good weekend

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The weekend has been one of highlights only.
This weekend my brother, Steve, joined us and it was great to catch up and have a laugh. He also acted as my good luck mascot as he came to watch the Gills and it was our first win in ages. Sadly, he does not seem keen to come to more home games.
The sports results all seemed to go the right way this weekend – and BIG congrats to Spurs fans (sorry Jonny!)
A weekend of good beer, wine, whisky and curry (shockingly my first curry of 2008!)- what else do you need?

YFC Big Day

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On Saturday 15th March, YFC will be opening it’s doors and putting on a series of workshops with music, drama & sports content. The day is designed to give young people between the ages of 15 & 25 an insight into the missional opportunites YFC provide on both an international and national level.

So if you your are interested or know somebody who might be interested, you can download a planned outline of the day by or an A6 pdf flyer. Please see the links below:
download day outline
Download pdf flyer

For more information please get in touch with Beckie Allport by calling on 0121 502 9624

Diorganised creativity

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Last year I did not take up all my holiday and so I have 5 days that have been added to this years allowance, but need to be used by the end of March. So, the last 2 days I have been using some of that time up to take some time off with the family as it is half term in Medway.

As well as going to London yesterday (Imperial War Museum, Hamleys, bus rides just for the sake of bus rides, National Gallery, coffee)and visiting Howletts today I have also been able to catch up on some reading, particularly in blog land.

I have found some good podcasts over at Moot, and some great thoughts on creativity by being disorganised here and by planning regular interruptions here.

The thoughts on creativity have been quite inspiring – particularly the ideas around play and using some form of ‘randomizer’. Mark McGuinness defines a randomizer as ‘a device or game that acts as a randomizer, throwing up new combinations that can spark your imagination into life.’ McGuinnes uses magnetic poetry but there are plenty of other things and I like to use google and word games.

I also liked the idea that being creative was taking time off or skiving. Tomorrow, I’m going to skive some more and see what happens!

(love this pic which I think sums up a type of disorganised creativity and brings a smile to my face! If you click on it you get a bigger version)

seeing through the fog

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Yesterday morning I left the house just before 530am to be at head office in Halesowen as it was my turn as a senior manager to join the leadership team meeting which runs from 9 until 5. I quite like leaving this early, but on this occasion there was dense fog and it was difficult to see my car when I stepped out of my front door, let alone think of driving for 3 hours.

As I tentatively started out I was pleased to see that the fog was not uniform across my route. After about 20 mins looking hard for signs of were to go, the fog suddenly cleared, only to return later in the journey on a number of occasion.

It did cross my mind that driving through fog can be like trying to understand the journey of our lives if we choose to make that journey a journey with God. There are times when I find myself in situations where I am quite scared, and even worried for my safety as I gingerly move ahead in full concentration, knowing that the road is there somewhere but needing to look very carefully to be able to stay on that road. Yesterday this was helped my following others that were ahead of me, although that can have its risks too.

At other times, when the fog cleared, I was able to sit back and breathe a bit of a sigh of relief as I could see the road ahead quite clearly and put my foot down on the accelerator. I enjoyed this part of the journey, and the music was turned up as it is much easier to concentrate – but these are times as well that I work on automatic and miss the stuff that is rushing past me at 70 mph (officially!)

On refection I’m not sure if I prefer the harder part of the journey, where I am searching and noticing more and having to make a great effort, or whether its the sunnier parts of the journey which seem to cost me very little. I guess I like the variety of both!

The meeting itself was great. It’s always a pleasure to experience how honest our leadership team is with each other and how enabling and encouraging they can be in their outlook. It’s good to be part of something so special!

westminster visit

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Today I ticked off one of those things that I’ve wanted to do for ages … a kind of little lifetime ambition in going to a meeting that was held in the Houses of Parliament. Today I got to meet with others in Committee Room 21, which is on the second floor you know!

It was great to walk up the stairs where politicians of the ages have walked and to wonder what conversations the walls had heard. To sit where countless others had sat as they eeked out legislation.

I was representing YFC at a meeting pulled together byChristians in Politics where we were looking at how we can encourage churches and Christians to become involved in politics. It was an interesting and worthwhile 2 hours.

I even got to sit in those genuine green leather chairs!

Burma Campaign Update: Padoh Mahn Sha assassinated

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Dear Friend
I am writing today with very sad news. On Thursday 14th February Padoh Mahn Sha, the father of one of our staff members, Zoya Phan, was assassinated by agents of the military regime in Burma. Two gunmen came to his house and shot him in the chest.

Padoh Mahn Sha was General Secretary of the Karen National Union, which represents the Karen ethnic group in Burma in their struggle for democracy and human rights.

He was a greatly respected leader who had dedicated his life for the struggle for freedom. He was killed because of his effective and principled stand against the regime.

His assassination is yet more evidence, as if it were needed, that the regime is determined to cling on to power, no matter what. They see leaders, such as Padoh Mahn Sha, who speak out for freedom and justice, as a threat to their survival.

Many of you will have seen Zoya Phan speak at events and on television news or seen her articles in our magazine. You can view some of her speeches on our website.

Zoya and her brothers and sister have set up a fund in memory of their father. Donations can be made online at http://www.zoyaphan.com. The fund will be used to tackle poverty and provide education in Karen state, two issues very close to Padoh Mahn Sha¹s heart. You can donate by credit card from any country or you can send a cheque made out to ŒBurma Campaign UK¹ and post it to Padoh Mahn Sha Fund, care of Burma Campaign UK, 28 Charles Square, London N1 6HT, UK.

A statement from the children of Padoh Mahn Sha, released on the day of his death, follows below.

Anna Roberts
Director, The Burma Campaign UK

Statement from the children of Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan

We are very sad to lose a great father and a great leader.

We were lucky to have a father who was caring and full of love. He gave us guidance and support, and taught us tolerance and to stand against injustice. He could not give us wealth or luxury, but ensured that we had an education and the opportunity to fulfill our potential

He was always humble, yet a strong and brave leader. He dedicated his life to the struggle, and always put the welfare of his people and his country before himself. His example of determination and self-sacrifice to win our freedom won him the love and respect of not just the Karen people, but also the Burmese democracy movement and of freedom loving people around the world.

He will be remembered by many not only as an inspirational leader, but also on a personal level for the many acts of kindness he performed for those who needed help.

We are proud to be his children, as all Karen people and all people who long for freedom in Burma are proud of him.

Our father may be dead, but we will remember him. He taught us that it was our duty to work for the Karen people, and as his children we will continue his dedicated work towards true freedom for our people and peace in our country.

His determination for freedom and democracy lives on within us and within the Karen people. He did not live to see freedom for our people, but his dream will be fulfilled. The Karen, and all the people of Burma, will be free.

We will be establishing a foundation in memory of our father. Donations can be made online at www.zoyaphan.com

Saw Say Say
Nant Bwa Bwa Phan
Nant Zoya Phan
Slone Phan

A brief biography of Padoh Mahn Sha
Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan was born in Rangoon on 5th July 1943.
He graduated from Rangoon University in 1966 with a degree in history.

He joined the Karen National Union (KNU) in 1963. In 1964 he became a member of the KNU Central Committee, and was elected Joint General Secretary in 1995. He was elected General Secretary in 2000, and is also a member of the Secretariat of the National Council of the Union of Burma, the umbrella organisation representing organisations in the Burmese democracy movement.

Padoh Mahn Sha married Nant Kyin Shwe in 1976. She passed away on 31st July 2004. He is survived by four children, two sons and two daughters; Saw Say Say, Nant Bwa Bwa Phan, Nant Zoya Phan, Slone Phan

To make a donation to the Padoh Mahn Sha fund, please visit http://www.zoyaphan.com

If you are not already a member of the Burma Campaign UK e-mail network, and would like to receive these updates directly, you can subscribe by sending a blank e-mail to:
burmacampaign-subscribe@lists.burmacampaign.org.uk

The Burma Campaign UK
Registered Company No. 3804730
Registered office address
28 Charles Square
London N1 6HT

weekend conversations

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Its been a busy few days where I have met with lots of people; eaten good food, drunk coffee, win, beer, driven a few hundred miles (not after the beer and wine drinking!)and shared, listened, thought and laughed.

Highlights of the weekend
– lunch with Becky and Becky which they paid for – although it’s a highlight for the conversation, not just the food!
– facilitating a training session with trustees of Waltham Forest YFC
– chatting with Simon after years!
– Paul and Nia, good friends from Cheltenham YFC, joining us for dinner on Saturday night
– hearing peoples stories at harvest

There has been a good bit of chilling and chatting over food which s always a special thing to do, and I almost always think it’s quite a Godly thing to do as throughout the Gospels you can read about Jesus eating with people in different circumstances.

Lowlights of the weekend
Gillingham losing 4-0
Liverpool being knocked out of the FA Cup
Driving

so the weekends over … bring on the work – well 2 days of it until i take some holiday/TOIL

faith identity

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I was back in London today to attend an Interfaith Consultation event hosted by NCVYS. We were looking at the framework for interfaith dialogue document that has been produced for consultation by Hazel Blears Department. It’s worth having a read and responses and comments can be submitted up to March 7th.

During the consultation somebody shared something that I had not really noticed before from their observations in a classroom. Young people from faiths other than Christian seem to have a strong faith identity. When asked about their heritage ‘Christian’ young people seem to talk geographically (i.e. where they come from) wheareas young people from other faiths speak of ‘who they are’ which might be Hindu, Sikh, Muslim …

This hit me as a bit of failing on behalf of the church, and I am remembering the church consists of us, the people. We have failed to help young people to develop their Christian identity.

Part of our mission o make disciples of young people means we must help them work out a Christian identity – how do we do that?

I think the evangelical money making side of Christianity as attempted with WWJD, trendy crosses, pendants, clothing and so on … but that does not really provide the identity they are looking for or need, and the real motivation and agenda there is to make money rather than aid identity development.

So … what can we do to help Christian young people develop their Christian identity?

harvest placement

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I’ve mentioned before that this term I am not attending lectures and instead I am on placement at Harvest in Margate. I’e just returned from my latest evening visit to Harvest where I had a meal with Maggie, Harold and Lizzie (which was very kind of them) before visiting the cell conveniently held in the house next door.

Harvest calls itself a new Anglican church and is 10 years old this year. Harvest is an Anglican cell church plant. There is central meeting on a Sunday held in one of the university buildings but the main body of the church meets in cells throughout the week.

This is an interesting placement. Harvest seems to mean many things to many different people. I am trying to discover what evangelism looks like in this setting as well as what the ‘theology of the holy spirit’ is for people of Harvest. There does not seem to be one uniform answer to either of these questions.

I am not sure what I think of Harvest yet. It is difficult to get a feel for something that is diverse both theologically and geographically. Visiting Harvest means going to Margate all day on Sunday to meet people or visit cells – so this is going to be quite a slow process. I am aware that it is not my style of church as I do not feel entirely comfortable here and have become aware that I am struggling with the lack of symbolism in the life of Harvest (this struggle has come as a a bit of a surprise to me). What Harvest do is excellent for the people who are part of Harvest, but it is not me.

There are exciting things to see here though. Tonight people were engaging with the bible in a real way, not allowing themselves to be content with pat easy answers that I have experienced in my past dabbling into cells or home groups.. Most impressive for me, though, is the ability to belong to Harvest without the need to all believe the same. There is a very inclusive outlook here which brings questions of how this is sustained and held in tension as inevitably people will be disagreeing with each other on some key issues.

I’m looking forard to hearing more and questioning more over these next few weeks.

extended schools conference

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I went to a conference looking at Extended Schools today in London. It was a good event for networking with others in the south east and I was able to hand out a few cards to people who are interested in speaking with YFC more about youth mission in their areas – so it was a good use of time in this way but I did find the content quite basic and un-challenging.

As is always the case with such conferences I am amazed at the way money is used. We used a good hotel, with a unbelievably good lunch menu, cakes and pastries at every break – and they were all very very nice. I can’t help but think, however, that surely this money could have been put to better use; either with the number of speakers, workshops or for some good publicity material or ‘extended schools toolkit’ that we could use with others to encourage engagement with this. Maybe I’m getting to be a moany old man!

If you go to a church that would love to get involved in Extended schools YFC have produced an excellent resource called The Crux that gives you everything you need to get succesfully involved in supporting a school with this.