Just a note of thanks to loyal readers who have contacted me and made sure I am alright! After a disappointing election in the UK, a brutal first Tory budget and watching the continued attacks on the left in Greece, I must admit, it's hard to be optimistic about the state of the world.
So I've taken a bit of time off from blogging while I concentrate on family and my local church. Refugee work is continually important and takes time and energy, leaving little space for creative blogging. I have a retreat in Taize coming up next week, but I hope that gives rise to a gentle summer of rest and restoration.
I'll need it, September will not only see the return of the students, but the continued struggle against the world's biggest arms fair down in London - I do hope you can join me in some of the activities planned by 'Stop the Arms Fair' and the SPEAK network.
So I hope you are taking some time out with friends and family. Look after yourself, so that we can be renewed in the struggle for a better world. Many blessings my friends.
Tuesday, 21 July 2015
Wednesday, 29 April 2015
The Liberation Theology Gathering
Well, the third 'Victor Jara Liberation Library' is over, and what a treat it was! 25 delegates from across the UK gathered to share ideas and actions relating to a liberative theology.
A bit of social justice singing and worship from both the Iona and Taize communities was followed by a Bible study shared in a participative framework.
Then I presented a short piece on the issues facing Liberation Theology today (Inequalities of power and wealth, Climate Change, discrimination, war, attacks on the poor, poverty of education) before we spent a bit of time sharing our own contexts, and the groups of folk who had encouraged and enabled us.
We had an update from two members who had visited Kabul earlier in the year to meet with a Peace community in the thick of the harsh life in Afghanistan
One of the folk then shared about the work of SPEAK and the upcoming proposed direct action against the weapons fair down in London in September
at lunchtime, some of us went and lobbied the local Parliamentary candidates over the NHS as part of the 38' campaign.- there should always be a bit of 'action' a part of these conferences!
Sue Richardson then did a great bible study in a Liberation Theology format, emphasising our own experiences that we bring to the story from scripture.
We ended with Dr David Golding giving his take on why Liberationists need to take climate change seriously. Then we wound around a 'Labyrinth of Liberation' before preparing for the Ceilidh!
The Ceilidh against the Cuts was the most inspired bit of the conference. Many of the sanctuary seekers I work with were invited, so seeing Eritreans, Iraqis, Syrians, Iranians etc. getting to grips with the niceties of Scottish dancing was something to behold. It was a surprisingly moving event - and so much fun.
Strangely enough, 'Liberation Theology' needs to be 'liberating' - that means that as well as good theology, it should be fun and involve good dancing. I recall a great quote that says something like 'Its not my revolution if I can't dance to it!'
A bit of social justice singing and worship from both the Iona and Taize communities was followed by a Bible study shared in a participative framework.
Then I presented a short piece on the issues facing Liberation Theology today (Inequalities of power and wealth, Climate Change, discrimination, war, attacks on the poor, poverty of education) before we spent a bit of time sharing our own contexts, and the groups of folk who had encouraged and enabled us.
We had an update from two members who had visited Kabul earlier in the year to meet with a Peace community in the thick of the harsh life in Afghanistan
One of the folk then shared about the work of SPEAK and the upcoming proposed direct action against the weapons fair down in London in September
at lunchtime, some of us went and lobbied the local Parliamentary candidates over the NHS as part of the 38' campaign.- there should always be a bit of 'action' a part of these conferences!
Sue Richardson then did a great bible study in a Liberation Theology format, emphasising our own experiences that we bring to the story from scripture.
We ended with Dr David Golding giving his take on why Liberationists need to take climate change seriously. Then we wound around a 'Labyrinth of Liberation' before preparing for the Ceilidh!
The Ceilidh against the Cuts was the most inspired bit of the conference. Many of the sanctuary seekers I work with were invited, so seeing Eritreans, Iraqis, Syrians, Iranians etc. getting to grips with the niceties of Scottish dancing was something to behold. It was a surprisingly moving event - and so much fun.
Strangely enough, 'Liberation Theology' needs to be 'liberating' - that means that as well as good theology, it should be fun and involve good dancing. I recall a great quote that says something like 'Its not my revolution if I can't dance to it!'
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Caroline Lucas set to become PM in secret deal
A secret deal to make Caroline Lucas Prime Minister in event
of hung parliament is a logical and welcome breakthrough for British politics.
Rumours of secret talks between SNP and Labour have been
denied by both parties, but investigative reporting by the Morning Star has
revealed that plans are well under way to forge a SNP/Labour/Green/Plaid Cymru
coalition in the event of a hung parliament on May 7th.
The mutual loathing between Ed Miliband and SNP leader
Nicola Sturgeon has been a log jam in talks by senior officials, but the secret
deal that has been hammered out is seen as the only workable solution. In the
event of a hung parliament, Green MP Caroline Lucas is to be announced as Prime
Minister. She is seen as the only MP to command enough respect among both SNP
and Labour party members of parliament.
This ground breaking decision will cement a Labour/SNP/Plaid
Cymru/Green coalition that may be on the only way to shut out another
Conservative/Lib Dem coalition.
The Green party are also denying that these talks have taken
place, but will be delighted that Mrs Lucas could play such a role in a future
government.
‘Caroline has worked so hard to gain such support, not only
during 5 years in in the House of Commons, but also whilst serving the country as a Member of the European Parliament’ a senior
Labour politician admitted yesterday. ‘She has spent years building credible
coalitions across Westminster, and is seen as the only person who could hold a
Labour/Nationalist/Green coalition together’.
A poll of Labour MP’s shows that if they cannot achieve an outright
victory in the general election, Ed Miliband will not have enough support to
continue as prime minister of a coalition government. He is likely to accept
the role as deputy prime minister with Nicola Sturgeon becoming the Minister
for Scotland. The costly Trident Nuclear programme will almost certainly be the
first casualty of such a coalition.
Jim Murphy is said to be furious at news of the deal, having
been left out of the loop by senior Labour Party officials. He is said to be
considering crossing the floor and joining the Conservative Party if such a
deal takes place after 7th May. ‘Good riddance’ claimed outspoken Labour
MEP Lora Ploif, ‘He’s been stinking up the place with his Blairite politics since
becoming leader in December, haemorrhaging working class support for the Scottish
Labour Party.’
All this is great news for the British Left/Green community.
Let’s all hope for a breath of fresh air in the British Political System this
May!
Clarkson to front UKIP Party Political Broadcast
In a major coup for Nigel Farage, Jeremy Clarkson is set to
be the new face of UKIP in their first Party Political Broadcast to be aired today. All of the parties have be keen to show their celebrity support, with
Labour using Martin Freeman and Broadchurch star David Tennant in their first Broadcast
on Thursday. The Tory Party have garnered support from big names such as Phil
Collins and Pippa Middleton and are set to even use Ant and Dec in a comedy
skit representing Cameron and Clegg.
The use of Clarkson is set to be a big boost for UKIP, after
1 million people signed an online petition to have him reinstated as a
presenter on popular BBC show ‘Top Gear’
Jeremy
Clarkson was dropped by the BBC earlier this month following a
"fracas" with a Top Gear producer.
‘UKIP is the only party to represent decent
ordinary British people’ said Clarkson, who will appear with Farage in the
broadcast, chatting over a pint in a traditional British Pub. ‘I used to
support the Tories, but they have allowed the country to be overrun by
Bulgarians. They also allow the BBC to be run by a bunch of pansies. UKIP is
the only party with a decent track record of defending our national interests’
At
the request of Clarkson, the broadcast is to be aired today at 12 noon on all
digital channels with the exception of the BBC. He made the deal to exclude the
BBC a condition of appearing in UKIP’s publicity, reportedly saying ‘That’ll
teach the bastards’
There
is no news yet as to whether fellow presenters James May and Richard Hammond
will also appear on the broadcast.
Monday, 30 March 2015
Labyrinth of our Times
Yesterday we installed the 'Labyrinth of our Times' in Sunderland Minster, and I really must commend it to you if you are able to visit during Holy Week.
Labyrinths are nothing new in Churches, the most famous being at Chartres Cathedral and the most recent being installed in the refit of Wakefield Cathedral. They are ways of encouraging a prayerful journeying inward and outward, and often have a surprising impact on participants (Iranian Christians visiting the Labyrinth last night were moved to tears at their first ever encounter with such a thing)
This Labyrinth is something both old and new though - as we are building it up out of donations to foodbanks, which we will pass on at the end of the week. The intention is to move the Labyrinth from simply a place for personal reflection to one with a more overtly political dimension. Of course our prayers are at one level internal and individual, but faith encourages an essentially social spiritual life.
The daily prayer Jesus gave us is completely communal: 'Give US this day OUR daily bread', and yet 20th Century Western forms of Christianity became increasingly influenced by the individuality encouraged by modern day capitalism.
The result of the rampant belief in individualism and free market capitalism has been the fragmentation of our spiritual lives and of our society. The economic crash in 2008 caused by the banking industry ended up with the state handing out billions of pounds to the very group in society that caused the disaster. At the same time governments were increasingly scapegoating those who were forced to live on welfare. Since the banking crisis, almost incredibly, the rich have engorged themselves and have been able to increase their personal fortunes. Their allies in the state have actually enabled rich individuals and large companies to get away with large scale tax avoidance whist public services have been dramatically cut.
At the same time, increasing numbers of people have been forced to go to foodbanks to feed themselves and their families. This has been exacerbated by the Government's use of punitive benefits 'sanctions' which penalise the most vulnerable in society.
The 'Labyrinth of our Times' encourages us to respond to this situation. As we enter it, we are asked to prayerfully work out our own response to a world of increasing inequality. As we emerge from it - we are challenged to lead lives of faith that resist poverty and challenge the inequalities inherent within Capitalism.
Labyrinths are nothing new in Churches, the most famous being at Chartres Cathedral and the most recent being installed in the refit of Wakefield Cathedral. They are ways of encouraging a prayerful journeying inward and outward, and often have a surprising impact on participants (Iranian Christians visiting the Labyrinth last night were moved to tears at their first ever encounter with such a thing)
This Labyrinth is something both old and new though - as we are building it up out of donations to foodbanks, which we will pass on at the end of the week. The intention is to move the Labyrinth from simply a place for personal reflection to one with a more overtly political dimension. Of course our prayers are at one level internal and individual, but faith encourages an essentially social spiritual life.
The daily prayer Jesus gave us is completely communal: 'Give US this day OUR daily bread', and yet 20th Century Western forms of Christianity became increasingly influenced by the individuality encouraged by modern day capitalism.
The result of the rampant belief in individualism and free market capitalism has been the fragmentation of our spiritual lives and of our society. The economic crash in 2008 caused by the banking industry ended up with the state handing out billions of pounds to the very group in society that caused the disaster. At the same time governments were increasingly scapegoating those who were forced to live on welfare. Since the banking crisis, almost incredibly, the rich have engorged themselves and have been able to increase their personal fortunes. Their allies in the state have actually enabled rich individuals and large companies to get away with large scale tax avoidance whist public services have been dramatically cut.
At the same time, increasing numbers of people have been forced to go to foodbanks to feed themselves and their families. This has been exacerbated by the Government's use of punitive benefits 'sanctions' which penalise the most vulnerable in society.
The 'Labyrinth of our Times' encourages us to respond to this situation. As we enter it, we are asked to prayerfully work out our own response to a world of increasing inequality. As we emerge from it - we are challenged to lead lives of faith that resist poverty and challenge the inequalities inherent within Capitalism.
Saturday, 21 March 2015
Liberating Theologies Conference; 25th April, Sunderland Minster
If you have a hope that people of faith can be a force for good in the world, and can challenge the duel problems of capitalism and discrimination - then the 'Liberating Theologies conference' in Sunderland, Saturday 25th of April is the place to be.
This is the third conference hosted by the 'Victor Jara Liberation Theology Library', a library that shares the depth of practical theology from around the world that challenges unjust inequalities and structures. The library hold books on Black, Feminist, Gay, Eco theology as well as thousands of books from Africa and Latin American contexts.
The conference is small and beautiful with workshops from acclaimed Black Theologian Anthony Reddie, Sue Richardson (of Christian Aid) and Chris Howson (that's me! Author of 'A Just Church, 21st Century Liberation Theology in Action')
We are trying to give a space for those interested in a radical faith to share ideas and enjoy solidarity. And we want you to join us! Its free (but donations are welcome!)
On the Friday night we'll be showing several films about liberation theology (White Elephant & Romero) held in the impressive University of Sunderland David Puttnam Cinema - and people are welcome to stay over before workshops begin from 10am in Sunderland Minster, mostly in the famous Sunderland Minster Yurt!
Do contact me chaplain@sunderland.ac.uk or find us on facebook if you want more information
This is the third conference hosted by the 'Victor Jara Liberation Theology Library', a library that shares the depth of practical theology from around the world that challenges unjust inequalities and structures. The library hold books on Black, Feminist, Gay, Eco theology as well as thousands of books from Africa and Latin American contexts.
The conference is small and beautiful with workshops from acclaimed Black Theologian Anthony Reddie, Sue Richardson (of Christian Aid) and Chris Howson (that's me! Author of 'A Just Church, 21st Century Liberation Theology in Action')
We are trying to give a space for those interested in a radical faith to share ideas and enjoy solidarity. And we want you to join us! Its free (but donations are welcome!)
On the Friday night we'll be showing several films about liberation theology (White Elephant & Romero) held in the impressive University of Sunderland David Puttnam Cinema - and people are welcome to stay over before workshops begin from 10am in Sunderland Minster, mostly in the famous Sunderland Minster Yurt!
Do contact me chaplain@sunderland.ac.uk or find us on facebook if you want more information
4 years on, have the lights gone out in Syria?
This week marked the 4th anniversary of the beginning of the bitter conflict in Syria. The situation, already one of worse in Middle Eastern history, has horrifically deteriorated in the last year. 12 months have seen over 70,000 people killed, the highest death rate in the world, and the highest death toll since the start of the conflict. With over 100,000 injured and millions displaced it is hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel.
On the eve of the anniversary, a coalition of human rights groups posted an image of the country taken by satellite. It shows that 83% of the lights in Syria have gone out since 2011. That means no schools, no hospitals, none of the basic needed to survive in most of the nation.
As in all wars, it is the civilians now who carry the cost of conflict, with the vast majority of those killed being unarmed people just trying to survive.
The press might have you believe that the horror is all the result of the so called 'Islamic State', but the reality is that Assad's regime is mostly responsible - dropping barrel bombs and
high impact munitions on heavily populated towns and cities. IS certainly has the brutality, but the state still has mass of weaponry used to crush its opposition.
So have the lights on gone out on this once proud nation, which boasts the oldest city in the world, Damascus?
I was privileged on Wednesday to host a meal in my home for two Syrian Sanctuary seekers. Both have tough tales to tell, one a great writer. They both articulated that the main issue facing Syria is Assad. They believed he has fuelled IS because while the opposition fight among themselves, they pose no real threat to his regime. My guest argued that many fight with IS not because of Islamic Ideology but because Assad has killed their families and destroyed their homes. When Assad is gone, my guests were convinced that Syria could return to some kind of normality and IS would be quickly dismembered.
The articulate and strong reasoning of these two men gave me some kind of hope. One day Assad will be gone, and these intelligent and skilled Syrians will return with millions of others to rebuild their homeland. There will be lights and parties and poetry back in Syria one day. Until that time comes, we need to stand with the Syrian people and never let the light of hope fade away.
On the eve of the anniversary, a coalition of human rights groups posted an image of the country taken by satellite. It shows that 83% of the lights in Syria have gone out since 2011. That means no schools, no hospitals, none of the basic needed to survive in most of the nation.
As in all wars, it is the civilians now who carry the cost of conflict, with the vast majority of those killed being unarmed people just trying to survive.
The press might have you believe that the horror is all the result of the so called 'Islamic State', but the reality is that Assad's regime is mostly responsible - dropping barrel bombs and
high impact munitions on heavily populated towns and cities. IS certainly has the brutality, but the state still has mass of weaponry used to crush its opposition.
So have the lights on gone out on this once proud nation, which boasts the oldest city in the world, Damascus?
I was privileged on Wednesday to host a meal in my home for two Syrian Sanctuary seekers. Both have tough tales to tell, one a great writer. They both articulated that the main issue facing Syria is Assad. They believed he has fuelled IS because while the opposition fight among themselves, they pose no real threat to his regime. My guest argued that many fight with IS not because of Islamic Ideology but because Assad has killed their families and destroyed their homes. When Assad is gone, my guests were convinced that Syria could return to some kind of normality and IS would be quickly dismembered.
The articulate and strong reasoning of these two men gave me some kind of hope. One day Assad will be gone, and these intelligent and skilled Syrians will return with millions of others to rebuild their homeland. There will be lights and parties and poetry back in Syria one day. Until that time comes, we need to stand with the Syrian people and never let the light of hope fade away.
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