ISSUE 1666 Friday 17 December 1999

Firemen on alert over candles for Millennium By George Jones, Political Editor

LEAVE for all fire services across Britain has been cancelled over the New Year, partly because of the call by the Archbishop of Canterbury for everybody to "light a candle for the Millennium".

The Archbishop's appeal has caused some concern among ministers, who are worried about the risk of accidental fires from so many candles being lit in homes around the country. The Church of England and other leading Churches have been delivering millions of the candles in their local parishes.

At five minutes to midnight, the recipients have been urged to light a candle and read out a prepared Millennium resolution. People are being advised to pour water into the candle's plastic container to lessen the risk of fire.

The Cabinet was yesterday briefed by Margaret Beckett, Leader of the Commons, on the contingency preparations for the Millennium. She told ministers that work on business critical systems was now complete in Government departments and agencies, and no remaining risk of material disruption had been identified.

All essential services, including transport, the food industry, banks and public utilities had taken precautions against possible disruption from the "Millennium bug" and other pressures over the holiday period. Although the Armed Forces remain on standby, the police have told the Government that they are confident of dealing with the crowds expected in London and other major cities on Millennium eve and New Year's Day.

But all leave for police and the fire services in the UK has been cancelled over the New Year break.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), December 17, 1999

Answers

Given the 'God-less' content of the 'Millenium Prayer', it will be interesting to see if all the houses it's recited in 'burn down':)! I'm reminded of the bolt of lightning which struck Durham Cathedral after its Bishop had been holding forth on 'modern' Church beliefs [or, rather, lack of them], which prompted one British newspaper to run, in large bold print, the headline "God Has Last Word!"...

Candles in wind for Millennium
Church leaders' prayer omits reference to God

By Helen Carter
Friday October 9, 1998
The Guardian

Church leaders yesterday defended their decision to omit the words God and Jesus from their controversial declaration for the Millennium, which will be distributed to every household in Britain with a special candle.

It is hoped that people will take a moment out of their noisy New Year's Eve parties, put down their drinks, join a silent candle-lit vigil and then chant the words of the resolution, designed to appeal also to non-Christians.

At a press conference the Rt Rev Gavin Reid, Bishop of Maidstone, chairman of the Archbishop of Canterbury's millennium advisory group, defended the wording. "We are hoping that Christians and non- Christians alike will want to take a few moments, on what might otherwise be a very noisy night, to reflect on the significance of this great anniversary.

"It is designed not to be said inside churches. It can be said at parties and in a number of contexts."

The declaration reads: 'Let there be respect for the earth, peace for its people, love in our lives, delight in the good, forgiveness for past wrongs, and from now on a new start.'

Baroness Richardson, moderator of the group, said that no Christian could say it without it being a prayer. For many other people, it could be taken at face value.

But Joel Edwards, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, said many sincere Christians had been disappointed by it.

"This was an opportunity missed to be more specific and use the name and centrality of Christ in this exercise. We have a Christian church which wants to be inclusive, which is very courageous, but it is bound to be misunderstood."

The resolution was composed by the Rev Peter Trow, a United Reformed Church minister from Fareham, Hampshire.

He said: "It is both a prayer and a resolution for everybody, including those without a particular faith."

Canon Nicholas Rothon, a Catholic, said it could be said in public houses, at people's homes and at parties. The candle had been designed as something memorable and it was an opportunity for churches to give something to the nation.

A Gallup poll commissioned by the group had found that many people wanted something different to commemorate the Millennium.

The Rev Stephen Lynas, the Churches Together in England Millennium officer, said: "The research indicates that people do want something special and it needs to be something that everyone can join in with."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Basil Hume, said: "We look forward to a time of shared reflection that includes everyone in our

[ENDS]

-- John Whitley (jwhitley@inforamp.net), December 17, 1999.

"It is both a prayer and a resolution for everybody, including those without a particular faith."

And just who are "those without a particular faith" expecting to answer this prayer? If you don't acknowledge him, he won't acknowledge you.

-- Coder (Coder@Work.Now), December 17, 1999.