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/.

The Coming of the Son of Man

The season of Advent is a time of prayerful waiting and preparation for Christians to prepare them for the coming of their Saviour Jesus. Much of that spiritual preparation is a re-imagining of the birth of Jesus and an re-enacting of the stories of that birth recorded in by the Gospel writers Matthew and Luke. But there is another dimension to the traditional teaching of the church down through the centuries in this season of Advent, and that is the waiting for the second coming of the Son of Man at the end of time. The Nicene Creed, formulated in 325 CE and still regarded as a definitive expression of Christian faith today, states the belief succinctly: 'He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.'

In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, there are freguent references to the coming of the Son of Man. For example, at his trial before the Sanhedrin, Jesus tells the high priest: 'From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven' (Matthew 26.64); and the memorable parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25.31-46 begins with a similar description: 'When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.'

So what are Christians to make of this language and these ideas today? Does this belief in a second coming enhance faith in a meaningful way today, or is it a rather an embarassing piece of theological debris, floating around like some of the obsolete satellites that continue to orbit our planet? Here are some guidelines:

There is no doubt that these references to the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven go back to Jesus himself. It is likely that Jesus interpreted his own messianic ministry and the vindication that God would give to it in the language of Daniel 7.13: 'Then I saw one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominon and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.' This is how Jesus understood his role and it is helpful for us today to engage with that.

The language is part of the religious imagining of the Judaism of Jesus' time. It expresses a confidence to know what heaven is like, and what is to happen at the end of time. Such language still works on the religious imagination. Just as William Blake's iconic painting of The Ancient of Days makes an extraordinary impact on the eye, so also these evocative words of scripture conjure up images and ideas at sub-conscious levels that can be conducive to strengthening faith. It is a mistake to interpret such language literally, popular though such efforts may be in using these passages from scripture to write about the final consummation. There is a greater integrity to allowing the language to work symbolically.

For the truth that this belief in the coming of the Son of Man is this: that in Jesus there is such truth about God that that truth is not only contained within time, but it supercedes and is beyond time. Love, sacrifice, beauty, and wisdom lie at the heart of meaning. There is no escaping our accountability before such truth. So let us ponder on these words of scripture and see in them the hope and victory of God.

World Aids Day

Today is World Aids Day. In its 2009 report on the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations Report sets out the statistics based on 2007 figures received. This demonstrates why HIV/Aids is such a major concern in our world, blighting the well-being of millions. The UN estimates that 33 million people in the world are HIV positive. Each year there are 2.7 million newly infected with HIV. There are 2 million deaths from Aids a year. There are an estimated 15 million children worldwide who have lost one or both parents to Aids. Of these 12 million live in sub-Saharan Africa which is home to 67% of those living with HIV. The UN, noting that these figures, high as they are, are nevertheless indicative that the pandemic has peaked, points to the importance of education about HIV/Aids among 15-24 year olds. The report notes that in sub-Saharan Africa only 31% of young men and 19% of young women have a thorough and accurate understanding of how the disease is contracted. This falls well short of the 95% figure that the UN had hoped to have been achieved by 2010. The Christian response to those with HIV/Aids needs to be one of engaged, intentional compassion. Just as Jesus stretched out his hand and offered God's healing to lepers, so Christians are called to be involved in combating the ravaging impact of HIV which affects the lives of so many in so many harrowing ways. One practical way in which St Peter's and other churches in Leicestershire can get involved is in supporting an orphanage for 51 boys and girls in Karur, in our link diocese of Trichy, South India. The orphanage needs just over £9,000 per annum: that works out at £15 per child per month. May God grant us a spirit of generosity and compassion to align our love for Christ with those affected by HIV/Aids. May we pray too for all doctors, nurses, scientists, and teachers involved in the treatment, education, and eradication of HIV.