Tomorrow, we return to Ushindi ...
Thursday 30 July 2009
Arrival
... in Entebbe and on to Kampala for a night. We had dinner with the lovely Greg and Karen of AIM at Lyn's flat and I completely melted in the heat. Good start.
Tomorrow, we return to Ushindi ...
Tomorrow, we return to Ushindi ...
Tuesday 28 July 2009
Leaving on a jet plane
I'm away to Uganda on Thursday with the father (who art in Essex). I'm not entirely clear what I'll be doing when I'm there, but if the solar panels haven't melted and we find some internet access I'll be sure to post my happenings on here.
Hello to all of you who have chosen to follow my blog, I hope I don't disappoint as we build our relationship together.
See you in Africa ...
Hello to all of you who have chosen to follow my blog, I hope I don't disappoint as we build our relationship together.
See you in Africa ...
Thursday 23 July 2009
The Secret, part 3
The third part of my secret to involving new and younger people in the church reflects back to a subject I've spoken a lot about this year, and mentioned already in my blog. It is something so important I thought it worthy of another mention.
Worthy because my so-called apathetic generation is looking not for 'nice' or sentimental religion, rather we are looking for something radical, worth living for. We've seen the results of consumerisn all too well, and the emptiness and futility of fame and fortune. We've been burned by the promotion of shallow relationships and found a pick and mix spirituality sometimes lacking. What grabs our attention? A group of people who collectively see the world as it truly is and refuses to keep quiet, a crowd who live lives which take responsibility for themselves and others, with both gentle kindness and stormy prophetic actions take up the challenge to make the world fairer for all regardless of class, ethnicity or faith. So my third point is simply this - Do Love.
And do love well, the kind of love which screams at the policy makers and rages against the structures that keep people poor and oppressed, the kind of love that puts rotas last, and people first. The kind of love personified in Jesus - outrageous earth defying love. If the church professes that God is love then we have both the mandate and the power. And we certainly have no excuse.
Worthy because my so-called apathetic generation is looking not for 'nice' or sentimental religion, rather we are looking for something radical, worth living for. We've seen the results of consumerisn all too well, and the emptiness and futility of fame and fortune. We've been burned by the promotion of shallow relationships and found a pick and mix spirituality sometimes lacking. What grabs our attention? A group of people who collectively see the world as it truly is and refuses to keep quiet, a crowd who live lives which take responsibility for themselves and others, with both gentle kindness and stormy prophetic actions take up the challenge to make the world fairer for all regardless of class, ethnicity or faith. So my third point is simply this - Do Love.
And do love well, the kind of love which screams at the policy makers and rages against the structures that keep people poor and oppressed, the kind of love that puts rotas last, and people first. The kind of love personified in Jesus - outrageous earth defying love. If the church professes that God is love then we have both the mandate and the power. And we certainly have no excuse.
Wednesday 22 July 2009
The Secret, part 2
So, my secret formula for attracting new and younger people into the church. The first of my three points (I grew up Baptist after all) was the challenge to be something that people want to be part of, an authentic community.
Here's number two: do something that people want to do. It may sound obvious but you'd be amazed at how many struggling groups and churches i talk to and ask them why they do the things they do, and the answer is simply - 'because we always have...'.
Don't get me wrong, if something is proving worthwhile and hitting its potential then, fantastic. But in my experience people are craving some refreshment and so there are some hard questions to be asked. For example; 'If you weren't already involved, would you go to the activities you organise?' and 'What would you look forward to?, also 'Why don't you invite your friends and neighbours along?'.
Just as an aside, if you want to involve people like me (which you may not want to of course) then do everything around food.
I wonder why more and more younger people from outside the church are getting involved with Christian Aid activities? Maybe one reason is because they can see that what we do is worthwhie, with funds and awareness raising benefitting some of the poorest communities around the world. But another reason could well be that many of our events (like our pub quizzes, Quiz Aid) use a format people are comfortable with and don't require that they'll have to go near a church building!
I may be time for us to take a hard look at what we do and challenge ourselves out of our comfort zones and into those belonging to the people outside the walls of the church.
Here's number two: do something that people want to do. It may sound obvious but you'd be amazed at how many struggling groups and churches i talk to and ask them why they do the things they do, and the answer is simply - 'because we always have...'.
Don't get me wrong, if something is proving worthwhile and hitting its potential then, fantastic. But in my experience people are craving some refreshment and so there are some hard questions to be asked. For example; 'If you weren't already involved, would you go to the activities you organise?' and 'What would you look forward to?, also 'Why don't you invite your friends and neighbours along?'.
Just as an aside, if you want to involve people like me (which you may not want to of course) then do everything around food.
I wonder why more and more younger people from outside the church are getting involved with Christian Aid activities? Maybe one reason is because they can see that what we do is worthwhie, with funds and awareness raising benefitting some of the poorest communities around the world. But another reason could well be that many of our events (like our pub quizzes, Quiz Aid) use a format people are comfortable with and don't require that they'll have to go near a church building!
I may be time for us to take a hard look at what we do and challenge ourselves out of our comfort zones and into those belonging to the people outside the walls of the church.
Tuesday 21 July 2009
The Secret, part 1
I have a fairly unique perspective when it comes to churches; I grew up in a Baptist Church, worked for Pentecostal and United Reformed Churches and with ecumenical, multi-denominational, inter-church networks... in short - I'm denominationally confused.
This does mean that my knowledge of church alongside the fact that I'm in my twenties and of what has been termed an 'apathetic generation' gives me an interesting vantage point. I can't remember how many times I've been told how much people would like new and younger people involved in church and in things like Christian Aid. Recently, I discovered the secret which might just tackle these and other such problems. There are three parts. Here's the first:
Be something that people want to be part of. You know what? The most important issues for new or younger people looking for a spiritual home do not include furniture, flowers - or even whether there's a drumkit. We're looking for community; authentic, loving, inclusive community who accept people because God does and not because they fit, and allows them to challenge life not demand they conform to a certain world view.
And what's more, younger people are flooding through my office door at Christian Aid at the moment and I'm sure that their reasons include this search for a community that is outward looking, accepts them with their flaws ready to help them be part of the action, and practices the love it preaches.
This does mean that my knowledge of church alongside the fact that I'm in my twenties and of what has been termed an 'apathetic generation' gives me an interesting vantage point. I can't remember how many times I've been told how much people would like new and younger people involved in church and in things like Christian Aid. Recently, I discovered the secret which might just tackle these and other such problems. There are three parts. Here's the first:
Be something that people want to be part of. You know what? The most important issues for new or younger people looking for a spiritual home do not include furniture, flowers - or even whether there's a drumkit. We're looking for community; authentic, loving, inclusive community who accept people because God does and not because they fit, and allows them to challenge life not demand they conform to a certain world view.
And what's more, younger people are flooding through my office door at Christian Aid at the moment and I'm sure that their reasons include this search for a community that is outward looking, accepts them with their flaws ready to help them be part of the action, and practices the love it preaches.
Sunday 19 July 2009
Shhh
In this day and age there still seem to be so many taboos - sex, death, money. But I'm one of those people who is unafraid to take things head on, it can get me into trouble but I can't help it! So here's one for you - HIV.
Poverty will never be history unless we fight the underlying causes of HIV. A lack of education in schools, public clinics and hospitals; the increasing need to migrate in order to find work; the desperation that drives women and girls to work; and the lack of access to lifesaving treatment all point to the same conclusion: HIV is fuelled by, and is fuelling, the vicious cycle of poverty.
HIV is a virus, not a moral issue.
The response to HIV must therefore be based on public health measures and human rights principles, and not on judgements about what we perceive to be right or wrong.
Christian Aid supports partner organisations in developing countries working to provide treatment to the people who need it. They provide support groups and education, meeting the needs of people at every level. Globally we are calling for an end to stigma afflicted on those diagnosed as HIV-positive. We are asking for the church to step up and courageously take action alongside the world's poor as well as those people in the UK and around the world living with HIV.
HIV may not be at the top of many UK churches' agendas but raising the issue helps those infected to escape their isolation, it increases education which promotes prevention, and it makes us look outward to one of the most vicious epidemics crippling the world's poorest communities.
I may be a taboo, but this world needs those people bold enough to speak out, stand up and stand alongside those who deserve it.
Poverty will never be history unless we fight the underlying causes of HIV. A lack of education in schools, public clinics and hospitals; the increasing need to migrate in order to find work; the desperation that drives women and girls to work; and the lack of access to lifesaving treatment all point to the same conclusion: HIV is fuelled by, and is fuelling, the vicious cycle of poverty.
HIV is a virus, not a moral issue.
The response to HIV must therefore be based on public health measures and human rights principles, and not on judgements about what we perceive to be right or wrong.
Christian Aid supports partner organisations in developing countries working to provide treatment to the people who need it. They provide support groups and education, meeting the needs of people at every level. Globally we are calling for an end to stigma afflicted on those diagnosed as HIV-positive. We are asking for the church to step up and courageously take action alongside the world's poor as well as those people in the UK and around the world living with HIV.
HIV may not be at the top of many UK churches' agendas but raising the issue helps those infected to escape their isolation, it increases education which promotes prevention, and it makes us look outward to one of the most vicious epidemics crippling the world's poorest communities.
I may be a taboo, but this world needs those people bold enough to speak out, stand up and stand alongside those who deserve it.
Thursday 16 July 2009
A Quote
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead
Margaret Mead
Wednesday 15 July 2009
Patience Rewarded
So, I found myself a few weeks ago asking the Archbishop Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, whether he minded if I asked him if he ever got mistaken for Dumbledore (from Harry Potter) in front of a full Exeter Cathedral. The answer, no problem but more often it's Gandalf...
It was a big youth event at the Cathedral as part of the diocese's 1100 birthday celebrations, and I can't say I was too keen at the idea of sitting on a sofa with the AB of C (yes I asked him and he said I could call him whatever I felt comfortable with) amongst a load of kids playing guitar hero, enjoying the bouncy castles and sumo wrestling and waiting for us to get out of the way so the next rock band could perform. I wondered if he might be a little... out of place.
But any nerves were quickly dispatched after this, the senior bishop of the worldwide Anglican Communion, having heard we were running behind after some youngsters wanted prayer quipped 'gosh prayer does get in the way sometimes doesn't it'. The Archbish and me? Yeah we got on.
He's a humble man, no big presence unless he is in full swing doing his bishopy thing. Totally approachable. I'm a bit smitten with him to be honest...
On stage I asked him all sorts, why he was wearing a dress, why the church spent so much money on buildings, where he stands on gay marriage, denominations and world religions, his favourite parts of his job, what keeps him up at night... we covered a lot of ground and fair play to him - he gave clear, intelligent but audience appropriate answers. I wanted to press him for more depth but I was all too aware of the bunch of kids sitting on the cold cathedral floor so I kept it light. I wanted him to give more on the questions of why someone should be a Christian, why the church is in decline and why young people aren't engaging in the faith. But that would have been my agenda, and that wouldn't have been appropriate.
My final question: 'Now that Michael Jackson has passed away, are YOU the new king of pop?'
I think David Dimbleby is safe for now.
p.s. His answer 'Probably not, but then God is full of surprises!' So, watch this space...
Saturday 11 July 2009
Spare change
Did you know that if you have any disposable income at all, you are in the top 8% of the world's richest people? I don't mention that to play down the trauma of the current financial situation but it's always nice to be given a little perspective don't you think!? Did you know that £3 could buy a month's supply of beans for a family following the disaster in Burma?
One of the most common comments I receive after I give a presentation or talk is about not having the resources to do anything about poverty. Another one is not being able to do enough to make a difference. My mum used to tell me that I had an answer for everything and I'm happy to say that it's no different in this case!
Firstly, we can all do something. Whether it is looking at our lifestyles (which can save us money by the way) and remembering that the way we live has a huge impact on people all around the world, or giving as much as we can to an organisation like Christian Aid who then transform pounds into sustainable solutions for the world's poor, or we can take part in a campaign to challenge the rules and structures that mean that the world favours some and not others... we can all do something.
And as to whether is makes a difference, absolutely. I've seen it. I've seen £5.25 loaned to a family to buy their first set of cloth and dye and start a business which is now independent, and that loan has been paid back. I've seen £10 worth of trees producing fruit preventing soil erosion in Senegal. A little does go a long way...
One of the most common comments I receive after I give a presentation or talk is about not having the resources to do anything about poverty. Another one is not being able to do enough to make a difference. My mum used to tell me that I had an answer for everything and I'm happy to say that it's no different in this case!
Firstly, we can all do something. Whether it is looking at our lifestyles (which can save us money by the way) and remembering that the way we live has a huge impact on people all around the world, or giving as much as we can to an organisation like Christian Aid who then transform pounds into sustainable solutions for the world's poor, or we can take part in a campaign to challenge the rules and structures that mean that the world favours some and not others... we can all do something.
And as to whether is makes a difference, absolutely. I've seen it. I've seen £5.25 loaned to a family to buy their first set of cloth and dye and start a business which is now independent, and that loan has been paid back. I've seen £10 worth of trees producing fruit preventing soil erosion in Senegal. A little does go a long way...
Wednesday 8 July 2009
A Quote
"It is now more dangerous to be a woman than to be a soldier in modern conflict."
Maj. Gen. Patrick Cammaert, 2008, former UN Peacekeeping Operation Commander in DR Congo
Maj. Gen. Patrick Cammaert, 2008, former UN Peacekeeping Operation Commander in DR Congo
Tuesday 7 July 2009
Friday 3 July 2009
Tricky business
Do politics and faith mix? Faith based organisations like Christian Aid come in for a lot of stick for our campaigning and political work. We have the ear of the government on issues like Climate Change and International Trade Rules. But shouldn't we just stick to raising money, and maybe a bit of prayer?
The God I believe in has a heart for the poor that hasn't changed. The Christianity I subsribe to teaches that no one is disposable to God. Christian Aid's gospel driven work is led by the belief that everyone deserves a future, refusing to be compromised by the world's complacency about poverty. Everything Christian Aid does come back to the responsibility laid by God at our feet, and the mandate to care for the vulnerable and speak up for the silenced.
Just as Jesus ministered outside accepted social barriers, healing people regardless of their beleifs - we are unafraid to get involved in complicated places. And while responding to people in need is vital, we believe that God does not want the world to be this way, so we campaign to change the underlying structures that make and keep people poor. It means challenging the people who have the power to change things, not trying to hide anger when the poor are exploited and pushing forward the values of justice, peace and love to change the world's values.
Becoming involved in politics helped people like William Wilberforce bring an end to slavery 200 years ago. It enabled campaigners to persuade rich governments to cancel the criplling debt if some of the world's poorest countries in the run up to the millennium. And so it is exactly because we are people of faith that we must continue to speak out.
The God I believe in has a heart for the poor that hasn't changed. The Christianity I subsribe to teaches that no one is disposable to God. Christian Aid's gospel driven work is led by the belief that everyone deserves a future, refusing to be compromised by the world's complacency about poverty. Everything Christian Aid does come back to the responsibility laid by God at our feet, and the mandate to care for the vulnerable and speak up for the silenced.
Just as Jesus ministered outside accepted social barriers, healing people regardless of their beleifs - we are unafraid to get involved in complicated places. And while responding to people in need is vital, we believe that God does not want the world to be this way, so we campaign to change the underlying structures that make and keep people poor. It means challenging the people who have the power to change things, not trying to hide anger when the poor are exploited and pushing forward the values of justice, peace and love to change the world's values.
Becoming involved in politics helped people like William Wilberforce bring an end to slavery 200 years ago. It enabled campaigners to persuade rich governments to cancel the criplling debt if some of the world's poorest countries in the run up to the millennium. And so it is exactly because we are people of faith that we must continue to speak out.
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