September 2000 Newsletter no.6

Dear Friend,

The purpose of this special newsletter is to provide an update on important JRI developments and to ask for your support and your prayers.

Reith 2000 Briefing Paper

We have prepared a Briefing Paper in response to the series of Reith Lectures 2000 broadcast by the BBC earlier this year and now published in book form. The lectures were entitled Respect for the Earth - can Sustainable Development be made to work in the real world? They have stimulated us to think about the issues involved and to share these with a wider public. We were fortunate to have the help of a professional science writer, Dr Peter Moore, in preparing the Briefing Paper. I enclose a copy.

We have arranged to distribute about 3500 copies as an enclosure with the October issue of Third Way magazine. We have also printed further copies and would like them to reach anyone interested in Sustainable Development especially policymakers and decision makers. We would also be pleased for copies to get into schools and colleges. If you would like copies for distribution please order using the enclosed response form.

Appointment of Development Executive

JRI’s main aim is to demonstrate how sound science and technology and biblical principles of creation stewardship can be applied to current environmental problems and to disseminate these concepts to a wide audience. If we are to fulfil this aim, it is increasingly important to appoint our planned full time person to spearhead this work. We are therefore advertising for a Development Executive to be in charge of JRI’s base at the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education - and to work with John McKeown, our part-time Information Officer, who is creating a web-based resources directory related to environmental stewardship.

A copy of the advertisement is included. Please bring it to the notice of anyone who might be interested, noting also that we are prepared to consider applications from suitably qualified people who wish to work part time.

Our need for financial support

In addition to maintaining the part time post, our present and promised funding would enable us to appoint a Development Executive for two years at a salary of about Ł14,000 pa. We would like to be able to pay substantially more because it is unlikely that we can attract a suitably qualified and experienced person at that salary.

In the hope that further support will be forthcoming, a higher salary is mentioned in the advertisement. We are therefore urgently appealing for further funds (or promises of funds) before we commit ourselves to an appointment, which we hope will be in November. We should be pleased if you could let this need be known and, if you are able to help, please fill in the response form enclosed.

Consultation on Environmental Stewardship

Last week the JRI joined with the staff of St George’s House Windsor Castle in organising a Consultation on Environmental Stewardship. An introductory paper by Professor Sam Berry set the context, after which four thought-provoking papers by Professor Calvin de Witt (of the Au Sable Institute, USA), Professor Robin Attfield, The Revd Dr Murray Rae and Professor James Lovelock led to lively and productive discussions.

We plan to publish the papers and the conclusions of the Consultation as a contribution to the scientific and theological understanding of environmental stewardship and especially its practical outworking. A bit more space between this para and top of picture, to link it more with the para below

A new book

Finally, let me bring to your attention the book The care of creation edited by Sam Berry that has recently been published by Inter Varsity Press (Ł9.99). It starts from the Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation of 1994, which has been endorsed by several hundred church leaders throughout the world. The book is a stimulating and provocative international commentary by leading theologians and environmental practitioners. We are grateful for the agreement that royalties from the sale of the book go to the JRI.

Please continue to pray for our work especially that:

the ‘Reith’ Briefing Paper may arouse interest amongst Christians and others regarding Christian attitudes towards Care for the Earth
we may soon be able to make a good appointment to the post of Development Executive.

With best wishes,

John Houghton
Chairman, The John Ray Initiative

| Home | Pagetop |

	September 2000 Newsletter no.6 Dear Friend, The purpose of this special newsletter is to provide an update on important JRI developments and to ask for your support and your prayers. Reith 2000 Briefing Paper We have prepared a Briefing Paper in response to the series of Reith Lectures 2000 broadcast by the BBC earlier this year and now published in book form. The lectures were entitled Respect for the Earth - can Sustainable Development be made to work in the real world? They have stimulated us to think about the issues involved and to share these with a wider public. We were fortunate to have the help of a professional science writer, Dr Peter Moore, in preparing the Briefing Paper. I enclose a copy. We have arranged to distribute about 3500 copies as an enclosure with the October issue of Third Way magazine. We have also printed further copies and would like them to reach anyone interested in Sustainable Development especially policymakers and decision makers. We would also be pleased for copies to get into schools and colleges. If you would like copies for distribution please order using the enclosed response form. Appointment of Development Executive JRI’s main aim is to demonstrate how sound science and technology and biblical principles of creation stewardship can be applied to current environmental problems and to disseminate these concepts to a wide audience. If we are to fulfil this aim, it is increasingly important to appoint our planned full time person to spearhead this work. We are therefore advertising for a Development Executive to be in charge of JRI’s base at the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education - and to work with John McKeown, our part-time Information Officer, who is creating a web-based resources directory related to environmental stewardship. A copy of the advertisement is included. Please bring it to the notice of anyone who might be interested, noting also that we are prepared to consider applications from suitably qualified people who wish to work part time. Our need for financial support In addition to maintaining the part time post, our present and promised funding would enable us to appoint a Development Executive for two years at a salary of about Ł14,000 pa. We would like to be able to pay substantially more because it is unlikely that we can attract a suitably qualified and experienced person at that salary. In the hope that further support will be forthcoming, a higher salary is mentioned in the advertisement. We are therefore urgently appealing for further funds (or promises of funds) before we commit ourselves to an appointment, which we hope will be in November. We should be pleased if you could let this need be known and, if you are able to help, please fill in the response form enclosed. Consultation on Environmental Stewardship Last week the JRI joined with the staff of St George’s House Windsor Castle in organising a Consultation on Environmental Stewardship. An introductory paper by Professor Sam Berry set the context, after which four thought-provoking papers by Professor Calvin de Witt (of the Au Sable Institute, USA), Professor Robin Attfield, The Revd Dr Murray Rae and Professor James Lovelock led to lively and productive discussions. We plan to publish the papers and the conclusions of the Consultation as a contribution to the scientific and theological understanding of environmental stewardship and especially its practical outworking. A bit more space between this para and top of picture, to link it more with the para below A new book Finally, let me bring to your attention the book The care of creation edited by Sam Berry that has recently been published by Inter Varsity Press (Ł9.99). It starts from the Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation of 1994, which has been endorsed by several hundred church leaders throughout the world. The book is a stimulating and provocative international commentary by leading theologians and environmental practitioners. We are grateful for the agreement that royalties from the sale of the book go to the JRI. Please continue to pray for our work especially that: the ‘Reith’ Briefing Paper may arouse interest amongst Christians and others regarding Christian attitudes towards Care for the Earth we may soon be able to make a good appointment to the post of Development Executive. With best wishes, John Houghton Chairman, The John Ray Initiative \| Home \| Pagetop \|
JRI Contact Gateway Reports Briefings Resource Reviews Events