SU News and Media releases

Giving thanks for the life and ministry of John Stott

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:00:00 UTC +0100

WordLive 2.0 launch April 2011

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:00:00 UTC +0100

The new enhanced WordLive website now offers a more dynamic and interactive approach to help users engage with God through the Bible. With three streams that provide a wider range of choice for the WordLive user when it comes to creating their God moment.

New Scripture Union leader calls for a fresh commitment to the next generation

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:00:00 UTC +0100

Scripture Union in England and Wales has appointed Rev Tim Hastie-Smith as National Director to provide spiritual leadership of the movement from September.

WordLive on the iPad and iPhone

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:54:37 UTC +0100

Baigent Digital has developed the iPad application for WordLive, which is now available via the Apple store. The application brings the daily WordLive multi-media content into an interface specifically designed for the iPad and iPhone.

Christians get dementia

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:00:00 UTC +0100

Scripture Union has developed the ‘Being with God’ series of daily devotionals for Christians with dementia.

Leading Bible agencies bring a united challenge to the nation for 2011

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 UTC +0000

Three leading Bible agencies, Bible Society, Scripture Union and Wycliffe, today announced plans for a coordinated approach to stimulating Bible reading across Britain and Ireland as part of Biblefresh in 2011.

I'm a teenager get me out of here!

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 UTC +0000

Teenagers are being presented with a real challenge in the shape of a brand new Scripture Union holiday – SUrvival – one of 7 new holidays launching in 2010. Aimed at 11 to 14s who are up for a hallenge, SUrvival is a short break holiday, during summer half term, in Derbyshire - but it’s not short on action! This holiday will throw up challenges such as racing against the clock to get to the next base camp, learning new skills in camping, orienteering and working as a team.

Scripture Union announces plans for a flexible, digital future

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:00:00 UTC +0100

The leadership of Scripture Union in England and Wales today announced a major re-shaping to create a more cost-effective, flexible, mission-focused organisation. The aim is to minimise overheads and drive resources from fixed costs into longer-term development of front-line mission through field work, publishing and holiday and mission events.

Media Release: The Christian Muslim Forum launch the 10 commandments of mission!

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:00:00 UTC +0100

The Christian Muslim Forum of Great Britain release the first ever set of guidelines giving advice for Christians and Muslims, who want to share their faith in an ethical way.

Scripture Union supports Andrew Motion in his drive to improve knowledge of Bible stories

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 UTC +0000

Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate, expressed concern about English Literature students' gaps in knowledge of Bible stories.

Scripture Union launches Showstoppers!

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 UTC +0000

Scripture Union has launched Showstoppers!, new holiday club resources with a theatrical theme.

Multi-faith youth work training facility opened

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 UTC +0000

The Youth Encounter Centre is opened to train and equip Youth Leaders and Church Leaders to work with Christian and Muslim young people.

Author concerned over message in modern children's fiction

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 UTC +0000

Author Kathy Lee shares her concerns over modern children's fiction in an interview for The Life

140 years old and still going strong

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:00:00 UTC +0100

In 1868 Josiah Spears held the first Scripture Union beach mission while on holiday in Llandudno. 140 years later Scripture Union missions have grown to include international missions, inland missions as well as beach missions.

SchoolsLive goes live!

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:00:00 UTC +0100

Following on form the success of WordLive and LightLive Scripture Union has launched SchoolsLive, a free online resource for school Christian groups.

Scripture Union provides free online resources for Bible Sunday

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:15:47 UTC +0100

Scripture Union provides free online resources for Bible Sunday 2008 based on 'Explorer's Guide to the Bible'.

Lifepath comes to Great Malvern

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:39:45 UTC +0100

Report on Lifepath at Great Malvern Priory

Jack and the Wardrobe launched in Belfast

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:24:27 UTC +0100

A report on the launch of Jack and the Wardrobe that took place at Holywood Arches Library in Belfast on June 14.

Children’s biography of C.S. Lewis released by Scripture Union

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:40:47 UTC +0100

Press release about the launch of Jack and the Wardrobe by Nicola Jemphrey

LightLive - Sunday school resources on a screen near you

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:00:00 UTC +0100

Media release about LightLive - Scripture Union's new online free resource for youth and children's workers

Searching for SUbstance?

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:00:00 UTC +0100

Press release: SU launches new resource for 14- to 18-year olds

Lifepath Olney 2008

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:00:00 UTC +0100

A report on Lifepath Olney 2008

Lifepath Jervaulx 2008

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:00:00 UTC +0100

A review of Lifepath Jervaulx 2008

Scripture Union looking for ‘Silver Servers’

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:00:00 UTC +0100

Scripture Union targets the retired community for volunteers

The Bible – as you’ve never heard it before

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 UTC +0000

Meet Goliath the celebrity binge drinker and enter into Adam’s seductive mind through Scripture Union's Must Know Stories

Have we lost our moral compass?

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 UTC +0000

A WordLive survey of public attitudes to ‘sins’ suggests the traditional black and white lines of what is right and what is wrong are becoming blurred.

Big success for The Big Bible Storybook

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 UTC +0000

Scripture Union’s The Big Bible Storybook was chosen as the Children’s Book of the Year at the Christian Booksellers’ Convention Awards 2008

Scripture Union’s Tribute To Rob Frost

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 UTC +0000

News release about the publication of a revised and updated tribute edition of Rob Frost's Sharing Jesus.

Is WordLive an answer to your prayers?

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 UTC +0000

Scripture Union's response to the results of the recent Bible Society survey on Bible usage, in relation to WordLive.

On A Mission! Western Australia

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 UTC +0000

Members of Scripture Union's Action Abroad scheme leave for their six-month placements in Western Australia

On A Mission! New Zealand

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 UTC +0000

Members of Scripture Union's Action Abroad scheme leave for their six-month placements in New Zealand

On A Mission! South Africa

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 UTC +0000

Members of Scripture Union's Action Abroad scheme leave for their six month placements in South Africa

WordLive set to go live

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:00:00 UTC +0000

A creative new experience in using the Bible launches on New Year’s Day. Scripture Union’s WordLive website goes live. The free resource will allow online users a wide range of creative approaches to God’s Word, including audio Bible passages, video clips, worship songs and prayer activities, as well as a daily Bible reading and reflection.

Media release: 'Creative and spiritual development vital'

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:09:10 UTC +0000

Scripture Union has responded broadly favourably to The Primary Review interim report expressing deep anxiety about the condition of childhood today and the society and world in which children are growing up.

Media release: Easter cracked!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:49:17 UTC +0000

Scripture Union staff and churches across the country joined together to share the story of Jesus death and resurrection with thousands of school children this Easter.

Media release: Bringing books to life

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:48:22 UTC +0000

Charities Scripture Union and Bridgbuilder Schools Trust took lessons in Milton Keynes primary schools last week to celebrate the 10th World Book Day.

Media release: Churches tackle bullies

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:47:13 UTC +0000

Around 32 per cent of children have been bullied, one in ten children are bullied at least once a fortnight and 10 is the peak age for being bullied. These figures from childrens charity NCH, and other worrying facts about the difficulties children cope with have led to a ground-breaking coalition of churches and charities working with children to run a series of events called Building Strong Towers.

Media release: The world at their feet

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:45:53 UTC +0000

16 volunteers have set off on missions to India, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Peru as part of Scripture Unions Action Abroad placement scheme. The placements, which last between six and 12 months, sees each volunteer assisting the local Scripture Union movements in that county in a variety of ways. The volunteers, all aged 18 to 25, will lead assemblies and lessons in schools, help on childrens and young peoples camps, teach life skills and work in orphanages.

Media release: Fresh Bread!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:45:23 UTC +0000

Daily Bread, which has been helping people of all ages grow closer to God for 70 years, is being revamped to make it easier for Gods people to live Christ-centred, godly lives. The first edition of Daily Bread in 2007 builds on the major overhaul of four years ago with a fresh new look aiming to make the guide more up-to-date, attractive and accessible to existing and potential readers.

Media release: National acclaim for design effectiveness

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:44:47 UTC +0000

Scripture Union has won a prestigious national award for design effectiveness. The annual Design Business Association Design for Society trophy, jointly awarded to Scripture Union and its design consultants, Aricot Vert, recognises the impact the movements fresh branding, introduced in 2002, has made during the past three years.

Media release: Thumbs up for Hands Up!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:44:12 UTC +0000

More than fifty local primary schools have received free books thanks to Cambridgeshire schools worker Steve Whyatt. Steve, who works for Scripture Union and lives in Cottenham, has been giving Hands Up books to schools all year after generous donations from Scripture Union supporters and the Deo Gloria schools trust enabled the books to be given to the schools for free.

Media release: Christmas is part of our heritage

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:43:26 UTC +0000

Scripture Union welcomes the statement from the Christian-Muslim forum calling for a retention of public religious festivals and the resistance of a secular mindset which seeks to remove faith elements from festivals which are, at their heart celebrations of faith.

Media release: All have a responsibility to young people

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:42:53 UTC +0000

Scripture Union has responded to the youth research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), recognising the importance of the issue. The problems of modern youth are about adults as much as teenagers, says Scripture Unions Head of Schools Ministry, Emlyn Williams.

Media release: Keep it in the family

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:40:46 UTC +0000

Scripture Union is well known for its work with children and young people, and now families are set to benefit from the movements expertise and experience. Scripture Unions Families Ministry aims to support church activities which enable work with local families, equips churches to allow families to flourish spiritually, and helps parents and carers create a home environment in which Christian faith can grow.

Media release: Back to the future!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:39:50 UTC +0000

Scripture Union is resurrecting its famous competition for budding writers... after a 60-year break! In 1947, Scripture Union launched a competition to find new writers of Christian fiction for children, which was won by Patricia St John, with her entry, The Tanglewoods Secret. The book has been a continual best-seller, having been reprinted more than 20 times. 24 other novels followed and her books have been translated into 40 different languages.

Media release: Fresh Bread!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:38:49 UTC +0000

The Bible is crucial in the development of our relationship with God - regular engagement with Gods Word helps people of all ages grow closer to God and equips them for the challenge of living Christ-centred, godly lives. Daily Bread, Scripture Unions flagship Bible reading guide, has been helping people do this for seventy years. Now its changing.

Media release: Spiritual development vitally important

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:38:10 UTC +0000

Scripture Union has responded broadly favourably to the open letter from childrens experts to the Daily Telegraph calling on the Government to act to prevent the death of childhood.

Media release: More more more!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:36:44 UTC +0000

The Scripture Union holidays and missions programme has grown for the fourth year running, enabling more children and young people to have fun, make new friends, and talk about religion.

Media release: Which way now?

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:35:22 UTC +0000

Last year, Christian charity Scripture Union and churches across the country set up a way to help future Year-11s through this important time of transition thanks to a book called Life, actually and 5,000 of this years GCSE students received the book.

Media release: Life-changing!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:34:50 UTC +0000

A team of 16 volunteers have just returned from a six month placement in South Africa - and many have been transformed! The team took part in Scripture Union's Action Abroad programme, where volunteers live and work abroad, often in under-privileged areas, to introduce children and young people to Jesus in a way thats relevant to their needs and community.

Media release: Exploring the lifepath of medieval monks

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:33:51 UTC +0000

The band played, hundreds of childrens voices sang, and a thousand years of tranquility was broken briefly amid the ruins of medieval Jervaulx Abbey. This was Lifepath, an educational experience hosted for four days last week (July 3-6) by Scripture Union and churches in the Bedale and Masham areas.

Media release: Lifepath from the 17th century

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:33:03 UTC +0000

Pupils from eight schools took over Scrooby village for three days (June 27-29) to journey back in time to the era of the Pilgrim Fathers. Their purpose was to explore life and faith of the 17th century through Lifepath, a multimedia educational experience.

Media release: Schoolday time travel

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:32:14 UTC +0000

Nearly 300 children from eight local primary schools will travel back in time to the era of the Pilgrim Fathers, thanks to Lifepath, a multi-media educational experience that looks at life and faith of the 17th century.

Media release: Holy Superheroes!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:24:23 UTC +0000

Media release: Fact or fiction - Abi's a great storyteller

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:23:37 UTC +0000

Two new books out this summer from Abidemi Sanusi showcase her talent for telling a great story - whether thats complete fiction which masterfully picks up on some key contemporary issues or a more subtle fictionalising of Bible text that brings it with a bang right into the 21st century.

Media release: Moving on up!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:22:32 UTC +0000

Media release: Access all areas

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:21:55 UTC +0000

Two Christian charities have teamed up to help people with learning disabilities get into the Bible. Scripture Union and Causeway PROSPECTS have published a new set of Bible Prospects books, each containing 30 short Bible readings from the ETRV (Easy-to-read-version), simple notes to encourage understanding and response, and short prayers. The books have been published to help the estimated 1.2 million people in the UK with a learning disability access the Bible and learn about God.

Media release: Adam's road to glory

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:20:51 UTC +0000

Scripture Union volunteer Adam Pengilly is hoping to use his Olympic experience to help young people focus on God. Adam competed for Great Britain at this years Winter Olympics in bob skeleton, the event where athletes hurtle headfirst on a sled down an icy, mile-long track at 85 mph!

Media release: Children's workers are heroes!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:19:37 UTC +0000

The new Bishop of Sherwood, Tony Porter, gave a stirring address in his first public engagement at the Diocese of Southwell and Scripture Union Tiddlywinks training event last week (25 March). The event, which offered practical advice for leaders working with under 5s, was led by Scripture Unions Training Manager, Alastair Wood and Nick Harding, Childrens Officer for the Diocese of Southwell and author of Top Tips on All Age Worship.

Media release: Noah's dark

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:18:06 UTC +0000

Forget the cosy childrens story where cute animals happily entered two-by-two, because Andrew Guyatts new account of the Great Flood is nothing like you ve heard before! The Day the Sky Opened, published by Scripture Union is a gritty and compelling account of the Great Flood, looking beyond the traditional childrens tale and detailing how life would really have been inside the ark - dark, dank, odourous, claustrophobic.

Media release: Following in the footsteps

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:17:31 UTC +0000

Vicky Calver is following in the footsteps of father Clive and brother Gavin by releasing her debut book. Illusions of Grandeur: Rethinking Success in the Light of the Story of Joseph, published by Scripture Union, explores the Biblical story of Joseph to see how it can help 18 to 35 year-olds deal with success, or face up to the pain and frustrations of a lack of it.

Media release: On a mission!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:16:21 UTC +0000

A group of Christian young people is set for the experience of a lifetime as they embark on a 6-month mission to South Africa. The 16-strong team is part of Scripture Union's Action Abroad placement scheme, where Christian volunteers serve in local and often under-privileged community.

Media release: What a Year!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:15:46 UTC +0000

Scripture Union is celebrating one of the most exciting years of its popular holidays and missions programme. Recent figures confirmed that more than ten thousand children, young people and volunteers took part in an event during 2005, an increase of ten per cent. But the numbers were of secondary importance to the many amazing stories of God at work in peoples lives.

Media release: Competition joy for new mum

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:21:29 UTC +0100

New mother Hannah MacFarlane was unveiled as the winner of a Scripture Union writing competition for children's fiction.

Media release: Lifepath lifts off!

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:42:47 UTC +0100

Schools go back in time to mark John Newton's role in the abolition of slavery