The Parish Magazine October 2023

More documents

Recommendations

Info

12 The Parish Magazine - October 2023 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements Independent And FREE Advice For All Individual & Company Members • Switch to an alternative scheme – If you are currently insured, switching to a competitor can mean substantially lower rates • Pre-existing conditions covered – It is often possible to include pre-existing medical conditions currently covered by your existing provider • Improve your coverage – We can frequently improve your cover whilst also lowering the cost of your premium • Complexities of different schemes – In many cases, people are over insured – we can ensure you are covered with a scheme that meets your individual needs and requirements • Full cover for cancer treatment – Many polices do not cover cancer in full – we are able to advise on your current level of coverage For further information, please call Steve Maguire at M&L Healthcare Solutions:- PHONE 01628 945944 or 01223 881779 Email: steve.maguire@mlhs.co.uk quoting ref: The Parish Magazine M&L Healthcare Solutions is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA Reference number 554206) THE FUNERAL PEOPLE A FAMILY BUSINESS SERVING SONNING SINCE 1826 READING 0118 957 3650 HENLEY 01491 413434 CAVERSHAM 0118 947 7007 ALSO AT MAIDENHEAD, BRACKNELL, WOKINGHAM, THATCHAM TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY FUNERAL SERVICE AND DIRECT CREMATION FLORAL DESIGN & MONUMENTAL MASONRY PRE-PAID FUNERALS, LATER LIFE LEGAL SERVICES BEREAVEMENT CARE WWW.ABWALKER.CO.UK SELECTED Independent FUNERAL HOMES Bathrooms &Kitchens Ltd Plumbing, Plastering, Tiling and all associated work Contact us today for a FREE No obligation Consultation and Quotation 0778 897 2921 markt@kingfisher-bathrooms.com http://www.kingfisher-bathrooms.com 167 167 Fairwater Kingfisher Drive, Woodley, Reading, Berks RG5 3JQ
PARISH NOTICEBOARD — 4 Digital surveillance is increasing in China. A current affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific, 'The Diplomat', provides news and analysis of politics, security, business, technology and life across the region. In a July 2023 'Diplomat' article, Zhuoran Li cites the book 'Surveillance State' by two journalists Josh Chin and Liza Lin. The article points out the activities of the Chinese authorities and companies in capturing citizen activities. Specifically, they report ‘an advanced national database, connecting identification documents, facial recognition data, fingerprints, and travel history.’ There is also in China an extensive network of CCTV cameras. Artificial Intelligence (AI) facial recognition is apparently used to analyse the footage from cameras in real-time, using software provided by various Chinese companies including Huawei and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC). The major tech companies in the country can operate ‘without constraints’ due to the absence of strict legal regulations and only a ‘fledgling’ digital privacy code. The upshot is they are enabled to track phones, monitor online purchases, and decrypt messages. SECRET BIBLES According to the Atlantic Council, a non-partisan US think tank on international affairs, for the Chinese government, investment in surveillance technologies ‘advances both its ambitions of becoming a global technology leader as well as its means of domestic social control.’ Applying that to the church, as the latest edition of the Open Doors magazine points out, Christians in many parts of China know their every move could be watched, through CCTV or online. It’s illegal to access the Bible on the internet and authorities have demanded Christian apps and online resources be deleted. One believer in China, Ming — the name has been changed for security reasons — has taken the risk of delivering secret Bibles. ‘I could be arrested, interrogated and even imprisoned’, he says. One day Ming and his friends were arrested. Ming was freed but not his friends. He is on the radar of the authorities, who regularly search his house. Even within the state-approved Three Self Patriotic Movement, there is pressure. Registered churches have cameras installed and have their weekly sermons reviewed, with adjustments very likely. House churches and small groups are illegal. Ming says he needs to make friends cautiously as ‘there may be spies pretending to be Christians. I need to stay vigilant.’ His father-in-law forbade him to be with his wife and daughter, because of his faith. Life for believers like Ming is likely to get harder. Open Doors asks us to pray for Ming, that he may be reconciled with his wife, daughter and wider family; for protection of the believers; and for the Lord’s compassion on Open Doors’ local partners serving the church. If you The Parish Magazine - October 2023 13 THE persecuted church by colin bailey ‘There may be spies pretending to be Christians, I need to stay vigilant’ Surveillance cameras in front of the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing Matyas Rehak, dreamstime.com would like to make a donation to Open Doors’ work in encouragement, training and provision of Bibles, please go to https://www.opendoorsuk.org/ For more insights, read the Open Doors Parliamentary Report, Digital Persecution: The New Frontier for Freedom of Religion or Belief — go to: https://media.opendoorsuk.org/ document/pdf/Open%20Doors%20Digital%20Persecution%20 Report.pdf References and further reading The Diplomat - ‘The Human Level of China’s Security State’: https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/the-human-level-ofchinas-security-state/ Atlantic Council - ‘China’s surveillance ecosystem and the global spread of its tools’: https://www.atlanticcouncil. org/in-depth-research-reports/issue-brief/chinesesurveillance-ecosystem-and-the-global-spread-of-its-tools/ Open Doors (home and donate page): https://www. opendoorsuk.org/ Open Doors magazine: https://media.opendoorsuk.org/ document/pdf/OD-UK-2023-SEP-MAG.pdf Open Doors Parliamentary Report, Digital Persecution: The New Frontier for Freedom of Religion or Belief: https:// media.opendoorsuk.org/document/pdf/Open%20Doors%20 Digital%20Persecution%20Report.pdf
Page 1 and 2: The Parish Magazine - October 2023
Page 3 and 4: Serving the communities of Charvil,
Page 7 and 8: the parish noticeboard — 1 Notice
Page 11: the parish noticeboard — 3 Feel t
Page 15 and 16: feature — 1 feature — 1 Heather
Page 17 and 18: feature — 2 Ukrainians seek more
Page 19 and 20: feature — 3 Rev Kate keeps things
Page 25 and 26: around the villages — 2 Devon or
Page 27 and 28: around the villages — 3 The Paris
Page 29 and 30: HEALTH Is opting for olive oil —
Page 31 and 32: THE ARTS Poetry Corner Reaping Reve
Page 33 and 34: HOME AND GARDEN Is now a good time
Page 35 and 36: FASHION BY HARRIET NELSON The Paris
Page 39 and 40: PUZZLE PAGE — 2 CROSSWORD 1 2 3 4
Page 41 and 42: CHILDREN'S PAGE The Parish Magazine
Page 43 and 44: Please mention The Parish Magazine

The Parish Magazine October 2023

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?