Stafford Carson : Presbyterian Pastor

As you plan your Christmas shopping, you may be interested to read this.

Christians are “evil” if they resist the redefinition of marriage to allow for same-sex marriage, the Head of Research and Development at Tesco.com has said.

The company has already faced criticism for dumping its support for the Cancer Research ‘Race for Life’ and sponsoring London’s gay pride festival.

If you won’t be shopping at Tesco this Christmas, tell them so on their Facebook page: facebook.com/tesco or email CEO Philip Clarke: philip.clarke@uk.tesco.com

The “evil Christians” comment was made by Nick Lansley, Head of Research and Development for the Tesco website.

He wrote: “I’m also campaigning against evil Christians (that’s not all Christians, just bad ones) who think that gay people should not lead happy lives and get married to their same-sex partners.”

The comments appeared on Mr Lansley’s profile page on the photo-sharing website, Flickr.com, where he lists his employment as “Head of R&D at Tesco.com”. But following complaints to Tesco the remarks have now been removed.

Postscript:

The Daily Telegraph carried an apology from Tesco on Tues 20 December 2011 over the “evil Christians” outburst. The report said that faced with the prospect of a Christmas boycott, the supermarket chain distanced itself from Nick Lansley, the head of research and development at tesco.com. A Tesco spokesman said Mr Lansley’s remarks “in no way reflect the views of Tesco. We are very sorry that anyone might have thought there was any blurring of the boundary between his personal comments and work for Tesco”.

PPS:

This is a reply to my email to the Chief Executive of Tesco which I received on December 22. I appreciate the spirit and content of this response, and am happy to withdraw the final sentence of my original posting.

Thank you for your e mail addressed to Philip Clarke, our Chief Executive, regarding the on-line activities of one of our staff.

I can appreciate your concern that comments made on the internet by a Tesco member of staff, Nick Lansley, might represent the views of Tesco itself.  I want to reassure you in the clearest possible terms that Mr Lansley’s comments and postings, made in a personal capacity, in no way reflect the views of Tesco.  Our values as a company are such that we abhor criticism of any religion, and we knew nothing about Mr Lansley’s comments and postings until they were brought to our attention.  It is not for us to dictate or limit those private views but we do not tolerate statements that insult others or their beliefs.  For that reason, when Mr Lansley was found to have posted material on his blog which insulted the religious beliefs of others, he was reminded of Tesco’s policy and the material was removed forthwith.

We know that being the UK’s leading retailer carries unique responsibilities.  We have a responsibility to show leadership, as we do on issues like climate change and helping to develop our people’s skills.  We also have a responsibility to listen carefully to our many and diverse customers and stakeholders, respect their views and seek to balance their opinions in the decisions we make.  This is not always easy, particularly on issues where opinions can differ markedly.  Whatever the issue, it is never our intention deliberately to inflame or polarise opinion or to make an already contentious debate more contentious.

We very much accept that, however well-intentioned we are, we do not always get everything right for everyone.  I do hope, however, that the explanation gives you some reassurance about how seriously we take the views of all our stakeholders, and the value we attach to tolerance and inclusion. I hope also that it begins to restore your confidence that Tesco does try to do the right thing and does indeed listen to your feedback.

Kind regards

Modupeola Ogutuga

Customer Service Executive

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Manny Ortiz, with Ron Sider and John Perkins at the opening of the new Esperanza Health Center

Here’s an inspirational account of the difference Christians can make in a difficult urban community. Spirit and Truth Fellowship, under the leadership of my dear friend, Manny Ortiz, has initiated a number of programmes which have transformed their local community in the Hunting Park district of Philadelphia. Manny’s wholistic approach to mission and ministry in this urban area has resulted in a vibrant church that brings blessings and benefits to everyone.

Susan Post, Director of Esperanza Health Center

The Esperanza Health Center, which was developed out of Spirit and Truth Fellowship, is under the direction of Susan Post who was my former colleague in the administration at Westminster Theological Seminary. Susan, with degrees in engineering, business administration and theology, is a gifted administrator with strong theological convictions, and a heart for serving others in the love and power of Jesus Christ. Under her leadership, Esperanza provides a compassionate ministry to many people in the community who have no health insurance.

At the recent opening of new facilities for Esperanza, Manny was joined by two highly influential Christian leaders in community development, Ron Sider and John Perkins. We wish Susan, and her team at Esperanza, every blessing and much grace as they continue their strategic work which makes such a difference to so many people.

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Jean-Louis with the presents

Today was the Christmas dinner at Webber Street, London City Mission’s ministry to the homeless. I have a personal interest in this work because my son works there. Duncan Cuthill, one of LCM’s Ministry Directors, wrote this report:

The Webber Street Christmas lunch went very well today! Danes Hill School donated gift boxes to Webber Street, enough for the staff to give one to every single guest!

They were beautifully wrapped and contained toiletries, chocolate, socks, etc.  Jean-Louis (pictured) did an assembly there before collecting the gifts this year.

David Clover, who manages Webber Street, gave the Christmas talk; he spoke on Nicodemus. One person in the audience discribed his message as “really, really, really good!” There was a great atmosphere and the guests were very appreciative of the cooking.

I got talking to a man outside who has been permanently banned from the centre following bad behaviour. Please pray for the staff who, despite our best efforts to make the centre as safe as possible, courageously work in an environment where anything could happen, expressing the love of God in very tangible and meaningful ways.

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Here’s an interesting development in the aftermath of the PMS crisis which will bring some security to savers with Credit Unions. It’s a pity this provision wasn’t in place for the PMS prior to 2008.

Credit union customers in NI are to enjoy the same protection as those at ordinary banks.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) and HM Treasury (HMT) have today jointly announced that Northern Ireland’s credit union customers will have their deposits protected to the value of £85,000.

The change will come into effect on 31 March 2012 when regulation of all 177 credit unions passes from the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise and Investment to the FSA. As well as bringing customers within the scope of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, this move will also give them access to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Martin Stewart, Head of Building Societies and Credit Unions at the FSA said: ”The changes mean that credit union customers will have the same protection as those using banks.

”In January the FSA will be hosting a further round of road shows in Belfast, Londonderry and Newry amongst others to assist credit unions prepare for the transfer process.”

The changes were partly in the wake of the collapse of the Presbyterian Mutual Society, and see the regulation of all 177 credit unions pass from the Department of Enterprise to the FSA and will therefore fall under the compensation scheme, which underwrites savers’ accounts up to £85,000.

Last September, HM Treasury and the FSA published a joint consultation paper on the future regulation of Northern Ireland credit unions (NICUs), a process since concluded with today’s outcome announced.

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Whatever other items are on your prayer list this month, I hope that the Ulster rugby team get included. They are going to face a number of challenging and decisive matches that will make or break their season. What’s really good is that a number of the players are Christian guys who genuinely desire to honour God in their professional capacity as rugby players. This article from the Irish Times is a good insight into the strong Christian commitment of these players, especially the South African contingent who have brought such a lot to the Ulster team. Do pray for them as individuals, and that along with their families, they may have a good time this Christmas, both on and off the field.

The big question I would like to ask them is this: Apart from not swearing, what difference does it make if you are a Christian when you are packing down in a scrum or running into a ruck?

Here’s the full article. Read more…

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