There’s no escaping religion it seems. In London, humanists – with the help of finance from Richard Dawkins – have been putting reassuring posters on the side of buses: ‘There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.’1 Who’s keeping God on the public agenda now?
In Kabul, however, religious faith is seen in much more serious terms. The murder of Christian charity worker Gayle Williams puts ‘enjoy your life’ into a different perspective.
According to Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, she had been executed ‘because she was working for an organisation which was preaching Christianity in Afghanistan’. Her mother said that, ‘Gayle was serving a people that she loved, and felt God called her to be there for such a time as this.’2
Sadly, bravery is not always valued highly by everyone. In South Wales plaques from a war memorial have been stolen for the scrap value of the metal.3 For this year’s Remembrance Day event a mounted and framed image of the former plaques will substitute.
This week’s readings are clear on one thing at least. Faith in God is no crutch – obedience demands great courage. Yet however bad things may seem, we’re never really alone. Remembering what God has done in the past is vital.
Emlyn Williams
1 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/3229106/Prof-Richard-Dawkins-drives-support-for-Londons-first-atheist-bus-advert.html
2 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/killed-for-being-christian-967668.html
3 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7688300.stm
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Invitation to a World Premiere at St Paul's Cathedral for Save the Children
You are warmly invited to the premiere of The Cry: A Requiem for the Lost Child which will take place in St Paul's Cathedral at 6pm on Sunday 16 November 2008 in aid of Save the Children.
Composed by Adrian Snell and directed by David Drummond, The Cry is a spectacular and moving musical production that remembers children who've lost their lives or childhood because of warfare, armed conflict or ethnic cleansing. The lead vocalists are Niamh Perry (BBC1's I'd Do Anything) and opera star Mark Stone. They'll be joined by violinist Jeanine Thorpe (BBC2's Classical Star and Maestro), Adrian Snell, the London Oriana Choir, the London Oratory School Schola, keyboard player Dave Bainbridge (Iona) and a host of other talented singers and musicians. The performance will be introduced by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.
The Cry features a rap specially recorded for the premiere by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who says 'I'm delighted to be involved as a rapper for the premiere of The Cry, which gives these often forgotten victims of wars a voice that will lift the roof off St Paul's Cathedral!'
Admission is free, but by ticket only. Tickets can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope, stating how many you require, to:
The Cry, The Chapter House, St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
Further information can be found at www.stpauls.co.uk under 'Concerts & Events' or on Facebook (search under 'The Cry: A Requiem for the Lost Child').
This was passed to the WordLive team and we thought we should share with you all.
Composed by Adrian Snell and directed by David Drummond, The Cry is a spectacular and moving musical production that remembers children who've lost their lives or childhood because of warfare, armed conflict or ethnic cleansing. The lead vocalists are Niamh Perry (BBC1's I'd Do Anything) and opera star Mark Stone. They'll be joined by violinist Jeanine Thorpe (BBC2's Classical Star and Maestro), Adrian Snell, the London Oriana Choir, the London Oratory School Schola, keyboard player Dave Bainbridge (Iona) and a host of other talented singers and musicians. The performance will be introduced by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.
The Cry features a rap specially recorded for the premiere by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who says 'I'm delighted to be involved as a rapper for the premiere of The Cry, which gives these often forgotten victims of wars a voice that will lift the roof off St Paul's Cathedral!'
Admission is free, but by ticket only. Tickets can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope, stating how many you require, to:
The Cry, The Chapter House, St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
Further information can be found at www.stpauls.co.uk under 'Concerts & Events' or on Facebook (search under 'The Cry: A Requiem for the Lost Child').
This was passed to the WordLive team and we thought we should share with you all.
Friday, 10 October 2008
A long week…
A lot can happen in a week. And this past week in particular has seen unthinkable things happening in the world of economics and finance. Three Icelandic banks have been rescued1 (I didn’t know that Iceland had three banks – it’s hardly any bigger than the city where I live). What will have happened to the world’s economy in a week’s time?
Meanwhile the US presidential campaign has moved on from focusing on the economy to personal abuse and back to the economy. Who knows what will happen by the time of the election on November 4? It’s amazing to me that anyone would want to be leader just now. Fortunately, the President of Ukraine seems to know why. Announcing a snap election he said that it’s ambition that drives politicians2. Only politicians?
One of the key questions all of this raises is whether we will learn from it? Of course politicians will try to improve regulation. But will we still keep chasing after the same things, imagining that we can all have it all? That really is a fool’s paradise.
Yet again this week’s readings bring a different vision. The acclaimed leader will be killed within a week. The needy are blessed rather than the privileged. And when justice eventually comes, not everyone will think it is good news. That was a long week too.
Emlyn Williams
October 2008
1 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7660511.stm
2 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/world/europe/10ukraine.html?ref=europe
Meanwhile the US presidential campaign has moved on from focusing on the economy to personal abuse and back to the economy. Who knows what will happen by the time of the election on November 4? It’s amazing to me that anyone would want to be leader just now. Fortunately, the President of Ukraine seems to know why. Announcing a snap election he said that it’s ambition that drives politicians2. Only politicians?
One of the key questions all of this raises is whether we will learn from it? Of course politicians will try to improve regulation. But will we still keep chasing after the same things, imagining that we can all have it all? That really is a fool’s paradise.
Yet again this week’s readings bring a different vision. The acclaimed leader will be killed within a week. The needy are blessed rather than the privileged. And when justice eventually comes, not everyone will think it is good news. That was a long week too.
Emlyn Williams
October 2008
1 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7660511.stm
2 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/world/europe/10ukraine.html?ref=europe
Monday, 22 September 2008
‘Money, money, money in a rich man’s world…’
‘Continuing turmoil in financial markets’
‘Nightmare on Wall Street’
These are strange times. One of Americas largest and oldest banks folds. The UK’s largest mortgage lender sees its share price tumble before being taken over. Governments intervene and central banks throw in billions to shore up struggling economies.
And it’s not just the ‘fat cats’ who suffer. It’s everyone. House prices, interest rates, dwindling pension funds; these things affect us all. On top of that we face rising food prices and escalating energy costs, There is a spirit of uncertainty and fear.
What would Jesus say to this? Well, some startling things.
Give it away.
So goes his advice to the rich young man (Matthew 19:16–22). Money gets in the way of our relationship with God. It becomes a false god. Perhaps we are reaping the consequences of worshipping a false god for too long.
Sort your priorities.
This life isn’t all there is – and it’s the one to come that matters (Mathew 19:27–30). Where is our treasure?
Live by God’s grace.
The Vineyard Workers Union were justifiably upset (Matthew 20:1–16). The same wage for those who worked all day and for those who worked for an hour? Unjust. True – but God doesn’t deal with us on the basis of what we deserve (just as well!), but on the basis of his magnificent generosity.
Be servants.
Don’t get caught up in the power games of this world (Matthew 20:20–28). Learn to use what you have for the benefit of others.
So when things fall apart around us, we can take a longer view. Our final security lies, not in what we have, but in the love and goodness of God. That’s where our focus should be.
‘Nightmare on Wall Street’
These are strange times. One of Americas largest and oldest banks folds. The UK’s largest mortgage lender sees its share price tumble before being taken over. Governments intervene and central banks throw in billions to shore up struggling economies.
And it’s not just the ‘fat cats’ who suffer. It’s everyone. House prices, interest rates, dwindling pension funds; these things affect us all. On top of that we face rising food prices and escalating energy costs, There is a spirit of uncertainty and fear.
What would Jesus say to this? Well, some startling things.
Give it away.
So goes his advice to the rich young man (Matthew 19:16–22). Money gets in the way of our relationship with God. It becomes a false god. Perhaps we are reaping the consequences of worshipping a false god for too long.
Sort your priorities.
This life isn’t all there is – and it’s the one to come that matters (Mathew 19:27–30). Where is our treasure?
Live by God’s grace.
The Vineyard Workers Union were justifiably upset (Matthew 20:1–16). The same wage for those who worked all day and for those who worked for an hour? Unjust. True – but God doesn’t deal with us on the basis of what we deserve (just as well!), but on the basis of his magnificent generosity.
Be servants.
Don’t get caught up in the power games of this world (Matthew 20:20–28). Learn to use what you have for the benefit of others.
So when things fall apart around us, we can take a longer view. Our final security lies, not in what we have, but in the love and goodness of God. That’s where our focus should be.
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Room for all
It has been heartening to see the media coverage, at least in this part of the world, given to the Paralympics. People with disability are too often pushed to the edges. But before we get too excited let’s remember that the coverage is minimal compared to the coverage of the able-bodied Olympics and that we are looking at only a small number of talented people.
Nevertheless Jesus would have approved. In Matthew 18, he gives value to some of the less significant members of society. He even says that children are models for the way in which we enter into the kingdom of God, and find relationship with him.
Any society which ignores or, worse, oppresses its most vulnerable members, be they children, the elderly or those with special needs, has failed to understand God’s desire for justice. The God of Psalm 149 is a God who crowns the humble. Time and time again in the Bible we find people commanded to care for the vulnerable. Leaving aside the coverage of the Paralympics, how does our society treat the vulnerable?
How does our church? Is there adequate provision for children? Do the elderly feel welcome and comfortable? Is there sufficient provision for the hearing-impaired or those with poor sight? Is there adequate wheelchair access?
John Grayston
Nevertheless Jesus would have approved. In Matthew 18, he gives value to some of the less significant members of society. He even says that children are models for the way in which we enter into the kingdom of God, and find relationship with him.
Any society which ignores or, worse, oppresses its most vulnerable members, be they children, the elderly or those with special needs, has failed to understand God’s desire for justice. The God of Psalm 149 is a God who crowns the humble. Time and time again in the Bible we find people commanded to care for the vulnerable. Leaving aside the coverage of the Paralympics, how does our society treat the vulnerable?
How does our church? Is there adequate provision for children? Do the elderly feel welcome and comfortable? Is there sufficient provision for the hearing-impaired or those with poor sight? Is there adequate wheelchair access?
John Grayston
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Slavery today
Last year we celebrated the 200 anniversary of the ending of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. We remembered the work of Christians like William Wilberforce. But the sad truth is that slavery is still very much with us. It affects the weakest and poorest in our world. People are shipped across the world with the promise of a better life only to find themselves in forced labour, the sex trade or foreign armies. Many of them are children. As I was preparing this I heard a BBC news item about a report on prostitution in London. It mentioned the exploitation of women and often young girls, many lured from their own countries.
At the time of abolition the slavers argued that the Bible supported slavery – some people still think it does. But our readings in Philemon and Leviticus 25 tell a different story. They show a God who is passionately concerned for justice for all including slaves, who are to be well treated, properly rewarded and seen as brothers and sisters. In time these ideas led to the end of slavery. Apply them today and we would not have the situations that we have.
To find out more about slavery today and discover how you can get involved in the fight against it go to www.stopthetraffik.org.
John Grayston
At the time of abolition the slavers argued that the Bible supported slavery – some people still think it does. But our readings in Philemon and Leviticus 25 tell a different story. They show a God who is passionately concerned for justice for all including slaves, who are to be well treated, properly rewarded and seen as brothers and sisters. In time these ideas led to the end of slavery. Apply them today and we would not have the situations that we have.
To find out more about slavery today and discover how you can get involved in the fight against it go to www.stopthetraffik.org.
John Grayston
Thursday, 28 August 2008
It's a small world
it's a small world With the Beijing Olympics over, the flag has been passed on to London. The Global Village may be a cliché, but the fact is we live in a connected world.
Whilst the games took place in Beijing, the focus was the world. More than 200 nations were represented – more than in the UN. And now athletes, officials, media people and visitors have scattered to the ends of the earth.
This connectedness is not just about warm feelings or the availability of information. Events in one place can have a much wider significance than it first seems. Last week’s terrible plane crash in Madrid didn’t just affect Spain. Victims came from 11 other countries. And the Spanish airline involved is owned by SAS, a joint Danish, Norwegian and Swedish company.
The openness of the world also exposes things which some would prefer to be hidden. Last week, women in Swaziland – one of the poorest countries in the world – demonstrated against a shopping trip to Europe and the Middle East undertaken by 9 of the king’s 13 wives. 1
And as for Gary Glitter, his world became a smaller place with 19 countries refusing him entry. He had no option other than to return to Britain. 2
This week’s readings have this global perspective. But look deeper and you’ll see much more, a glorious cosmic vision!
Emlyn Williams
1http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7574824.stm 2http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2601785/Gary-Glitter-vows-to-clear-his-name-after-travesty-of-justice-in-Vietnam.html
Whilst the games took place in Beijing, the focus was the world. More than 200 nations were represented – more than in the UN. And now athletes, officials, media people and visitors have scattered to the ends of the earth.
This connectedness is not just about warm feelings or the availability of information. Events in one place can have a much wider significance than it first seems. Last week’s terrible plane crash in Madrid didn’t just affect Spain. Victims came from 11 other countries. And the Spanish airline involved is owned by SAS, a joint Danish, Norwegian and Swedish company.
The openness of the world also exposes things which some would prefer to be hidden. Last week, women in Swaziland – one of the poorest countries in the world – demonstrated against a shopping trip to Europe and the Middle East undertaken by 9 of the king’s 13 wives. 1
And as for Gary Glitter, his world became a smaller place with 19 countries refusing him entry. He had no option other than to return to Britain. 2
This week’s readings have this global perspective. But look deeper and you’ll see much more, a glorious cosmic vision!
Emlyn Williams
1http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7574824.stm 2http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2601785/Gary-Glitter-vows-to-clear-his-name-after-travesty-of-justice-in-Vietnam.html
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