The Power of remembrance

My thought for the day article for the Rutherglen Reformer

Lately I have been struck by the power of remembrance.  A few weeks ago myself and my wife interviewed and videoed a lady in our church about her experiences as an evacuee during the war. It was for my wife’s class who are studying the Second World War; and the video of this lady taking captivated and enthralled a normally lively and boisterous primary 7’s into a still and quiet fascination with her story. It was the power of a living memory, bringing to life a world the children could never experience for themselves.  Normally fidgeting and chatting, they listened quietly and intently.

Stories of our past can have that affect on us. It can teach us not only what life was like many years ago, but also inform the present and shape the way we live and behave. Remembrance is powerful.

In the bible there is a little known story about King David. He eventually defeated his rival for the throne, Saul and at that time there was a bitter and savage war between the two kings for power. In these days it was necessary to exterminate the family and followers of the family of your enemy in order to achieve peace.

Saul’s grandson Mephibosheth was found to be alive. He was a in a sorry state. As a cripple he pose no threat to David as a solider, but normally David securing victory he would have been expected to hunt him down and have him executed.

But David remembered that although his Grandfather was his bitter enemy, his father was a man called Jonathon a great friend of David, whom he loved like a brother. Instead of stripping of the very little he had, David spared Mephibosheth and restored him and let him live in the royal palace and eat at the Kings table. It was because he saw beyond an enemy and remembered Jonathon, David turned convention on its head and showed mercy and kindness  to a cripple.

Remembrance is powerful, but it’s real power lies in what we do with it. Do we harbour grudges with enemies, being hard and cold. Or do we, as David did, open our heart and mind to the new possibilities of living in harmony with former enemies. Being open to forgive and forget. The  question remains for us. What do we do with our memories? Are they full of things that are bitter and eat away at our souls, or do we see them as new opportunities to move on and enjoy the richness of life that forgiveness brings?

Style or substance

Tomorrow sees the first of the televised debates between the leaders of the three main political parties. America has been used to such debates, but it is something of a novelty here.

Many American political commentators will tell you that the debates are primarily about style over substance. But they are powerful. Those who win the presidential debates usually win the election. Nixon lost to Kennedy because he looked shifty and sweaty compared to a clean cut JFK. George Bush Snr lost to Bill Clinton because he kept looking at his watch. Gore lost to George.W.Bush because his body language was too aggressive. It is how they look that counts not the policy.

I wonder how our perception of Jesus would be affected if we saw him on TV. Would our perceptions be challenged. Do we sometimes want the smooth or passive Jesus that the church sometimes likes to portray? The story of Jesus cleansing the temple  suggests a wild eyed, sweating, raging Jesus. Or what about the steely eyed determined figure in the story of the rich young ruler; would you approach him let alone ask him to be lord and saviour.

Jesus is the son of God, but he does not always strike a figure that would attract us. But that is what makes him different. Unlike the electoral debates Jesus is about substance rather than style. The beatitudes are a kind of manifesto for the kingdom of God. A manifesto usually outlines promises and pledges, but the beatitudes outline the qualities that mark out the followers of Christ. Style isn’t important, substance is king here. It isn’t a vote winner because its hard and full of poverty of spirit, humility and mourning; many things we would choose to run away from.

I don’t think Jesus or his beatitudes would do well in a televised debate, It is counter cultural, goes against everything we would hold on to. The question is are these things reflected in his people who worship him in a Sunday morning, particularly so in “vibrant” middle class congregations?

Is the beatitudes reflected in the life and work in the people of God? How comfortable are we with the uncompromisingly honest Jesus? Or do we prefer our Jesus rehearsed, smooth perfectly groomed just like messers Brown, Cameron and Clegg?

Tuesdays wont be quite the same again…

I always enjoyed Bob Holman’s column in the Herald newspaper, but sadly he has decided to give it up with last weeks column. It was an interesting piece on thankfulness.

Bob Holman for two decades lived and was active in Easterhouse. He left quite a comfortable life in Bath as professor of Social Policy to devote the rest of his working life to making Easterhouse, one of Glasgow’s most deprived areas, a better place. I am currently reading his book, faith with the poor at the moment where ordinary people voice their experience of poverty rather than the experts or social commentators doing it for them. It is sobering, joyful, funny and sad in equal measure.

Bob combines Christianity and Socialism, whilst often quite rightly fiercely criticising the labour party to whom be belonged to. Yet he was not so politically partisan that he would not lend his support to political opponents who tried to tackle the same issues he is passionate about. Through this he gained friendship and respect of Ian Duncan Smith the former Conservative leader.

So I’m going to miss his column… Thanks Bob

One of the problems of the general assembly of the church of Scotland is that when a really contentious issue arises such as human sexuality, other important things sadly get lost. I was not a commissioner this year for which I think I am really quite glad; but picked up an important story via ekklesia.

It’s all about the church’s hotel in Tiberius and the following article reflects how a real and possibly more relevant moral issue is lost amongst the spin and soundbites of liberals, evangelicals and those inbetween. It’s from the report from World Mission and a debate between the board and those who moved a motion that would make the church’s centres reject buying or selling goods and services that originate from the occupied territories in Palestine, which the board resisted. Ekklesia has a religious and political standpoint which has to be kept in mind however it disturbs me that the church might making a confusing statement about the complexities of life in Israel.

Below is the article from Ekklesia

The Church of Scotland’s General Assembly, meeting in Edinburgh this week, today (23 May 2009) decided to continue selling and profiting from goods from illegally occupied territories at its hotel centre in Tiberias in northern Israel – to the disappointment and dismay of many within the Church.

The Kirk operates three centres in Israel: two churches with hotels and a multi-cultural school. The Jerusalem church and hotel was initially created as a memorial to Scottish soldiers who died in the First World War Palestine campaign; the Jaffa school near Tel Aviv and the Tiberias institution by the Sea of Galilee originated as 19th century missionary enterprises.

In recent decades, the Church of Scotland has increasingly tried to make its witness in these centres reflect the complex situation on the ground. In doing so, it has moved from what was at one time seen as a strident pro-Zionist standpoint, to a position in sympathy with the dispossession of many Christian and Muslim Palestinian communities resulting from the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Syrian land.

In recent years there have been numerous calls from Palestinian civil society, including many in the churches, for the boycott of goods and services originating in the Occupied Territories. This movement has its origins in the boycott campaigns of the South African anti-apartheid struggle.

However, after recently refurbishing the Tiberias centre and turning it into a first class hotel, the Church of Scotland sells and promotes a number of products and services from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and the Palestinian West Bank. In particular, wines produced in the Golan have been prominently advertised on the hotel website – with the bottles being promoted in the restaurant
‘wearing’ miniature kilts – and staff in the shop openly state that it does not sell any Palestinian or fair trade products, despite the Church’s Jerusalem centre hosting one of the most successful Palestinian fair trade businesses in the region, Sunbula.

Citing the Church’s World Mission Council report to the Assembly that its work in the region is an “expression of our vision of justice and peace which springs from faith in Christ as Saviour”, the Rev Sigrid Marten, from London Road Church in Edinburgh, argued that the Church’s “commitment to remaining alongside the people of the region, especially at this difficult time” entailed taking concrete action to support this and not profiting from the sale of goods from occupied land.

“Illegal occupation,” she said, “means taking land away from the rightful owners. Using that land to produce goods is not much better than theft. Selling these goods seems to me to be supporting that theft… The Church of Scotland has repeatedly spoken out against illegal settlements in these regions. I think we should ensure that we follow this decision up by avoiding produce and goods from these places at all costs.”

Noting that the Kirk’s “commitment to being part of a peaceful solution to the conflict in the region” necessitated the Church ensuring its actions “are consistent with [its] pronouncements”, Ms Marten also pointed to the need to further links to the Church’s Anglican partners in the region as well as relationships with other local churches. Taking such a stand would be seen as an expression of solidarity with the Scots’ Palestinian Christian neighbours.

The Rev Colin Renwick, the Convener of the Church of Scotland’s World Mission Council, expressed sympathy for the intention behind the motion, but argued against it. Though he did not cite any evidence, he denied Marten’s account of visitors to the shop being told by staff at Tiberias that no Palestinian or Fairtrade products were available.

Using arguments that critics accused of paralleling white claims from the South African apartheid era, Mr Renwick also said that adopting this motion would potentially harm Palestinian producers – though Palestinian organisations have themselves called for such boycotts.

He also said that the Church is working on an ethical policy for its work in the region, though he gave no indication of when this might be completed. Adopting the Rev Sigrid Marten’s motion would, he argued, prejudge some of the very issues the ethical review would be dealing with.

Supporters of the resolution expressed real concern that relations with the Church of Scotland’s Palestinian Christian and Muslim partners in the region will be harmed. However, Ms Marten’s motion was defeated.

“This means that the Church will continue to profit from the sale of products from territories illegally occupied by Israel, whilst at the same time preaching solidarity with those oppressed by that very occupation,” an observer told Ekklesia.

The Church of Scotland is the country’s national church, in the Presbyterian tradition

One Trick Ponies

I vowed not to write about the Scott Rennie case and yesterday before I realised it I had. Several things irritate me about this. One is the press handling and reporting which I mentioned in yesterdays post. My main gripe is why is it Evangelicals only ever get steamed up about homosexuality? Why isn’t groups within the church of Scotland such as forward together and confessing kirk not speaking out with the same vigour about poverty in both our own nation and the world. Why aren’t these groups organising petitions about the thousands of children who die around the world every day from hunger or preventable diseases?

I contacted via his blog Louis Kinsey a well know evangelical minister in Scotland about this. Whilst defending his stance on homosexuality, he agreed there might be a danger that evangelicals are increasing becoming to be seen as one trick ponies. I am appreciative of the time he has taken to enter into dialogue with me and his careful response.

In America writers such as Jim Wallis and Tony Campolohave resisted the urge to identify themselves with the single issue strand of conservatism in American Church life. Of course it is also tied up with right wing republican politics, something that is not so apparent here. In response to this they have created a movement of Red letter Christians. It’s a fairly cheesy title, but apt. Focusing on the actual words and teaching of Jesus often highlighted in red letters in bibles. I believe there  is a similar need for such a movement in Scotland. The inward navel gazing over one issue has done nothing to enhance the church of Scotland or to edify its members.

The Day after…

The General assembly voted late last night to reject the appeal of 12 dissenters of Aberdeen Presbytery in the matter of the call of the Rev Scott Rennie. I’ve been disappointed by the quality of journalism surrounding this case over the few weeks. The message is that the Church of Scotland back the idea of practising homosexual ministers. In Rev Rennie’s case last nights proceedings this was a legal case where the process of the call was on trial. The Assembly pronounced two important facts which the press have been slow to pick up on.
Firstly Aberdeen Presbytery conducted the call quite correctly according to church law, secondly that this decision does not reflect any official Assembly position on human sexuality. Of course Mr Rennie’s sexuality was at the heart of the case but this ultimately was not on trial.
What really bugs me the continual use the media make of the term “traditionalist” to describe those who do question the validity of homosexual men and women taking a leadership role. The term is an invention of the press and I have never heard it used in the church. It is misleading as many who might oppose the ordination of gay ministers are far from traditional in their outlook.
The media including the BBC and the scottish press such as the Sunday Herald have handled this badly and sensationalised and attempted to polorise matters at every oppertunity. We really do deserve better from them.

Who’s sorry now?

“Sorry seems to be the hardest word” so goes the song. Not unless, it seems, if you are a MP. Recently our papers have had stories about abuses of the expenses system at Westminster usually accompanied by a shame faced picture of an MP apologising for some aspect of their expenses. We’ve had apologies from all three leaders of the main parties about the alleged abuses of expenses, but it seems that the system which is widely regarded as bad has been in existence for years and its is only within the last fortnight abuses of the expenses scheme has come to light. It leaves the question hanging, are those who have been caught out sorry because of what they have done, or are they sorry because they have been caught?
However for a lot of us saying sorry is very hard. Accepting responsibility in the blame culture that exists in Britain is something we are not encouraged to do. But acknowledging our faults and failures can lead to most extraordinary results. I read recently of an elderly black woman in South Africa whose husband and son had been involved in the struggle against apartheid and had been murdered. Years later at the truth and reconciliation commission she heard how a white police officer had been responsible for their deaths, and had decided to accept his guilt and ask for forgiveness. He had beaten the two men to death and then had burned their bodies to make them disappear.
The woman sat impassively and listened carefully to the police officers confession and expression of remorse. At the end of the hearing the presiding judge asked if the woman wanted anything. She asked for three things. To know the location of where the ashes of her husband and son were buried, for the policeman to come and visit her and in her words “be her son”. The third thing she wanted was for someone to help her across the room so that she could embrace the policeman and tell him that she forgave him and God would forgive him. Her friends in the court room spontaneously began to sing Amazing Grace as she was helped towards the man who murdered her family but now was her son.
A simple heartfelt sorry is perhaps amongst the most powerful words in the English language. It is often the beginning of the healing process. It is the start of restoring broken relationships.
It is in God’s nature to forgive us, but if we are true to ourselves we know how hard forgiving others can be. But receiving or offering an apology makes it easier to take that road that enhances our lives; and is there a challenge in the story of that woman? If she can respond with forgiveness to that man’s apology is there some relationship we need to mend, a sorry to be said? Ultimately it is not an admission of weakness rather an expression of hope and a new beginning.

Bob Ekblad

On Tuesday afternoon I attended a seminar at the University of Glasgow that introduced us to Bob Ekblad. Bob is a Presbyterian minister in the US and the author of “Reading the bible with the damned” His book is an account of his work in a local prison and how he uses the bible to open up new possibilities to those on the very margins of life. He has also extensively travelled in Europe and Central America and has established projects amongst the poor and marginalised there.
It was an excellent afternoon, incredibly thought provoking and challenging. Bob is a quiet unassuming man and because of this there is an integrity to his words. It is quite clear that this isn’t Bob’s mission, but God’s and Bob lends his hands freely.
I am not sure how well known he is known in the UK, but his books and message deserve a greater hearing. Have a look at his website www.bobekblad.com

Halfway to Heaven

Please have a look at  halfwaytoheaven.org.uk It’s the baby of Neil Glover minister of Flemington Hallside church, Halfway Cambuslang. I know its been bubbling around in Neil’s head for quite some time and is worth a visit.
In it you will find reflections on things as diverse as the continuing debate between Dawkins, Hitchins et al and the church as well as one women’s confession of falling in love with John Calvin and his theologically steamy best seller Institutes of the christian religion

Are capitalists choking on their canapés?

Are capitalists choking on their canapés?

 

Yesterday saw the opening of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos. In the past few years this has made the headline news, but this year it appears to be a much lower key affair. The WEF is the elite of the world financial, business and political establishments. Usually all the big hitters are there, but their number, this year is depleted.

 

Bob Diamond the president of Barclays Capital and owner of one of the biggest banking salaries in the world is conspicuous by his absence, as is Citigroup chief executive Vikram Pandit and of course Scotland’s own former premier league banker Sir Fred Goodwin.

 

It appears the feel good factor has deserted even the obscenely rich and powerful. In previous years when things in the garden seemed rosy and capitalism had appeared to have conquered the world, the cabal that forms WEF began to look beyond the balance sheet at the wider picture of Global development. However it seems unlikely that in the frozen economic climate that poverty, unfair trade practices and sustainable growth for developing countries will be high on the agenda this year.

 

Which is a tragedy, for whilst recessions come and go, relatively speaking the rich continues to get richer and the poor in the world get poorer. In times when the west has to tighten its belt it is the overwhelming poor in the world that suffers; and the truth is nobody really cared when things were going well, now we are suffering the third world are relegated  further behind with the credit crunch and bank bale outs dominating.

 

It’s true that Jesus said you will always have the poor with you, [John Ch12:8] but somehow I don’t think this is quite what he had in mind as to how they should be treated when he said it.

 

Talking of Sir Fred Goodwin, I genuinely feel for him. Fred the Shred they call him now, as the Royal Bank of Scotland is now 70% owned by the government. But rewind back 18 months ago and Sir Fred  couldn’t have put a foot wrong. Hailed as a financial genius he led the Royal Bank to unparalleled heights. By who? By exactly the same people who cry for his blood now, the press and the shareholders of RBS. The same people who encouraged him to take more and more risks in order to make more and more money. Would Sir Fred have received such adulation and honours had he taken a more conservative line. Probably not, indeed maybe the job would have gone to someone who would have taken similar risks instead.

 

Clearly Sir Fred is a very visible scapegoat for the financial sins of the many. Many ancient middle eastern cultures used the scapegoat, a real goat driven into the wilderness, as a metaphor for atonement, repentance and forgiveness. In Leviticus Ch16  regulations are given to the ancient Israelites for a scapegoat again representing the sins of the people to be driven away from the community. It’s a powerful picture for humans, but in the case of Sir Fred where is the atonement on our part for the greed and wealth accumulated?  The blame falls on a few individuals who did make foolish and greedy decisions for thief financial institutions, but we were compliant in that. We cannot be absolved from blame. For we in the west enjoyed the very good times it brought for us. Now the chill bites we look for someone to blame, yet our society stubbornly denies to acknowledge its role in creating the current crisis in the banking sector. Will society ever take its responsibilities along with its privileges? History suggests apparently not. Maybe until we do we shall always struggle to understand the concept of the Kingdom of God.