Awareness Sunday & the Arab Spring

As I made my way to Westminster Abbey the evening of Sunday the 11^th of September 2011, for a service to mark the 10^th anniversary of 9/11, a sudden sinking in the pit of my stomach began.

My journey in working to build understanding, friendship and love between faith communities began before the 11th of September 2001, but the events of that day meant that the course I had embarked upon gained a particular poignancy. Because of the events of 9/11 the experiences of my own life were brought into significance – my seemingly obscure skills were suddenly, and tragically, in demand.

I had a ticket for a special seat toward the front of the abbey, and as I sat there I started to recognise friends and colleagues. First I spotted Bishop Angaelos – bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Christian community in England – sitting on the front row. I dared to cross the invisible lines of who goes where to speak to this kind and gentle soul who always speaks so graciously to everyone he meets, always remembers names, and works diligently to cross the lines of conflict and difference to make friends.

Then I spotted a good friend, Syed Yusuf al-Khoei – an Iraqi Shi’a Muslim leader, who heads up an international organisation working to build peace not only in Iraq, but across the Middle East and the world. He stood up recently in Lambeth Palace to speak of the importance of protecting the Christian community in Iraq who are under such threat, and of their great value to the building up of Iraq. He was sitting in the front row with a whole group of eminent ayatollahs from Iraq and from Lebanon, one of whom, Seyed Musawwi, I had invited to Brighton to speak at the outbreak of the US invasion of Iraq.

The Rev’d Nadim Nassar, an Anglican priest from Syria, gave the address – speaking of how it was not religions or people of faith who were responsible for the events of 9/11, nor were they responsible for all the acts of war and violence that have taken place since. But rather it is people of faith who have worked so hard to build understanding and love between peoples, a work enjoined on them by God through their various faith traditions. We heard stories of love and sacrifice that took place on that day. And we heard messages of hope and courage for the future, the courage it takes to go on loving, loving recklessly, loving audaciously, loving with all one’s being.

At the door when I was going out was a Jewish rabbi from New York living in London, who I met only recently at a Muslim gathering in the House of Lords. All these people have worked hard all their lives to build Love between peoples of all faith and none, peoples of every nation. And here they were in Westminster Abbey, Anglican and Orthodox priests, ayatullahs and imams and rabbis, all standing together to shake the hands of those who had attended - all 2,000+.

Today, I had lunch with a friend I first met in Cairo. He works across the globe, especially with young people, building faith, building understanding, building friendship. He told me of how during the protests in Tahrir Square the Christians would guard the Muslims while they prayed, and the Muslims guarded the Christians. Of how the Anglican cathedral in Cairo held prayers for people of all faiths together, asking for God’s blessing in the upcoming elections - that Muslims were coming to the cathedral to pray alongside Christians for the future of their country.

We spoke of one question – what is God saying in all this? What is he telling us? Out of the dust of acts of violence motivated by ignorance, fear and suspicion emerge a courageous determination that these motivations be not the last voice; that the lasting voice be the voice of God’s Love for us all.

Bonnie Evans-Hills

The Mean Streets of Oadby

Like just about everyone else in the UK, I watched with growing shock and lack of comprehension the violence taking place in our streets this past week. I have grown up with protest. A child in sixties’ America, I watched the Civil Rights marches and then the anti-Vietnam War protests. And yes there were riots, and businesses and homes were destroyed in growing frustration. Looting did take place. I remember when the National Guard were called in to quell a demonstration at Kent State University, when students, students protesting peacefully, were shot – dead. A cover of Newsweek magazine showed a young woman covered in the blood of her friend who had been shot, lying dead on her lap. That picture couldn’t be shown today – considered too distasteful.

Were these the ‘good ole days’ of my summer childhood? A childhood also full of playing in streets that were safe, wandering neighbourhoods and bits of scrubland in a make-believe daze, my belly full with home-grown veggies, and walking barefoot out of choice. All while the streets of Chicago burned and other children with black skin burned in churches in the Deep South.

As I watch this unrest, I can’t help thinking all of us are culpable. There can be no excuse for burning decent people out, the neighbours of those disaffected, burning them out of their homes and livelihoods. But when we turn anyone into an ‘other’, when we say ‘we’ are different, ‘they’ are animals, when we dehumanise people, when we separate ‘them’ from ‘us’, we take away any responsibility any of us have towards one another. Is it possible ‘they’ have already felt themselves isolated from ‘us’, so isolated they feel glee at taking away what little ‘we’ have. ‘We’ are made like ‘them’ – disaffected, a product of our own construction.

There is so much in the media about ‘yob culture’, ‘ASBO’s’, ‘teenage pregnancies’ and ’binge-drinking’ - young people made into outcasts, set on the sideline, outside of ‘decent’ society. And yet our culture has defined status by possessions, by celebrity, rather than by goodness. We are reaping the fruit of our own sowing.

For all the 300 or so who were out looting on the streets of Leicester Tuesday night – there were thousands who weren’t, thousands who stayed at home rather than get caught up in what was a frightening scene, thousands who might have gone out any other night – didn’t. And thousands who took their brooms and swept the streets clean the next day, who offered brews, food and shelter to the police and to their neighbours.

The coming months we have much to discern – to look at the effect of our cause, and make changes that ensure ‘status’ is not based on how much wealth people have, but rather each and every person is seen as a child of God, and loved.

Petertide

I never really used to like the character of Peter. He always seemed to be making trouble for the women - even making his mother-in-law get up and do the housekeeping and serve the guests just after Jesus had healed her. And what guests there were - the roof of her house even being taken apart to lower down someone on a stretcher into the main room.

And then with Michael, I worked on some reflections about Peter for our patronal festival, imagining something of what must have gone through his mind at various points. And suddenly I realised - of course Peter was the rock upon which the Church must be founded! He was flawed, but he was passionate. He would fly off the handle, lose his temper, and then weep bitterly in repentance. He was afraid at times, afraid even to have his feet washed, and affronted - then begged that his whole body be bathed. He was everything all of us are - but he was also 'big' enough, to admit his mistakes, to carry on following Jesus even when he called him a devil for denying the way of the Cross. He carried on. It takes guts to face your own mistakes, admit to them and keep on trying.

What better example could we have for the Church? I used to think it should have been John, the beloved John. Or Mary, Mary who followed him to the Cross, never thinking of her own safety. But these are so difficult to live up to. We all have to face our fears, face our sins - and this is what Peter did. He faced his humiliation, his denial of his beloved Jesus, and with even more bravery accepted the forgiveness and love offered by the Jesus he denied.

Bonnie Evans-Hills

'Discovering Through Death: Beliefs and Practices'

Several weeks ago I was told by one of the members of our Oadby mosque to watch for an invitation from the Muslim Burial Council of Leicestershire for a book launch. So last Friday evening I had no idea when I turned up at the Parklands Leisure Centre what kind of event it was going to be, or what the book was about. The room was set out with lovely tables all arranged for what looked to be a gala event. Fruit juices were offered in glittering wine glasses and a huge stack of books were being handed out.

Leaders from different faith communities were in attendance and invited to speak, from the Hindu community, Buddhist, Jewish and Christian communities, as well as the Muslim community. Rev'd David Clark, former rector of this parish, was there as the Christian contributor to the book. The key note speaker was His Honour Howard Morrison, from the Hague - currently hearing the case against Radovan Karadzic, who also wrote the introduction to the book. He and the author, Suleman Nagdi, have know one another for a number of years.

So what is so special about this book that it warranted such a gala launch here in our own Oadby? It looks into all kinds of question about 'Beliefs and Practices' surrounding death, at the traditions of the various religious communities living here in Leicestershire. It also asks questions such as what is a post mortem or autopsy, and what happens during one? How do you register a death? What are the issues surrounding transplants and organ donation? These are the kinds of questions that when death strikes, can be so confusing and difficult to deal with. But even more importantly, this book also examines some of the variety of ways in which we all cope with death, whether it is tragic or loss or blessed relief; the human need for something holy, something sacred to be at the centre - even from the perspective of the Humanist. So I am really looking forward to sitting down and reading it!

The Muslim Burial Council also saw to one of our other human needs - and provided a fabulous meal.

to find out more: http://www.pukaarnews.com/Pages/Rv306Beliefsandpractices.html

Oh, and there is a copy of the book in the parish office if you'd like to have a look at it for yourself.

or order from: admin@mbcol.org.uk

Bonnie Evans-Hills

Launde Abbey Reopening

Launde Abbey is one of the glories of the Diocese of Leicester. Situated in the beautiful countryside of South East Leicestershire, and with a history stretching back into the Middle Ages when Launde was one of the great Augustinian monasteries in England, Launde continues to offer all those who cross its threshold, the possibility of rest, retreat and renewal.

On Bank Holiday Monday May 30th 2011, Launde was officially reopened after an extensive £2.6 million refurbishment. Pilgrims from Leicester and Peterborough came to celebrate and give thanks to God for the completion of the work. Many have given generously to ensure that Launde can move into the 21st century and offer some of the finest facilities that can be found in any Retreat Centre in England. Archbishop Rowan - himself a frequent visitor to Launde in the early 1980s - prays that 'this very precious place will continue to serve God's people for many years ahead in preserving a space for silence and truthfulness and deep encounter with God.'

Despite heavy rain, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm and joy of the thousands of people who came to Launde. Those who viewed the new dining facilities and the fine ensuite bedrooms in the main house were full of praise for the renovation. Many lingered to say a prayer in the ancient chapel, while outside in the extensive grounds, stalls were visited and workshops attended. The celebrations culminated in a wonderful service of thanksgiving and blessing in a marquee packed to overflowing. Led by Bishop Tim of Leicester and Bishop Donald of Peterborough, and attended by Bishop Paul Vasanthakumar of the Diocese of Trichy Tanjore, South India, the worship explored the deep things of pilgrimage: water - symbolic of new beginnings; incense - representing the life of prayer; bread which was shared demonstrating Launde's calling to care for bodies as well as souls; silence - that perfect gift from God to be re-discovered, cherished and sustained particularly in those places of transcendent holiness like Launde; the oil of wholeness - a visible sign of that hidden work of God's healing that takes place in hearts and lives and nations.

The vibrant worship captured the joy of celebrating a remarkable, God-given, event: in contrast to Launde, many retreat houses in England have closed due to financial contraints in recent years. Flags, incense, and a magnificent Taize Cross transformed the marquee into a church. Most moving of all was the music, led by the remarkable John Bell of Iona whose hymn 'Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?' was sung with a poignancy that demonstrated that words of faith can still be found that articulate our deepest spiritual yearnings. The haunting intercessory refrain 'Come bring your burdens to God, for Jesus will never say no' in its stunning simplicity was a thing of beauty.

All those from St Peter's and St Paul's summed up the day as a 'grand day out'. To view pictures of the day, visit http://www.leicester.anglican.org/. It is well worth considering visiting or taking a retreat at Launde. To find out how to , go to http://www.launde.org.uk/.