CHRISTMAS IS a time of generosity, a fact which many charities recognise by timing their main annual appeals in December. Some years ago a survey was carried out in the UK which measured the amount of charitable giving in its different regions. It revealed a definite co-relation between the level of generosity and the level of religious practice.
In the first week of this month representatives of Christian Aid, Islamic Relief and World Jewish Relief met at the Woolf Institute of Abrahamic Faiths in Cambridge, England, to discuss co-operation in humanitarian work with people of other religions. The three already co-operate with projects in the Philippines, Pakistan and southern Sudan. Lessons which emerged from the conference were the importance of talking and listening to local religious leaders, addressing local fears and concerns, and ensuring that relief workers understand the local culture and customs.
Also at the beginning of December, a UN conference met at Doha to assess progress towards realising the 2002 Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Development.
Christian Aid and Action Aid have expressed regret that this did not take stronger action in dealing with co-operation between states on matters of taxation. They calculate that the secrecy offered by tax havens has enabled some businesses trading internationally to evade paying tax in developing countries.
Christian Aid estimates that the amount in tax revenue annually lost to poorer countries through this practice amounts to $160 billion, enough to save the lives of 350,000 children under the age of five.
The Retired Ministers Fellowship will meet at Knockbreda in Belfast on Tuesday when the Methodist president, the Rev Aian Ferguson, will reflect on the experiences of his first few months in office.
Tomorrow Mr Ferguson will preach at the east Belfast mission. Most churches are busy with Christmas services on Sunday, December 21st, and the president will have the opportunity to spend the day with the congregation of which he is minister in Carrickfergus.
The church there has been demolished for redevelopment and Methodists are now enjoying the hospitality of the local Church of Ireland parish, holding morning services in the parochial hall. The Woodburn community centre has provided accommodation for the evening worship.
The service to be broadcast on RTÉ television tomorrow will be led by the Rev Vanessa Wyse Jackson and members of the Rathgar Methodist Church in Dublin. On Christmas Day, morning worship on RTÉ will be conducted by the Rev Nigel Mackey, with members of staff and students of Wesley College participating. The service will be ecumenical in flavour.