This newsletter is produced for the LINC Prayer Group
MARCH NEWSLETTER
Dear friends.
May we be enabled to proclaim the truth of the death and resurrection of the Son of God in a way which draws people to Him this Easter, and may He give us His joy.
Daphne
(Daphne is a member of Gateway Church, Leyton)
Give thanks and pray…
The Opportunity of Easter
Even a multicultural society expects to hear about Jesus Christ at Easter. Some of the events planned are:
- The BBC1 drama series The Passion from the 16th-23rd;
- Good Friday processions beginning at noon from Oxfam in W’stow High St, from St John’s Church, E11 and from Cann Hall Baptist; and
- All Age Stations of the Cross in the forest behind St Peter’s at noon.
- A more unusual event is planned by W’stow Parish for 7.45pm on Tuesday 18th at The Castle public house offering Jazz music and conversation on the Easter Peace.
Good News for Good news Leyton!
They are short listed out of 600 for the Christian Bookshop of the Year Award.
House of Angels alias Whipps Cross Hospital
The BBC has chosen Whipps Cross to film a new documentary series on nursing, ‘House of Angels’. Filming will last 4 months.
The good news is that infection rates are falling; the bad news that there are not enough beds and that some aspects of maternity services are below standard. Health visitors are saying that their numbers have fallen while the birth-rate has gone up.
Post Office Closures
It seems inevitable, but elderly people will find it difficult. There is a great need for places with reasonably priced drinks where they can sit and chat. Is this a niche that our churches might fill?
Forthcoming events
March 3rd 7.30pm LINC Prayer meeting. For venue ring 0208 539 9291
March 3-9 WF Youth for Christ Week of Prayer. For details ring 0208 518 7707
March 10th 7.30pm Davenant Foundation School, Loughton ‘Hope for Planet Earth’. Ring 0208 781 1741 for details or see www.hopeforplanetearth.co.uk for details and tickets.
Gang members from the age of 11
It is estimated that between 600-700 young people between 10-29 are involved in up to 19 gangs in WF. Two of the youths accused of killing Paul Ehrahon were 13 at the time and are said to have been urged on by older ones standing behind saying “go on, you Youngers”.
Gangs operating in WF were described by Prof John Pitts in a report last year entitled “Reluctant Gangsters” accessible from the Borough website.
Not all are involved in the drugs trade but those that are have a well defined structure. Heroin, Cocaine and Crack are sold to gang leaders (Faces or Elders) who may process and package them before selling on to Shotters, who supply the users; Shotters may be as young as 11. In even a small drug market an Elder or Face may earn as much as £130,000 pa, a Shotter £26,000. This activity depends on protection and intimidation, directed by the Elders and provided by Youngers or Soldiers (14-18yr-olds). Their authority in the street is gained through violent crime. Although many come from the most deprived areas of WF they are thought to be motivated as much by their need for “respect” as for drugs or money. Wannabees (12-15 yr olds) are those at the edge of the gang who run errands, often carrying weapons and drugs, and hoping to become members. Such is the fear generated by the gangs that a number of young people are drawn in “reluctantly”.
Gangs such as Beaumont, Oliver Close, Chingford Hall, Cathall and Langthorne fit this description. Others are just associated with street violence or with specific crimes such as car theft.
Pray for those already involved, pray against others being drawn in, pray for police success in tracking the dealers, pray for a change in the social conditions on these estates, pray above all that the message of the gospel will be heard.
Return to Index for Parish of Walthamstow Magazine, March 2008
