Moving

CROSSTALK EDITORIAL OCTOBER 2006-Simon Wilson

There was once a man who had grown tired and cynical. Nothing brought him wonder or joy, and life itself held no magic. One day he decided to leave his own home town, where everything was familiar, and search for the perfect Magical City where had heard that all was different, new, full and rewarding. So he left. On his journey he found himself in a forest. He settled down for the night, prepared a fire and had a bite to eat. Before he retired for the night he was careful to take off his shoes and point them towards his destination. However, unknown to him, while he slept some students came and, seeking some fun, turned the shoes around. When the traveller awoke the next morning he carefully stepped into his shoes and continued on his way to the Magical City. After a few days, he found it-not quite as large as he had imagined. In fact, it looked somewhat familiar. He found a familiar street, knocked on a familiar door, met a familiar family he found there and lived happily ever after.

Moving is great. It is about new starts and opportunities, exploring and discovering new places, meeting strangers becoming friends. Somehow even the tiredest furniture can look fresh and funky in new surroundings. Nothing is more satisfying than a house lived in by others beginning to feel like home. Whilst a child, my family moved home frequently. By the age of 10, I had already moved 6 times. Surely little beats the excitement of the first day at a new school or the challenges of a new job. But as the parable above reminds us, moving forwards and new beginnings do not have to be drastic to be significant. Sometimes new visions and changed attitudes can be enough.

The Christian pilgrimage is a journey for eager travellers; for those who feel the constant tug of the road; for people liberated by challenges and opportunities; for those who love life but love it too much to commit themselves to only one part of it; for people who stay long enough to learn the truth of a place, but who eventually shoulder their pack and say goodbye. To be on a journey and re-pitch our tents is enough. For when we do that, we are following an inner urge, the voice calling from the depths.

So, as Veronica and myself move to Foulsham; as Veronica becomes Rector of Foulsham, Stibbard, Wood Norton, Guestwick and Themelthorpe; Simon Diocesan Co-ordinator for Social and Community Concerns; please pray for us as we pray for you and thanks for all you are and all you do.

GOOD BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

On the Ball City

NORWICH CITY 3 LUTON TOWN 2
The good times are back at Carrow Road

Please don't forget the Middle East

In the turmoil of yesterday's security developments, it would be easy to forget that peace is no reality yet in the Lebanon, Israel and Palestine. It is really good then to see that
the Archbishop of York is to embark on an act of ‘public witness’ to encourage people throughout the country to join him in a week long campaign of prayer and fasting for Peace in the Middle East. His initiative deserves wide support.

Starting on Sunday August 13th, The Most Revd. Dr. John Sentamu will forego his seven day holiday to Salzburg to camp inside York Minster where he will be asking people from all over the country to join him in heart and mind to pray every hour for peace in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. As well as for good neighbourliness in this country.

“In the Middle East there are thousands of people sleeping in churches, bunkers, underground car parks and shelters in an attempt to escape from the bombs and rockets that are falling on both sides of the border” said the Archbishop.

“This act is a rallying call to people of all faiths and none, to encourage them to feel that there is something that can be done. The UN has a role, diplomacy has a role and our Government has a role to play in bringing this conflict to an end. But we as people also have a role to play in showing our common humanity with all those who are suffering.

“We have an opportunity to stand up and be counted with those in Israel, Lebanon and Palestine and all over the world who seek after Peace. This is what this week will be about, people coming together for one purpose alone – to pray for peace in our troubled world and to pray especially for the Middle East.

“I will be inviting people from all over the country to pause for a prayer and light a candle for peace. I will lead every day, on the hour, every hour for seven days. Just like those sleeping on the floors of bunkers, car parks and churches, I will also spend the week camped out sleeping in the Minster.

“Many thousands of people have been denied access to food and water as a result of the fighting. Why not join me in a spirit of fasting during the week by being prepared to forego a meal and donate the money to charities, like Save the Children fund, who are working in the conflict zone ? At a future date we must all give generously to the reconstruction of Northern Israel, Lebanon and Palestine.”

Middle East Cease-fire Petition

Right now a tragedy is unfolding in the Middle East. Hundreds of civilians have died in the bombings in Lebanon, Israel and Palestine and the death toll is rising every day.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called for an immediate ceasefire and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has joined Annan in calling for the deployment of international troops to the Israel-Lebanon border. This is the best proposal yet to stop the violence, but for it to succeed other global leaders need to get behind it immediately.

I have just signed a petition urging regional and global leaders to speak out and support Kofi Annan's proposal. If people around the world can persuade their governments to unite in demanding a ceasefire, all sides in this conflict will be pressured to stand down. Can you sign the petition too?

http://www.ceasefirecampaign.org

The petition will be sent to key regional and global leaders and publicized in major newspapers in the Middle East, US and Europe. With enough signatures we can help pressure our leaders to stop the violence.

Thanks!

Criminal Justice-views sought

As a member of the Liberal Democrat policy working group looking at issues related to crime in the community, I would be interested to hear the views of others on related issues such as restorative and community justice, the rights of victims and programmes aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour. Our challenge is to keep our liberal instincts intact yet still be shown to take cime seriously. Examples of good practise would be of particular interest.
Thank you.

Fighting Poverty at home and abroad

Liberal Democrat Christian Forum commits to challenging poverty in England The Liberal Democrat Christian Forum (LDCF) have today welcomed the launch of the Church of England based urban regeneration charity as part of a new public campaign to tackle poverty in England, in the aftermath of a new churches’ report on urban life which said that Britain is divided society.‘Challenging Poverty’ is an initiative of the Church Urban Fund (CUF), which was established after the original 1985 ‘Faith in the City’ report. It will raise awareness of the plight of the 11.4 million people living below the poverty line in this country and encourage action in local communities. The extent of inequality and deprivations has been highlighted by the latest churches’ investigation ‘Faithful Cities’, published last month, which involved Methodists, Catholics and other faith communities in a two-year Anglican-led research process.The ‘Challenging Poverty’ campaign will enable CUF to continue its work with the top 10 per cent of the poorest communities in England, after intense discussions about its future. On behalf of LDCF, Rev’d Simon Wilson comments,
“We welcome this new dynamic and broad-based campaign aimed at supporting some of the poorest communities in our increasingly divided nation. We pray that through grassroots schemes, individual lives and whole communities will be transformed for good. The Liberal Democrats have a proud record of striving to bring hope to all those oppressed by poverty and powerlessness.”

The main church-based campaign group on inequality and deprivation across the UK is the ecumenical Church Action on Poverty. Fran Beckett, chief executive officer of the Church Urban Fund, said yesterday: “We live in the fifth richest country in the world and yet 20 percent of people live below the poverty line with 3.4 million of them being children. It is staggering that this level of poverty still exists in the 21st century and it is a scandal so many people believe impoverishment is invisible, when it is happening right on our doorstep.” The campaign will take place in two stages. The launch yesterday started the process of raising public awareness about poverty and the role of the Church Urban Fund. It aims to garner support from the community and attract a network of supporters. The second stage commences in October 2006 with the launch of fundraising initiatives targeted at individuals and businesses.People can support and find out more about the ‘Challenging Poverty’ campaign by going online at http://www.challengingpoverty.org

criminal justice foum

Last week saw the launch of an ecumenical criminal justice forum for Norfolk at a well-attended meeting hosted by the Bishop of Norwich. A group of local judges, magistrates, senior police and probation officers, prison and police chaplains, lawyers and voluntary agencies such as Victim Support and denominational representatives have come together to form a network to engage with criminal justice issues from a Christian perspective and seek ways of reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in the community by tackling their root causes and suggesting imaginative and effective deterrents.

The forum will be chaired by Norfolk Magistrate, Paddy Seligman under the episcopal oversight of the Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Rev’d James Langstaff, with Rev Simon Wilson, chaplain to Norfolk Police, acting as convenor. Various working groups will be formed to look at a variety of specific issues with Community Chaplaincy and Restorative Justice having been agreed as early priorities.

Last week’s meeting was an encouraging start to the work of this ecumenical forum. It was heartening to see so many people working in the criminal justice field come together to explore a Christian perspective to their work and committed to engaging with local churches and communities and making a real difference in an area of such topical concern to so many.

BBC Radio Norfolk

Today was my regular spot as sofa-guest on Radio Norfolk's breakfast programme with Stephen Bumphrey. Stimulating and enjoyable as always, a range of subjects were discussed including "a good death", disability and Doctor Who. I was pleased to also be able to talk about my chaplaincy role and touch upon the comercialisation of Easter.
The Forum, in the centre of the city, currently has an exhibition of images of Christ from around the world which is very interesting and an appropriate reflection for Holy Week as we ask ourselves who Jesus is to us an what his death and resurection means for us today. There is more to Easter than chocolate eggs and bunnies.

Visiting Garboldisham

An interesting trip out today to speak at Thetford and Rockland Deanery Chapter about my book, the ministry of healing and RoadPeace-good discussion with some valuable points raised. There's always something new to hear.

Norwich City 2 Leicester City 1

Saturday proved not to be the most exciting atmosphere for this end of season run out at Carrow Road. Norwich fans turning to irony after a disappointing season. This was fifth home win in a row but the play-offs remain a distant mathematical possibility. We live in hope. There's always next year...

Power Report

The publication of the Power Report this week will have passed most people by. This is a shame, as the report is the most detailed examination yet of the reasons why people are becoming less and less interested in politics, to the point where more than one in three did not even bother to vote at last year’s general election.

And what does the independent report say? That the way to re-engage people is by giving them more influence and power - through a voting system that offers them greater choice, giving more powers to local communities to exercise for themselves, and a host of other reforms to increase the accountability and responsiveness of government. Amongst other things, it also calls for reform of the House of Lords, lowering the voting age to 16 and a new concordat between local, national and European political institutions.

As a Liberal Democrat, who has been campaigning for reform of our political structures as a means of revitalising the democratic for decades, the report is a breath of fresh air. I hope people will join us and the report’s authors in pushing the Government to listen to the people.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent-that time for prayer and penitence; for self-denial and recommitment and for mutual preparation for the marking of Passiontide and Easter. It is not just about giving up the bad but about doing good in our own lives and our communities.
It was a privilege to worship this morning at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral in Norwich where the traditional ashing ceremony carried an addded poignancy. Each November, RoadPeace in East Anglia holds a serivce of Remembrance and Hope for Road Crash victims and as part of the service people present personalised oak leaves in memory their loved ones. These leaves signifying much love, pain and prayer were burnt (with traditional palm leaves) and the ash used in today's liturgy.

Liberal Democrat Leadership Elections

Tomorrow, the Liberal Democrat Leadership campaign comes to an end. Having known Simon Hughes for nearly 20 years and over that time been impressed by his energy, vision and insight alongside a personal integrity embodying a vibrant faith with compassion and active commitment to the underdog and the impoverished, he is my choice for Leader as the Liberal Democrats enter a time of both challenge and opportunity.

Simon's blog space

Greetings from Hellesdon. Today is Sunday 26th February 2006. It is 0955 and this is the first post of my blog-a chance to share my musings with the wider world.