I just received a flyer from Affirming Catholicism advertising Apostolic Living, a day being held on 28th January in Southwark Cathedral. It’s a grand title and the speaking line up looks to be able to back it up with Paula Gooder, Mark Russell, Mark Oakley and Janette O’Neill. The program looks good but most of all seems to be quite practical in its outlook.

It’s looks like I might be hanging out in Southwark Cathedral on 28th January. Anyone fancy joining me?

I have noticed a ‘trait’ developing over the last year or so on facebook that has caused me to question. I realise as well that this blog post may well be one of those posts where I get a backlash … but hey some people will say don’t provoke a reaction with what you write then why write!

The trait I have noticed is the status updates of Christian people. Quite frankly I find it difficult to see how Christians square what they believe with what they say in some of their status’. Without wanting to give the impression that I am writing out of a thinking that I am better than others (as those that know me know that I am very obviously not!) I do wonder what is happening and how some people seem to be able to compartmentalise faith and life.

Some examples that have stuck with me over the last few months include status’ that range from wanting people who used to be friends to come to harm because they have upset someone, to obscene racism, to jealousy over the success of a rival, to comments along the lines of ‘Winehouse deserved to die!’

I am not ashamed to say that some of those status comments have drawn me to tears. Where is the compassion, or the love, or the good news or the empathy that just one reading of any of the gospels flows continually from the mouth of Jesus. What do people looking in think about the Christian faith when they see such stuff?

Jesus calls us to love our neighbour, to turn the other cheek, not to seek revenge, to walk the extra mile, to sell what we have and give to the poor, to join with him in making the world a better place …. and we could go on. Too often we seem to be portrayed as judgemental people that want our own narrow way … and I wonder if stuff like this goes towards fuelling that view.

So my question, as it says above is … do Christians think?

As I was considering what or if to write I came across something that Graham found today which seems to resonate with what I am trying to portray… so I have done a cut and paste job below:

If the church were Christian, Jesus would be a model for living, not an object of worship.
If the church were Christian, affirming our potential would be more important than condemning our brokenness.
If the church were Christian, reconciliation would be valued over judgment.
If the church were Christian, gracious behavior would be more important than right belief.
If the church were Christian, inviting questions would be more important than supplying answers.
If the church were Christian, encouraging personal exploration would be more important than communal uniformity.
If the church were Christian, it would care more about love and less about sex.
If the church were Christian, meeting needs would be more important than maintaining institutions.
If the church were Christian, peace would be more important than power.
If the church were Christian, this life would be more important than the afterlife. 


And my second question …. is the church Christian?

Here is a great article written by Russel Brand in the Guardian. It is by far the best and most caring article I have read on Amy Winehouse and her sad death.

The article is titled ‘we need to review the way society treats addicts’ and starts …

When you love someone who suffers from the disease of addiction you await the phone call. There will be a phone call. The sincere hope is that the call will be from the addict themselves, telling you they’ve had enough, that they’re ready to stop, ready to try something new. Of course though, you fear the other call, the sad nocturnal chime from a friend or relative telling you it’s too late, she’s gone.


go hear the read it in its entirety.

I like this video – thanks to Jonny for drawing attention to it on the Pioneer training website.

What do you think?
Do you agree?
Does it annoy you?
Has it challenged you?

We live in a mad sick country in a mad sick world!

I was really moved by this program last night. If you are in the UK you can watch it here for the next 6 days in iPlayer. I experienced a mixture of anger and sadness when I heard this (amongst other things):

One in 5 low income families report skipping meals … that is something 8 year old Courtney experiences every week.
“For tea we have a big version of a sausage roll. I go without dinner when I’m at home but when I’m at school I get free dinners.”
Courtney lives with her mother and three sisters. Come the school holidays paying for food for the girls is a struggle without free school meals.

This morning on the BBC website it is contrasted by this story. I’m a football fan …. but this just makes me feel sicker than normal.

This mornings reading in Morning Prayer was 1 John 3 and I read these words:
‘How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?’

How indeed?
How have we got to a situation where no one bats an eye at a price tag of £20 million for a sports person and yet turns a blind eye to children like Courtney without food, or like Paige who sleeps in a room riddled with damp in which the ceiling collapsed, or like Sam … or like countless others in our communities ….

 I feel angry …. but I guess anger is useless …. instead I need to consider what I can do to help?

You can find my entry for Photo Friday over here at shiny photos.
I’m there as Shiny Rob, entry 69 if you think it’s noteworthy.

Today is World AIDS Day and I hope to be able to get to the cathedral tonight to take part in the World AIDS Day service. This is a powerfully moving service and a time that I want to stand with my fellow human beings who have been affected in some way by the cruelness of AIDS – not because I understand, but because I care.

Unfortunately another group of churches are, in my opinion insensitively, using this day to launch a campaign encouraging Christians to stand up for their rights – a non activity in my mind as we never see Jesus doing that in the gospels.

Today is not a day to stand up for rights … today is a day to stand with those who are hurting.

World AIDS Day Prayer 2010

God of the living and the dead
We hold before you all those who are affected by HIV
We give thanks for the lives of those who have died
Remembering the gifts and grace that they brought into our lives.
We pray for those who continue to live with HIV
For those who struggle to take their daily medication
Those who have inadequate access to medication
And those whose lives have been transformed by life saving drugs.

As we prepare for another World AIDS Day
We are reminded that to live with HIV is to live with stigma and secrets.
We remember especially the young people whose lives are affected
Those who are beginning their adult lives, living with a stigmatising virus
Those whose parents are infected and who find themselves caring and worrying
And those who put themselves at risk of new infection.
May your church be a place that welcomes people living with HIV
A place of safety and refuge; a place of love and healing.
Amen

I stumbled upon Abbotsford this week thanks to Graham.
The language used is some areas is beautiful, in others it is earthy and challenging. I particularly love Rebirth of Sacrament as I feel it resonates with my thoughts last week when I was speaking of a rolling reformation. 

Silently, waits the promise
buried in the earth
dark it’s days of longing
to be reborn in grain and grape
(you can read in its entirety here)

I love the thoughts of the earth giving birth to sacraments daily so that life is simply constantly renewed. I’m challenged by the words and image of ‘broken sacrament’ – broken because we do not bless those around us.

 I’m glad I have found this community and will be challenged by their creativity and thoughts.

I’ve needed a bit of space …

There is a pattern occurring here – when I have lots of things to think about and need ideas to come, blogging seems to take a back seat for a while. I don’t like it when this happens as I use the blog to think aloud in a kind of end of the day Examen type activity … so lack of blogging can mean I am simply immersed in work without giving much time for reflection.

Actually that is pretty much true for the last few days as we have the next gathering on Sunday which happens to be Remembrance Sunday and long before gathering dates were set I had volunteered to do this years Remembrance talks.

So the last few days have been taken up with myself worrying about what to say at both services on Sunday, and in particular the service attended by members of our armed forces. I think I have that straight in my mind now and my talk (I have never had a talk ready 6 days early before!!) is now with a trusted colleague for comment.

So …. I may come back to blogging now as lots of fun things happened over the weekend … although I’m not sure if anyone has planned anything for the gathering yet …. can you let me know please?

I have missed ASBO Jesus
welcome back Jon
(yep we are back from holiday as well and so I guess I will start writing blogging again soon)