World Aids Day

Tomorrow is the 20th World Aids day, and it always falls apropriately during the beginning of the Advent season. We remembered it at SoulSpace by inviting someone from the 'OUR' project to share with us during the service about the work that they do. James Taylor is the project manager of the centre which provides support for over 150 local peaple affected by HIV and AIDS. He came not knowing what to expect, what a lovely, brave guy. The Australian was pleased to see several of his clients in the congregation, and if he felt ill at ease with the Christian worship - he didn't show it!

He gave us hope that at least with modern medicine, people with HIV and AIDS could now expect to live as long as everyone else. The problems however, are making sure that medication is available to those throughout the world, and working hard to prevent the increase in the spread of infection. On top of this, those with HIV and AIDS face huge discrimination - James talked of three people he knew that had lost there jobs since September this year.

We pray for those living with HIV and AIDS, for the families who have lost members to this disease. We pray that the church supports those affected, and does not join in with their persecution. We pray for the OUR project, for workers like James and Wellington, surround them with hope and joy in this Advent season.

Advent begins

The season of Advent began today, and it is a reminder that we seek hope in dark times. The lectionary reading from Mark chapter 13 makes grim reading indeed. It talks of great tragedy, and pain, then the coming of Christ. But it makes little sense, the longer reading indicates that even Christ thought that he would return in the disciples lifetime (perhaps the resurrection is enough?)

The thrust of the scripture is that we need to be alert, to stay awake. Prayer, action, care for others is all part of our preparation for the coming of the true king. In this Advent season, we need to take care of each other, we need to take care of the stranger, we need to take care of our relationship with God. For this last part, we need to talk to God much more, and bring to him, through Christ, all our hopes and fears. We need to ask for guidance, and listen to that guidance when it comes. We need to let go of our need for security, and be prepared to be shocked into new beginnings.

The test of our Advent is how we hold the 'coming Christ' in Tension with the 'Christ in our midst'. Christ's kingdom of love and justice is clearly not here on earth, and yet experienced by us in our lives. Christ is present and yet his presence is not fully realised.

In this season of Advent, we look to the hope of Christ, and pray that our witness to him brings hope and joy to others. He is our light, we ask that we reflect that light onto the path of those who feel close to stumbling.

Quiet Chaos

Nanni Morreti has long been one of my favourite directors and actors. The latest film he appears in is called 'Quiet Chaos', and it documents the process one man (Morreti) goes through to cope with the death of his wife. It focuses on his relationship with his daughter, and he decides to stay outside her school gates after the tragedy, to be close on hand if she needs him. Gradually he becomes part of the life of the street, and people are drawn to him. It is a special film, with some shocking scenes, including quite an explicit sex scene. It tries to be really honest with peoples emotions after such an event.

The real joy was going with my wife, and watching a great movie together. We felt very sophisticated and more European! It also reminded me that you never quite know what quiet chaos is going on in the people we meet. Treat all with gentleness and love, for who knows what they have been through.

When have we seen you naked?

Last Sundays service has left me so moved that I must comment on it. The theme of the sheep and the goats meant we had to ask some difficult questions at service. One of them, 'have you ever been hungry, thirsty, a stranger, destitute' was answered powerfully by a man from Sierra Leon. He had been taken hostage during the war and nearly died. He escaped but was left destitute, with nothing. Many did not bother to help him. He was found by a woman from Medecins San Frontieres, who helped him. Amazingly, MSF were to be featured in our prayers for the first time in the three years we have been running SoulSpace.

His story was the perfect illustration of the difference in attitude of those who are already in hell, and those already in heaven. Thank you God for his story of hope.

Horror of Mumbai

The destabilising effect of the US's failed foreign policy is being felt by those in India today. As the full horror unfolds on our TV sets, we can only pray for the victims and perpertrators. Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, all add to the 'swamp' that creates more people capable of doing the unthinkable. I caught another bit of news just now - the Iraqi government agreed another 3 years of U.S. occupation.

I'm so worried about the world that is being forced upon us by the militarists. When will we be ruled by peacemakers?

Belle and Sebastian

Why did nobody tell me how wonderful this band is? I've just got hold of 'Push Barman to Open Old Wounds' and it is sublime. The difficulties of these last few days - silliness of the management committee of Street Angels, more threats of resignations, upsetting my wife over stupid little things, worries of work and overwork - all have been calmed by the beauty and delicious lyrics of Belle and Sebastian.

Thank you God for the salve of music.

Another death on Ashgrove

The news that someone had been found dead in suspicious circumstances last night was a terrible shock. As I came home tonight, the police tent was still up in the garden, with two PCSOs on guard. Only a month ago a poor homeless guy died on Ashgrove, and now this. We will pray for the street, and the mans family.

What was a shame, was that it happened on the same day that we posted our 'Welcome to Ashgrove' Winter newsletter. Not great timing.

Bonhoeffer's legacy

Last Sunday, Giles Fraser came to Bradford to speak at the German Church on the 75th anniversary of the 'Bradford Declaration'. Signed by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and other church leaders to denounce the Nazification of the German Church. Bonhoeffer struggled against Hitler, add stayed in Germany during the war when he could easily have fled. He was killed in a concentration camp in 1945.

How ironic that the reason that I didn't go, as much as I would have loved to hear Dr Fraser, was because one of the main organisers was a man who has intimidated and threatened so many people in this town, that Bonhoeffer would almost certainly have seen him as a modern fascist.

Bradford's anti-fascist and peace community, has gradually been alienated from important work because the man in charge of the campaign to oust the BNP is himself, an arrogant thug. This is not an isolated reflection, but is shared by hundreds of others who have been at the sharp end of his Machiavellian 'rough labour' campaigns. I learnt that he is set to become a Labour councillor, and has desires to become the leader of the Labour group in Bradford. God help us all. We need many new Bonhoeffers, and fewer Stalinists.

Bingley Heaven

Cat drove us out to the St Ives Estate in Bingley this morning. If you ever have the chance to go, you must. First stop was the beautiful small lake at the top of the Estate, full of aquatic birds, a wonderful tree lined tarn, with a sculpture on a small island. Then I walked down to the great children's park - full of high quality rides, all for free!

But the real reason for going to St Ives is the wooden sculpture trail. Witches, elves, dragons - they are all there. Clara and Angela had such a lark - Clara imitating the statues was a real treat.

I love living in Bradford, most people have no idea that so close to us are some of the most wonderful sights in England. This is our little treasure.

Guerrilla Gardening

Had a wonderful afternoon 'guerrilla gardening' with friends and members of our church. It is such a simple thing. All you have to do is identify some disused Gardens, abandoned houses in your area (there are several on our small street) then get some tools and some people and get gardening. The first thing we did was do some serious street cleaning. This helps get local people on your side, and hopefully, draws more of the neighbours into the process. After we had cleaned up several nuisance gardens, we felt able to dig up a disused garden, preparing it for the planting of potatoes early in the spring. Cat, my wife, is planning a herb garden in another of the gardens we have cleaned up.

All the things we plant will be available to people on the street. I really hope that this will catch on, as its such a simple way of building community, and growing locally produces food.

Matthew 25 Sheep and the Goats

The lectionary calendar ends dramatically this Sunday with this image of Christs return, and he's in a judgemental mood. This is the ultimate demonstration of who has got what it takes to be in the kingdom of heaven, and who hasn't. jesus carefully seperates us into the Sheep and the Goats. the Sheep have been full of acts of love to those without, the Goats have done the opposite, and failed to react to those in misery. We learn that Jesus is a hard taskmaster. All the time we have been expected to be kind and compassionate.

Surely that's expecting a bit much? Our society encourages us not to give to beggars, to leave illness to the professionals, to throw hatred at those in prison and to doubt the motives of the stranger. Christ demands too much!

The list of peoples in which we encounter Christ is illustrative, not exhaustive, but it covers key areas already examined in the Gospels - hunger, thirst, sickness, strangers, destitute, those in prison. We are expected to share, to make sure people have the means to live, we are asked to be welcoming to others, we need to heal the sick, provide for the very poor and visit those that society shuns.

Maybe that seems too much, but it is what is asked of us. As I prepared the sermon for tomorrow, a homeless man came and asked for a pair of socks. Luckily I had some airplane ones to hand and I gave him them. Tony went away very thankful, and for a moment I felt quite pleased with myself. Then, as I read the scripture, dread filled me. Had I checked how he was? Had I asked if he was hungry? Why did I not invite him into the warm on such a bitterly cold night?

Matthew 25 shows us our 'sins of omissions' - how we have failed to serve the one who came and served us. It is a sobering and fitting end to the season. Now as Advent comes on us next week - we must examine our readiness to meet the coming king. For he comes in the most unexpected ways.

Hope for the Congo

News that 3000 more peacekeepers are on there way to the Congo is welcome. What gives me more hope are the wonderful people who have come here from the Congo, and their determination that peace will prevail and that they will return.

I went to a prayer vigil today for the DRC, hosted by All Saints Church. The prayer was extraordinarily moving, with a charismatic, heartfelt feel. The singing filled me with a sense of hope and joy. I was honoured by being asked to give the final prayer, and I gave it my best attempt! The Congolese people are so warm and friendly, even after all they have been through - that is the true hope of the Congo.

Good news for the Odeon!

The Odeon building, or at least its facade, received a welcome ray of hope today. After several years where it looked like public opinion would be ignored, and the developers would get there wish to demolish the whole thing, finally, English Heritage have said that the local council should seek to save the historic twin towers and facade.

Whether or not it will force a rethink by the developers, even the T&A, normally at the beg and call of the regeneration development company, were forced to place the story on the front page. The tide is turning against those who simply want to put luxury accommodation and more offices in our city centre. The desire to gentrify Bradford's centre is flawed. We want a heart to this city that meets the needs of all of Bradford's people.

Art for the Soul

The new art installation at the German Church is a true inspiration. It is a series of plaster of paris kneelers and books, and this evening it looked at its best. The lighting, the atmosphere, the sense of place, it really is the Delius Centres first great exhibition.

I can't wait to do the Taize Service 'within' the installation this coming Sunday. The mixture of Art and spirituality is so intoxicating.

It has been a real slog for Claudia and others to move the German Church to such a place. We have gone from a closed up, mysterious but decaying building, to a vibrant space inviting cultural and social use. It is one on the greatest achievements of my job to be one of the midwives of this renaissance.

Vouchers from hell.

A Zimbabwean friend came to see me with his new vouchers recently. Because many supermarkets don't give change, and because the only way of getting cash for them is via the newsagents who only give back £4 for a £5 voucher, I normally buy them of Asylum Seeker friends pound for pound.

You used to get straight forward vouchers for Morrison's, but my friend was anxious because they had been changed to 'luncheon vouchers', with the recipients address on the front. I gave him the usual £35, and tried using them today. I was immediately asked where I got them from by the cashier, who asked another assistant if I could use them. Luckily it was a friend on another checkout! The assistant though explained I could not use it for cigarettes, alcohol or anything that wasn't food - so I asked him to look at the conveyor belt. There was nothing out of the ordinary - no booze!

I was told I couldn't get any change either, which I am sure is wrong. Over all, I was shocked at the 'grilling' I got. It is part of the humiliation that goes alongside with being an Asylum Seeker in the UK. Vouchers from hell have to go.

God and the Gangs

Went to see Bishop Joe Aldred launch a report into the church and disorder last night. It is a fine report bringing up many issues of relevance, questioning the church and our attitudes to young people, challenging the police and challenging the government. But it didn't go far enough by far.

It didn't look at policies that have resulted in huge increases in youth homelessness, the severe lack of social housing. It didn't look at poor education or poor work opportunities. It didn't link the attitudes of young men to violence to the attitude of our government that bombs countries we want to take resources from. It didn't tackle the biggest knife crime problem in Bradford - domestic violence against women.

Yes, the church can play an active part in mentoring young people, yes we can work collaboratively with local police and youth services. None of this means we shouldn't prophetically lift our voices against the policies of a government that leads to youth criminality.

Pray against crime, but more crucially about the real causes of crime.

The two highlights of the night were 1)the spotlighting that Jesus was a gang leader, and 2)my lift home from a lovely police officer. A young Asian man was gesticulating to us, and the police officer wound down his window to ask him what was his problem. We were driving the wrong way down a one way street.

Dreaming of Sligo

I woke up at five with dreams of Sligo on my mind. I could taste the wind passing over Knocknarea's golden slopes. I was meeting old friends, discovering new places, revisiting old haunts. A magical dream, encountering old men who sang like angels and old lovers who wrote timeless letters and poems.

Sligo is my spiritual home. Located on the West coast of Ireland, it has the wonderful qualities of sea and sky and mountains all wrapped up in good friends and happy memories. When I was lost in England in my younger days, it is where I went to discover myself. My dreams indicate that perhaps another visit is needed to re-energise these tired bones.

We all need a place to escape to and recharge. I try and make Desmond Tutu House a place like that for others, a place of welcome and shelter from the world. I like to show others places that have given me hope and inspiration close at hand in Bradford. We all must discover a place of pilgrimage that helps us find our true selves and brings us close to God. Sligo is my place, I wonder what yours is?

A Cry from the Congo

This evening members of JustSpace joined a peace vigil in Centenary Square in the centre of Bradford. Our purpose was to highlight the plight of the people of the Congo, and to stand in solidarity with those affected by the ongoing conflict. I was invited to say some words, and simply begged that we contact and hassle our representatives and ask 'why is the largest UN peacekeeping force in the world allowed to watch and do nothing when hundreds are being killed, thousands of women and children are being raped and tens of thousands are being displaced?'

Ben and Kongosi Mussanzi came back to Desmond Tutu House and gave a passionate and clear account of what has happened to the Congo since it was ruled by King Leopold of Belgium in 1885. The news of the CIA involvement in the death of its one legitimate leader in 1960 comes as no surprise. This is a country that has been racked by war ever since that time.

It is not a war between Hutu and Tutsi's though some would like to blame it on tribalism - it is a war about diamonds, coltan, cobalt, uranium and about oil. Every time we use a mobile phone, we should think of the minerals within, probably mined in the bloodied, war torn regions of the Congo. This is a war about us, and our resource driven world.

Two young Congolese demonstrated their anger at the meeting, understandably, they want vengeance. But Ben and Kongosi showed a different way, rooted in their deep Christian faith. They work with the victims of war, those traumatised and broken. They do not seek revenge, but seek ways of peace and forgiveness. I give thanks to God for their miraculous witness.

A Day Off, The Friendship Evening and the Morning Star

Is their ever such a thing as a day off in my line of work? There was the usual wave of emails about Street Angels. I love the shifts and patrols - last Friday was a fantastic display of how we can help so many people. The problem is managing the volunteers - they sometimes seem more interested in bickering, complaining and vying for influence then getting on with the job. Very frustrating when all else is going so well. I have decided not to try and sort things out ever by email. It is either face to face, telephone or nothing. I'm looking forward to our 1st anniversary party, a historic benchmark for Bradford which shows that despite the problems, hundreds of Christians believe that the church really can make a difference to our city.

The Friendship night for Asylum Seekers is entering a new phase. We met with two asylum seekers and dealt with their horrendous stories - but decided not to meet again til January. Frankly, the students involved have been burnt out by the horror of the things they have had to deal with. They need a break. This government has done terrible things to those seeking sanctuary, and terrible things to those who have had to deal with the shocking treatment given out to so many, including small children.

The Morning Star Supporters meeting was the last item on my day off - it was a motley affair, 4 odd blokes (myself included!) hoping to encourage many more to read a daily paper that defies the system. It seems hopeless, shops don't want to know, people seem to be happy to read dross even in the so called quality papers. I hope it still keeps coming out, for the sake of democracy, peace and socialism. The Morning Star has transformed my life over the last two decades, keeping me informed about the realities of the world without being compromised by corporate advertising or the views of the elites. Long may it continue to be a radical and prophetic voice.

Matthew 25 through the eyes of the poor

Church was a real eyeopener yesterday. I retold the story of the talents from the perspective of the man who buried his gold talent. I challenged conservative and liberal understandings of the story in Matthew 25 verse 14-30, by pointing out that God is not a cold hearted absentee landlord. Jesus certainly wouldn't have supported usury, or trade that would have made the rich richer and the poor poorer.

The hero of the story, when read from the perspective of the poor - is the slave who refuses to take part in the system. It was hard for some in the congregation - but for others, eyes were opened. I cannot of course be sure that I have the interpretation right - but it is great to see 30 odd young people really wrestling with scripture, and considering radical readings perhaps truer to the original meanings. Here is the dramatic reading that I used to illustrate the story:


My name is Jeremiah, and I am terrified. I am about to lose my job, my status – everything. I don’t know how I am going to tell my family and my two small children. But I have my principles and my faith, and I must stick to them.

My boss is a hard man. He owns lots of property south of Tyre – but he does not stay here often – he prefers to live the high life in Rome, partying and sucking up to those who gave him the land in the first place.

Before he left the last time, he gave me and two of his other slaves a task. He wanted us to make even more money for him, his greed is insatiable. He gave his favourite Herod five gold Talents. He went and bought corn fields from the poor farmers in the region. When he had virtually all of the market, he forced the price of bread up and made a killing. Rufus used his two gold bars to by up property on the coast, then began to charge extortionate rents – he soon made two more gold talents worth. This world seems so wrong; those with more seem to get richer, while the poor suffer, what little they have is taken away by the rich with taxes and debt.

I felt uncomfortable with all this – so I buried the damn talent of Gold in the ground. My wife pleaded with me to put it in the bank so it would at least gain interest for my master, but I told her – usury is a sin for us Jews. Moses set up these laws to protect us from money making banks and I will not go against my faith.

But now I hear that my master returns, and he will want a reckoning. This is a man who takes what is not his, who reaps what he has not sown. He kills his enemies. But even though I am afraid of him – my faith is strong. I will stand up to him, whatever the cost.

A full day

From getting the kids to nursery to climbing up the stairs at 11pm, it feels like a full day. Much of it was spent doing difficult things - dealing with the problems managing a group like Bradford Street Angels produces. The work itself, helping those worse for wear on a weekend, is fine. The problems come from holding together such a diverse organisation; from born again Christians to determined Atheists. I am sure though that we should be able to create a models where such diversity can live together. I remember living in the Hive Housing Co-op, where anarchists and devout communists were forced to live side by side for the common good! If it was possible then, it is possible now.

A group of us from Street Angels were interviewed for the T&A local newspaper at lunchtime, I ducked out of the photos. After nearly a year in the limelight, I am really happy for others to gently come to the fore.

The street clean provided a welcome break in the day. I find it really satisfying to help tidy up the street and get to know the neighbours through the process. Others may not see it as mission, but both the street cleaning and the community gardening have brought Ashgrove together that has never happened for 60 years. I know this because elderly neighbours who have lived here for a long time have said so! For me though, to see women from a refuge working alongside Sudanese Asylum Seekers cleaning up the house where a 26 year old man died last week is a remarkable sight. It feels like we are building community. No mean feat in a street of between 400-600 people from every continent and every faith, where nobody knows their neighbour.

Spanish lessons today once again reminded me that I am clinically thick. I really try, but am convinced that there is a part of my brain which is missing - like the part that can help you play the guitar, or do complex science, or make sense of episodes of Lost. I do Spanish not because I will ever be able to speak it, but because I love my wife, and it means something to her that I should at least make an effort. But my Goodness, I hate it, and it makes me feel as stupid as a stupid kid in a special school for stupid kids. Adios, buenos noches por ahora.

Thank God for the Global Exchange!

Our church is very lucky at the moment to be working alongside the Global Exchange project. This means we have two people of placement with us for three months, Zoe, from Middlesborough, and Abednigo, from South Africa.

They have helped me tremendously, from community projects to helping run the Peace Jam workshop at the university. What we have most learned together stems from the subject of 'Ubuntu'. This is an African philosophy which has been witnessed in the life of Desmond Tutu and Mandela, but is a practice that can inform the simplest of actions. It is based on respect for others and that our humanity is bound up in the humanity of others. Through Bradford Street Angels, through our work with Asylum Seekers, through our community gardening projects and all the many things we get involved with here, I hope that we can learn more of what it is to have 'Ubuntu'.

Late night in Bradford, November 2008

Well, it begins. Life is far too short to be sitting in front of a computer, so these musings will be brief and to the point. Today, I started blogging.