binge-drinking in any given week, with those figures rising to one in five for 16- and 17-year-olds. - Link 1

Following the release of the research report earlier this week, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said it is time for more government action to reduce drug and alcohol abuse and he will be making an announcement on the issue shortly. - Link 2

FRENCH PRESIDENT UNDER FIRE FOR WANTING SCHOOLCHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND THE HOLOCAUST

28/03 Reuters | If recent media reports are to be believed, the recent divorce and remarriage of France's new Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy have rendered him a lame duck early in his administration. Indeed, Sarkozy lives an enigmatic life when it comes to faith. But then, so did Nebuchadnezzar, King Xerxes, and a slew of other Biblical leaders whose reigns directly affected the Jews.

Following in that vein, Sarkozy is currently under fire for proposing that all French schoolchildren be re-educated so that they will have "open eyes." Sarkozy, himself of Jewish ancestry, told France's Jewish community that every 10-year-old schoolchild should "adopt" the memory of one of the 11,000 Jewish children in France killed in the Holocaust, learning about that child and what happened to them.

The proposal has infuriated secularists who say his plan would "unfairly burden children with the guilt of previous generations warning that some could be traumatized by identifying with a Holocaust victim."  "The emotional burden can have negative consequences for a child who is developing," Gilles Moindrot, a representative for the French teachers union said. "One can not place on a child of 11 the responsibility for what happened back then.  No educational project should be constructed on death."

Sarkozy, however, is said to be undeterred. "It is ignorance that produces abominable situations. It is not knowledge. Let us make our children, children with open eyes who are not complacent."

Source: Australian Prayer Network Newsletter

UK: Scottish Government consults on legalising sex between 13-year-olds

12/03 The Christian Institute | A consultation on whether teenagers as young as 13 should be allowed to have sex is being run by the Scottish Government. The consultation into sexual offences asks whether the law should be changed so that it would be legal for a teenager to have sex with another teenager, providing there is a two-year age gap or less. The consultation, which ends on Friday, 14 March, is a response to a Scottish Law Commission report published in December 2007.

Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, said: "The age of consent law is an important child-protection measure. It was introduced following a Christian campaign against Victorian scandals where children were being sold into sex slavery. It was notoriously difficult to secure convictions because cases often relied on a terrified child testifying in open court that they had not consented to sex.

"If the law is changed in the way which is currently being consulted on, a strong 15-year-old boy could force himself on his 13-year-old girlfriend who may not want sex. If she wishes to press charges for sexual assault, she must prove that she did not consent. This is notoriously difficult, especially for a traumatised 13-year-old girl being questioned by a clever defence lawyer.

The Fallacy of Shared Values

March 01, 2008 - Janet Levy - American Thinker | At a time when 40% of young Muslims in the United Kingdom want to impose sharia law on the country and 36% favor executing apostates of Islam, the head of the Church of England called for the selective application of sharia law in Britain in the interest of social cohesion.

On February 7, 2008, Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury and symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, issued what amounts to a capitulation to the encroachment of Islam and an accommodation to sharia. This Islamic theo-political-legal doctrine assigns second class status to Christians and Jews, utilizes a medieval system of justice that sanctions cruel and unusual punishments and mandates the inequality of women and non-Muslims.

PRAYER: THAT SCIENCE WILL NOT CLOAK TRUTH

UK: Deaf couple claim "right" to have deaf child

19/03 The Maxim Institute - New Zealand | The Daily Telegraph reports that a deaf British man, Tomato Lichy, claims his "right" to have a deaf child will be robbed by new fertility legislation being proposed in the United Kingdom. Amongst other things, this law will make it illegal to use embryos with genetic defects when using IVF technology to have children. While Mr Lichy and his partner have framed this debate in terms of rights, the sentiment they are expressing is more about their desires than the best interests of their future children. It is true that a child born with a disability should be embraced, not rejected. Yet, intentionally choosing to give a child a disability must be viewed for what it is—morally wrong. This case also raises the spectre of the commodification of children.

Mr Lichy and his partner are both deaf and argue that there is nothing wrong with being deaf; they say it is simply a matter of having a different culture than a hearing person. Therefore, in their view, rejecting embryos that carry the deaf gene is discriminatory. They also hold that being deaf is not about being disabled, rather it is about being part of a "linguistic minority." However, if being deaf is truly not a disability, the implication is that any challenges the deaf face are really inconsequential. This diminishes the challenges that people with such disabilities do actually overcome and the character that is often seen because of such perseverance.

While Mr Lichy and his partner are rightly proud of the linguistic community in which they live, and of the language related to it, it is another thing to impose a disability on a child. If as a society we accept the self-centred view of parenthood this represents, we come dangerously close to accepting the commodification of children and move one step closer to designer babies.

This case further highlights the myriad number of problems related to genetic screening and some fertility treatments. A reasonable parent does not want their child to be disabled. In the final analysis wanting a child to be disabled is a selfish gesture.

Source: www.maxim.org.nz

CA Gov. to Intervene in Homeschool Case

12/03 CBN News | California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he'll intervene if a court ruling against homeschoolers is not overturned. And some homeschooling parents say they'll leave the state, rather than give up their rights to educate their children.

The ruling leaves more than 160,000 homeschool students and their families in a difficult position. "Parents -- we're encouraging them to continue to homeschool," Dacus said. "But they need to have their eyes wide open because this is now established case law as it stands right now."

USA: California Court Rules No Homeschooling

11/03 CBN News | A California appeals court has made the decision that only parents who hold teaching credentials can legally homeschool their children. "Parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children,"Justice Walter Croskey wrote. The ruling was unanimous.

Many parents are upset about the ruling, which means they could face potential prosecution if they do not comply with the law. It is estimated more than 160,000 students are homeschooled in California.

... California's Teachers Union said they were pleased with the court's ruling. One board director said that they believe "students should be taught by credentialed teachers, no matter what the setting."

Read Full Article & watch this story on the 700 Club, by clicking on the Player

A US Campaign against the proposed "Day of Silence" ...

If your child's school observes the homosexual sponsored "Day of Silence," keep your child at home April 25.

11/03 Excerpted from a letter by Donald Wildmon, Founder & Chairman of the American Family Association | Friday, April 25, several thousand schools across the nation will be observing "Day of Silence (DOS)." DOS is a nationwide push to promote the homosexual lifestyle in public schools.

AFA is joining other family-oriented groups in urging parents to keep their children at home that day if their local school is participating in the DOS project. By remaining silent, the intent of the pro-homosexual students is to disrupt the classes while promoting the homosexual lifestyle.

DOS is sponsored by an activist homosexual group, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). DOS leads the students to believe that every person who identifies as a homosexual, bisexual or cross-dresser is a victim of ongoing, unrelenting harassment and hate. Students are taught that homosexuality is a worthy lifestyle, homosexuality has few or no risks, and individuals are born homosexual and cannot change. Those who oppose such teaching are characterized as ignorant and hateful bigots.

For Frequently Asked Questions about the Day of Silence:

HOLY CITY CONVENTION 2008

01/03 Christian Democratic Party Media Release | The Rev Hon Fred Nile MLC, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has risen in State Parliament to speak on the Holy City Convention 2008.

"I wish to speak about the growth in Korean Christianity both in Korea and in Australia. I am particularly pleased about the election of Lee Myungbak as the new President of South Korea. As the Mayor of Seoul in 2004 he stated:

I declare that the City of Seoul is a holy place governed by God; the citizens in Seoul are God's people; the churches and Christians in Seoul are spiritual guards that protect the city I now dedicate Seoul to the Lord.

"LIFE" Expo

April 23rd

Highlighting the Frontline Christian groups across the Sunshine Coast Region that work to care for, protect and counsel the community's future generations.

Some community problems cannot be solved by ONE group or ONE church, they need the support of the region. Today's rape and abuse - abortion and adoption statistics are a concerning indicator that ACTION is needed.

Often when a woman is faced with an untimely pregnancy she feels as if her life has ended and that she has ruined her future. We know this is not the case and there are many FRONTLINERS helping them to discover that they don't have to endure the grief of abortion and that their future is not bleak.

For more information ring 07 54423631 / 0401 976625 or email admin@link-zone.net

NATIONAL DAY OF THANKSGIVING - SATURDAY 10th MAY 2008

THOSE BEING HONOURED AND THANKED IN 2008

This year the National Day of Thanksgiving coincides with Mothers Day weekend, Saturday 10th May 2008. 

We wish therefore to honour all Mothers and thank those people throughout our respective communities who nurture, train, teach, mentor or care for babies, children and youth.

This would include but not be limited to: Full and part time workers and volunteers in Babies and Children's homes, Foster Carers, staff in Child Care and Pre-School facilities , staff and volunteers working in Youth Shelters, School Teachers and Chaplains, Youth Workers, Sporting team coaches and administrators.

Churches that have not previously been involved with the National Day of Thanksgiving will find our Church Kit helpful in understanding how they can become involved and the resources that are available to assist them in celebrating the day in their community. To order a kit simply write to info@thanksgiving.org.au advising us of the postal address to which you want it sent.  The Kit which includes an information booklet and DVD is free, and is posted to you at our expense.

This year we are providing Schools with their own kit as a way of encouraging them to understand how they can use the day in promoting thanksgiving to their students, but also, by undertaking acts of kindness in the community, showcase their values to the community at large.  Whether you are a Principal, Teacher, Chaplain, or a Parent wanting to encourage your child's school to become involved, we encourage you to email us at info@thanksgiving.org.au and ask for a School Kit to be electronically transmitted to you free of charge.  

CENTENARY OF THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

Australian Celebration from May 4 to May 11

2008 marks 100 years of ecumenical prayer for Christian Unity following the example of Jesus when he prayed, ‘that they may all be one…so that the world may believe’ (John 17.21).

The 8 days before Pentecost – May 4 to May 11 - are a great opportunity to renew and deepen our unity in the one God which we share through Jesus Christ.  The theme is ‘Pray without Ceasing’ (1 Thess 5.17).

As part of the worldwide historic celebration this year, the National Council of Churches in Australia has launched resources for the 2008 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Across the country a series of special occasions are being planned to mark the occasion.

This year’s resources come from the Ecumenical Institute in Graymoor, USA, where the ‘Prayer Octave for Christian Unity’ began in 1908.  Adapted for use in Australia, they offer a fresh opportunity to worship together locally, to witness to our unity in Christ, and to pray and act for a greater visible expression of that unity.  All Australian Christians are encouraged to link them into daily and weekly prayers, and into other special occasions (such as the forthcoming World Day of Prayer and National Day of Thanksgiving).

Resources are available at www.churchestogetherinprayer.org.au and include orders of service (congregational and leaders’ versions and MSPowerPoint), the 8 Days prayer and reflection materials, and a range of background information and further links.  Prayer cards and posters (for local advertising) are also available from the NCCA or state ecumenical council offices (contact information available at http://www.ncca.org.au/partnerships/state_councils).

For more information, please contact:
the NCCA office, (02) 9299 2215 or secretariat@ncca.org.au,
or the Revd Dr Jonathan Inkpin (02) 9299 2215

Training tomorrow's leaders

There is a great need in this nation to assist those students and recent graduates who demonstrate a high potential to become influential leaders for Christ across strategic areas of our nation including politics, law, media, science, education, arts and philosophy.
The Compass program, an eight-day course in Christian worldview, aims to address this need.

The inaugural program kicks off this Sunday with 40 students at the University of Queensland. For more information and to register interest for 2009, please go to www.compass.org.au .

Lyle Shelton
National Chief of Staff , Australian Christian Lobby