'It's morally necessary to speak out in defence of the Bible': Christian school worker speaks of shock at dismissal over Facebook posts

A Christian school assistant has spoken of her shock at being sacked for posting on Facebook about plans to teach LGBT relationships in primary schools. Kristie Higgs, 44, was dismissed for gross misconduct by Farmor's School in Fairford, Gloucestershire last year. The mother-of-two, from Fairford, shared and commented on Facebook posts which raised concerns about relationship education at her son's Church of England primary school. Students were to learn about the No Outsiders in Our School programme, which is a series of books on teaching the Equality Act in primary schools. Mrs Higgs, who was posting on Facebook under her maiden name, shared two posts in October 2018 to around 100 of her friends. In one Facebook post, Mrs Higgs urged people to sign an online petition against making relationships education mandatory.

 
UAE’s first-ever kosher restaurant launches in world’s tallest building

Following the United Arab Emirates’ signing of a normalization accord with Israel last week, the UAE’s first-ever certified kosher restaurant launched Thursday on the ground floor of the luxury Armani Hotel, situated in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The restaurant, Armani/Kaf, is certified glatt kosher under the supervision of Rabbi Levi Duchman, the UAE’s Chabad rabbi. The restaurant said it will provide room service for hotel residents who want to enjoy the restaurant’s kosher cuisine without leaving their rooms, as well as offer delivery service throughout Dubai. Armani/Kaf will be closed to guests on Fridays but will offer special Shabbat takeaway packages before the Jewish Sabbath. The restaurant is not the UAE’s first kosher food business — that title belongs to Elli’s Kosher Kitchen, a catering business owned by Elli Kriel, wife of the president of the Jewish Council of the Emirates, Ross Kriel.

 
 
 
United Methodist regional body supports changing logo, claims it’s unintentionally racist

A regional body of the United Methodist Church has voted to approve a petition recommending that the mainline denomination change its insignia, claiming it is racially insensitive. Delegates at the UMC North Texas Conference approved the petition last Saturday during their business session in a vote of 558 in favor and 176 against. Sponsored by the Rev. Elden Cowley, the legislative item called on the denomination to create a new insignia to replace the cross and flame logo that has existed since the 1960s. During the legislative session, which was mostly virtual in nature, one delegate inquired as to whether it would be better to wait until after next year’s general conference. At the heart of this query was the expectation many have that the UMC will approve an amicable separation proposal in 2021 to resolve their long-standing debate over LGBT issues. In response to the question sent online, Cowley said “we could” wait, but added that he would still “feel very confident with moving along with this now.”