<div id="paragraphs-introduction-8052"><div><div>The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have today announced a new commission aimed at developing a radical and inspiring vision, drawing on Christian theology and tradition, that reimagines care and support. The Commission will set out proposals to achieve this vision.</div></div></div><div id="paragraphs-text-8053"><div><div>The origin of the Commission lies in Archbishop Justin’s 2018 book ‘Reimagining Britain: Foundations for Hope’. As the Archbishop articulated in a key chapter, ‘Health – and Healing for Brokenness’, caring equally for the health of all, regardless of perceived economic or societal value, is a clear sign of our values.The Commission aims to articulate the enduring values and principles which should underpin care and caring. It will seek to shape how we respond to ageing and disability in our society, challenging existing attitudes and models of care, where appropriate, and highlighting the positive and where things are working well.The Commission will aim to contribute to the national debate on the purpose of care and support and inform how care is provided in future, by identifying practical ideas, informed by extensive listening, and gathering examples of good practice. The Commission’s work aims to support the work of churches in communities across the country and to shape public policy as it relates to the nature and provision of care.The Commission will comprise up to 12 members, each bringing specific expertise and experience in the area, and will welcome contributions to its thinking from as broad a range of individuals and organisations as possible including all church traditions and other faith communities. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said:“At the heart of Jesus’ teaching is the belief that every single person deserves to receive the dignity and love that God offers them in abundance. Adults who need help and support to meet their needs are an integral part of our society, as are those who offer care in many different ways. We are called to welcome their gifts, learn from their experiences and support them where needed. Our prayer is that this Commission might be radical, visionary and challenging. We hope it may help us hear the voices of those who have been ignored, address the issues that have long been considered ‘too difficult’ and deeply examine the values we hold which are at the heart of how we treat those we live within society.”The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said:“We have been drawn back to the core values of society and community during the last 12 months. Society is richer when there is dignity for all and we treat one another with compassion. We have become more aware of gaps in our society: we have not sufficiently valued and loved many people in care and those living with a disability. This Commission will advocate for them and will explore what it means to provide effective care and support in their communities. I will be praying for its work over the coming months.”The CEO of Ageing Better, Dr Anna Dixon MBE, who will Chair the Commission, said:“Sadly, today too many people are without the care and support they need to live a full life. I am delighted to have been asked to Chair the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care.“There is an urgent need for a new vision for care that is clear about its purpose and value and the values that underpin it. A vision that puts people and relationships at its heart and redefines the status of caregivers, both paid and unpaid, and those who need care and support. “We need to make some radical changes if we are to support one another to live well and fully participate regardless of age and ability; this is an issue for all of us, for the church, other faith communities and wider society.”The Bishop of Carlisle, James Newcome, who will Co-Chair the Commission, said:“I am delighted to be involved with the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care, which will be tackling one of the most urgent and far-reaching issues of our day. We have an excellent Chair and are already in touch with a number of highly experienced potential commissioners, so I look forward to stimulating meetings and a suitably challenging report.’
"Pray all the time," says St Paul (1 Thessalonians 5.17). I don't think he means do that activity we call “prayer” all the time. I think he means make your life a prayer. But to do that, we probably need focused moments of prayer. Over time – like a fine wine maturing in the barrel, or an onion being pickled in vinegar – we are slowly changed. We become prayerful.A love letter from GodThe whole Christian story of the birth, life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ could be summed up as a “love letter from God”.In Jesus, God declares his love for us. What we call prayer, those stumbling, faltering words that we use to speak to God, is simply our response.In other words, prayer can become like breathing. And it needs to be regular like eating. But it is most like loving. And it is most like loving because it is, at heart, a relationship.This is the most basic truth about prayer. Prayer is relationship with God; it is the relationship we are made for. Like all relationships it is not easy to describe. I know what it feels like to be in love. But it is hard to define it. Put together all the most beautiful love poems in the world and they are as nothing compared with a few moments of love itself.Being a Christian is like a love affair. In Jesus we see how God gives himself to us in love. “As the Father has loved me,” says Jesus, “so I have loved you.” (John 15.9)Prayer is an act of love and a participation in the life of love. In Jesus, God declares his love for us. In prayer we come into communion with God to express our love to him.So prayer can happen everywhere and anywhere. It’s not just something that happens in a church or other special place. Neither does it depend on special times – although we probably still need those special times to nurture the relationship.
Click on this link to watch the interview https://churchofengland.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=50eac70851c7245ce1ce00c45&id=e3642ffbc0&e=1d87734465
Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, says: "There is no right way of praying. There are just the ways that are right for you. But there is also the great heritage of praying that we can learn from and explore."It's the simplest thing in the world yet it can seem so difficult. It's as natural as breathing, yet it's hard to find the right words. Just how do you learn to pray?A short reflection series considered ten basic questions about prayer and offers simple helps for making prayer a part of everyday life.These include: What prayer is: When and where to pray; Whether words are always needed; What to do when prayer seems impossible; Praying alone and with others.No-one ever becomes an expert in prayer but this series sets out to help you become more open to God's presence, which is the heart of prayer. It draws on the wisdom of Christians across the ages and offers a selection of easily-memorised favourite prayers to encourage you as you journey into prayer.You can join this programme by going to BBC Radio 4's Daily Service, from Monday to Friday, April 19th to April 30th.You can find out more online at www.churchofengland.org You can always turn to the prayer for the day posted on this website if you need daily help.
