Christians in the UK are standing up and not stepping back against discrimination because of their faith whether at school or at work, by stating loud and clear that they are ‘Not Ashamed’ to be Christian.

The campaign, organized by the Christian Concern for our Nation, calls on all Christians across the United Kingdom to stand together and wear t-shirts with the ‘Not Ashamed’ logo during Advent. The organization  has also declared Dec. 1 ‘Not Ashamed Day,’ the Independent Catholic News said.

The campaign, which was launched outside the Parliament building also focused on the plights of Christians who had experienced discrimination such as Olive Jones, Andrew McClintock, Lydia Playfoot, Shirley Chaplin, Sheila Matthews and Gary McFarlane, the Independent Catholic News reported.

The former archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey of Clifton is also writing a leaflet which will talk about Jesus Christ, and they are hoping that every household in the nation will receive the leaflet, according to the Independent Catholic News.

The founder of Christian Concern, Andrea Minichiello Williams told the Independent Catholic News, “As the Pope’s visit has highlighted, there is widespread recognition of the attempt in our society to remove Jesus Christ from public life, restricting Him to the domain of the ‘private and personal’, with disastrous effect for both individuals and our communities.

“This has meant that many Christians have felt unable to speak and live out their faith or confused and bewildered at what they are allowed to say and do in public.  This campaign is about giving the grassroots the courage to stand up and be counted and fearlessly declare that they are not ashamed of who they are or what they believe in. The Campaign encourages them to wear a highly visible Christian symbol and also, give to family, friends, neighbors and work colleagues Lord Carey’s leaflet.

“It is time for the Church to find her voice again. We are praying that this Campaign will achieve just that by igniting a flame in Christians such that they find their voice and place in public life. The Not Ashamed symbol of the cross is designed to act as a reminder of the hope that is found uniquely and supremely in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Christian Concern is also getting in contact with Christian leaders of different denominations across the UK to enlist their support of ‘Not Ashamed Day’ by wearing the logo, which is a cross within a speech bubble. It is hoped that the logo will be an impetus for others to ask what it means, the Independent Catholic News said.

According to their website, Not Ashamed provides Christians a stance to “express our confidence that Jesus Christ is good news not just for individuals or for the church, but for our nation as a whole. He is the only true hope of our society.”

Some 12 members of a young, new Christian church celebrated their first year anniversary by getting tattoos of the church’s logo.

The City Church of Anaheim, with a population of 100 members, was challenged by Pastor Kyle Steven Bonenberger, 26, to double their congregants on their birthday Sunday Service, UPI said.

Bonenberger pledged that if they reached their goal of 200, he would have the church logo, a red heart, tattooed on him and encouraged others to do the same. He said that God “tattooed your name on his heart” and they could also make an everlasting commitment to Him, the AP said.

When the 200^th person arrived, Bonenberger and some 12 others got their tats in fulfillment of their pledge. The church’s very first venue was in a living room when they were just a small group, according to the AP.

Bonenberger’s church meets every Sunday at the Chain Reaction Club, a punk rock venue. “We call ourselves the church for the people who don’t like church,” he told the UPI. “It’s the furthest thing from what people perceive church to be.”

In his blog entry dated Aug. 15, 2009, Bonenberger wrote that he had an urging to move his church to a secular space, like a night club, even though they already had a comfortable space at the Crystal Cathedral campus and he was receiving income there.

He wrote in his blog, “Some people are called to maintain, update and renovate things. For me, I am called to be an innovator. The gospel of Christ calls me to 1) GO and make disciples where Jesus is not Lord, and 2) Not to build on another man’s foundation (Romans 15:20).

When Bonenberger found the Chain Reaction Club he talked to the owner of the place about his vision, and the owner offered him the venue for free. He also got a significant donation shortly after. Crystal Cathedral was very supportive and encouraged members to visit his church, according to his blog.
Of his tattoo Bonenberger said, “I love the tattoo. I love these people. I’m stoked. They’re in my heart,” UPI reported. A church member, Holly Morales said, “City Church has really done a lot for our family, so I thought it would be a nice way to pay them back,” The Orange County Register News reported.

The City Church of Anaheim is known for being unconventional, including holding regular rock n’ roll revivals and using KFC buckets to collect the church offerings, according to The Orange County Register News.

It’s not the YMCA any more, it’s just the Y.

And from Texas to Tennessee, people have something to say about it.

New YMCA logo/ YMCA of the USA

Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association said to the Star-Telegram, “The YMCA was founded because the founder, George Williams, realized boys need Christ to become grown men. By removing Christ or Christianity from their title, they’re just taking another step away from their original mission.”

Others expressed a similar concern that the name change would imply a lessening of the Christian aspect of the organization.

James Reed, a 24-year member from Tennessee said, “Is this a way of becoming more politically correct?” Volunteer TV reported.

Molly Clark, a member of five years said, “Why would they do that? Because this organization was founded on Christianity. Its goal is to minister. The fact that they may take that name out makes me think maybe it’s becoming more secular,” Volunteer TV reported.

Since many people know the YMCA as the Y, a volunteer coach at a Texas Y is indifferent about the new name. More important to him is the foundation, the mission statement, and how the Y carries out its task to communicate with the public, Star-Telegram said.

Despite the differences of opinion about the name change, the YMCA said its name change was one way of revitalizing its image and promoting understanding of the operation’s main mission: improving the mind, spirits and bodies of young people.

To reflect the name change, the organization’s logo has morphed as well. The new logo is svelter, more modern and colorful, and it also, according to the YMCA Group, is more vibrant and expresses the diversity of the people to whom the organization caters.

New logo notwithstanding, the organization will still be legally called the YMCA and will form a part of The Heritage YMCA Group title, the Naperville Sun said.