LETTUCE

Googlesite for Not for Sale Sunday resources

2009-04-18T04:35:00.000-07:00

http://sites.google.com/site/notforsalesunday/

Here is a site to help people prepare for Not for Sale Sunday on 17th May 2009.
It has ideas for prayers, displays, liturgies, litanies, and more.

The aim of Not For Sale Sunday is to raise awareness among the churches of the modern slavery of trafficking for sexual exploitation also known as sex trafficking.

It is organised by CHASTE a charity with the following aims:

firstly, awareness raising about human trafficking for sexual exploitation including education projects;

secondly, caring for survivors and encouraging the provision of safe housing;

thirdly, addressing the demand for commercial sex that drives sex trafficking; and

fourthly, encouraging legislative change to prevent trafficking and protect victims and survivors.

Churches and Christians can make a difference by praying, giving, and becoming active in lobbying, and petitioning. Sites of exploitation are present across Britian, Europe and the world.

Keep a watch on your locality and if you see strange patterns of movements into a house or place of business make it known to the police by calling a station - do not phone the emergnecy services unless you are reporting a crime that you can see occuring.

What to watch out for:
Let me give an example of how one brothel was raided into which women had been trafficked.

A woman in Lichfield was watching a house in her street because of unusual late night movements - lots of different cars calling at all times of the day including very late at night.

She saw a woman being dragged out of the house by some men who were acting violently. She looked up at a man who was looking down at her frm a first floor window and spat on the pavement. She was bundled into the car and driven off.

She reported this incident to the police and the brothel was raided.

In a case like this it would be good to get the registration number of the car and call 999 as there was concern for the immediate safety of the young woman.

I hope you find the site useful. There is more about CHASTE at www.chaste.org.uk

Living in love and living in God

2009-01-16T05:03:00.000-08:00

Responding to a comment left ages oago on this underused blog I found and enjoyed this:

A Student asked Baba Farid if singing was lawful and proper. He replied that, according to Islam, it was certainly unlawful, but its propriety was still a matter of discussion. Nizam-ud-Dauliya told Nasir-ud-din, a disciple of his, that one day when he went to visit Baba Farid he stood at his door, and saw him dancing as he sang the following :

I wish ever to live in Thy love, O God
If I become the dust under Thy feet, I shall live
I thy slave desire none but Thee in both worlds;
For Thee I will live and for Thee I will die.

at
http://dhakkisahib.com/pages.cfm?p_id=28

It reminds me of something Colin Chapman taught me. He said that we need to appreciate the best of another religion and not look to compare the best of our own faith with the worst of another. (or vice versa)

Visiting India I found in a number of places poems, ideas and personal testmonies that were almost word for word echoes of my own poems of my experienc of Christ and of God in worship.

I guess if I explored all the ideas of Baba Farid I would find plenty of points on which we did not concur, but the above passage in traditional religious language expresses something I can affirm with joy.

Current events in the world - Gaza, credit crunch etc - make it seem ever clearer that we face a challenge to re-create our global-social world in a way that differs from the one crerated by nationalism, unhealthy competition, greed, fear and violence.

The challenge is there to us all but inparticular to those who are active in living out their religious beliefs to create a sustainable and just world. An age old challenge but the consequences of failing to attempt it let alone failing to achieve it grow greater with every passing year.

The old ways of competition have succeeded in giving us so much but now we are so many the cost of that success is too high.

How can the a simple Christian faith lived out at a level of ordinary citizenship be a contribution to such a new world. What are the consequences for Christian belief? How might the Church be called to the Cross is such an era?

Anne and I have been speaking recently about the New Testament passage about knowng God and living in God and living in love for others.

It adds a new dimension to the Baba Farid song.

I wish ever to live in your love, O God
If I become the dust under Your feet, I shall love
I your slave desire none but You in both worlds;
For You I will live and love those around me as you live and love in me
and in and for this
and in and for You
and with you in and for us
I will die and live.

misnomi-url? a new word?

2008-03-15T19:26:00.000-07:00

Misnomi-url: n. - Url that appears to be misnamed as shown by the content located there, or the lack of it.

e.g.
http://dynamicprayer.org/news/default.htm

which has not had a new posting since April 2006 i.e. for nearly two years, now.
:-)

er actually a bit like this blog
oops.

totally excellent service this morning

2006-12-24T07:57:00.000-08:00

Our Sunday morning service at PnB was . . .
. . . a great success! A great idea from Clive to do a giant advent calendar with the readings and symbols of the Christmas story emerging little by little. Three shepherds wearing sunglasses to ward off the dazzling light of the angelic host was a highlight for me . . . as Anne was one of the people who went up to open a giant cardborad box with a number 18 on it and in it was a groovy ( not!) pair of sunglasses to wear.

The whole service was great fun with several 'stomping' carols led by the music group. The wooden floor of the Scout Hut in which we meet is great for such stomping hymns, songs and carols.

I have a copy of Joseph bin David's tax notice - as produced by Clive. Will hopefully be able to scan it in later.

I was sorry I did not get new batteries for Anne's camera so as to be able to show you an image of the whole thing.

PaulandBarny J Team Traffik Stop

2006-12-15T05:16:00.000-08:00

Above are only a few of the group: Dan, Karen, Anita Matthews from CMS and Colin

A number of us a PaulandBarny's Church were shocked by the imprisonment of young girls from eastern Europe in a local 'massage parlour' brothel where they were forced into the sex trade. The gang running the operation are now serving long gaol terms.
Ways to stop this abuse is to create awareness of the problem and begin to break the trafficking of people.

The youth group at P&B wanted to do something to raise awareness and they are creating three events.
Free For All on 6th January 2007 with CMS and BigInTent drama, music and story
Performance art in March
Visual art exhibition later int he year in Birmingham city centre

the story and account is at
http://traffikstop.blogspot.com/2006/12/nov-29th-meeting.html

http://traffikstop.blogspot.com/

2006-11-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

There is to be a concert in Durham this Thursday evening 30th November, 2006 in aid of CMS co-missioner work in Russia. Part of this work is a feeding and support programme for children. I hope this photo piques your interest.
If you would like to know more and/or can attend then do give me a call on 0785 907 4343.

Advent

2006-11-27T07:44:00.000-08:00

I am beginning to think about Advent. As will be clear from the other posts hereabouts.

God desires the spirit he has put within us . . . that could be hard to hear . . . but he offers us love and in gentleness he desires our time, our very selves, our love. But like the coming of the Christ his advent is gentle.

Serenity

2006-11-27T07:22:00.000-08:00

Serenity does not beckon
it is its own invitation
its own party
it provides the food and drink
it is not worried about entertainment
it is content however many come or none
it requires no rooms no notice
and there is no chucking out time
the neighbours may be disturbed
but not in the usual way
and the refuse disposal folk
need not fret or labour
to carry the detritus away
Serenity, its own joke,
its own laughter,
does not beckon
it remains its own
invitation

(c) Colin Darling 26.011.2006

Alternate lines by anne and me

2006-11-27T07:13:00.000-08:00

I see in darkness
All that I am and not
sometimes the candle, sometimes the pot
blackened by soot and shadows cast
an oil-full lamp lights long, ends black

(c) Colin & Anne Darling 26th November 2006

Strange obliteration brings life

2006-11-27T07:10:00.000-08:00

God's love
strange obliteration
reveals all
dawn of glory
dawn of stillness
dawn of being
dawn of prayer

(c) Colin Darling 26th November 2006

Lord grant

2006-11-27T07:05:00.000-08:00

Lord God
bread of life

grant
a gift of humility
a darkening
your holy silence
abandonment

that each,
knowing and unknowing
the jealousy of your yearning

and that each,
famished and content
may devour you
in the holy desire of prayer

(c) Colin Darling 26th November 2006

James 4 v 5

2006-11-27T06:38:00.000-08:00

Or do you suppose it is for nothing that the scripture says; "God yearns jealously for the spirit he has made to dwell in us?"

well this was a verse that was in a set reading just before the Advent retreat. Blew me over. Not just God loves us (tolerates us and just about manages to accept us in spite of everything).

But yearns jealously for the spirit he has made live within us.

It is important that we have some prayer time which is not dutifully or however enthusiastically remembering needful things and people. It is esential that we allow God to love us in our spirit and to respond to him with our love. Maybe this starts with just allowing a silence in which we are not using God for anything. In this space adoration can begin. This love thrives both ways. (it amazes me that i can write stuff like this - the nerve of the man!. . . . Lord Jesus Christ, precious Son of God, beautiful Saviour, have mercy on me a sinner!)

"Let there be Dark for us to contemplate"

2006-11-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

Anne and I went to the excellent Offa House, at Offchurch, near Leamington Spa for an Advent retreat. Nicola Slee led it. Nicola is a poet and theologian and author of "Praying Like a Woman" (2004) ISBN: 0281055998

The title of the retreat came from a poem by another woman. Basically the themes were like my meditation last week. How can we find the darkness of God in which his gentle light shines. This may mean moving quietly away from a focus on our own strength, our own theology, our own prayers, our own activity and into the kind of unknowing that is meantioned in the authors of the classic Christian texts on cotemplative prayer. John of the Cross, the author of "The Cloud of Unkowing", Therese, Teresa, Mother Julian, and so on.

Anne created a wreath of seasons, and I made a dark sun in gouache. We also took the risk of writing a poem where each of us wrote a line. It may well not be a classic but we enjoyed doing it.

The weekend was liberating for us both. I did not have to achieve anything or learn anything and Anne was able to do a different thing and just enjoy it, to stand out from the crowd and feel OK.

Darkness

2006-11-27T06:19:00.000-08:00

Two Sundays ago I went to Gosforth to preach. I left early in the morning to be there comfortably for 09.00h. This meant I was on the road soon after 05.00h and saw a massive, tumbling column of flame high in the sky above Nottingham. It was not like a shooting star more like a fireball of flame travelling northwards high in the sky.

There is a good graphic of this at
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/blobrana/news/leonids.html

I later heard an astronomer on BBC Radio 5 talking about this. He pointed out that when you get away into areas with little artifical light you can see hundreds of these trails as the comet dust trail hits our atmosphere and the whole effect can be quite beautiful and moving, apparently.

There was a connection with what I was going to say at All Saints, Gosforth. It is sometimes only in the darkness of our weakness or when we are able to remove away from the bright lights of westernism that we are in a place where the subtle beauties of God can be seen. The kingdom of God may be easier for a little person to see that a giant intellect. I little child may see it when the wise and degree laden struggle.

People complain that they cannot see God. Perhaps a little more silence might help us to see. Some of us affirm that in gentleness, simplicity, darkness, weakness and in the little faith of mustard-seed nature there is a different kind of sight, and God is there.

2005-08-08T19:01:00.000-07:00

Whit One 21/06/96

Christ became whit small
died on a whit of wood

God impaled on a splinter dies?
Quick-sensitive the heart of God replies

When it was time
no lick came
to ease him

spittered with mouth-oil
that eased the easy words
of recognition
he,
unstained,
stained ill

he,
appraised by sick justice
promoted by uncourted selection,
and elevated,
will wholly loft us

beyond staining

he,
exposed
hoisted on bleak, wooden hearts
exposes bark and grain

yet he,
arms wide, drift gathers,
loves us more than we would

Loving and being loved
till love day come.

(C) Colin Darling

Kabir

2005-08-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

I became fascinated by Kabir on a trip to India
where I read about him in a book called
"Doing Theology through the Poetic Traditions of India"

In one of his sayings he says "If you follow me I'll come and burn your house down"
or something like that . . . kind of like somewhow the "Billy Connolly Mystic Way"

Here is an example of his mystic poems - it reminds me of Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well (Gospel of John chapter 4) . . .

Where do you search me?
I am with you
Not in pilgrimage, nor in icons
Neither in solitudes
Not in temples, nor in mosques
Neither in Kaba nor in Kailash
I am with you o man
I am with you
Not in prayers, nor in meditation
Neither in fasting
Not in yogic exercises
Neither in renunciation
Neither in the vital force nor in the body
Not even in the ethereal space
Neither in the womb of Nature
Not in the breath of the breath
Seek earnestly and discover
In but a moment of search
Says Kabir, Listen with care
Where your faith is, I am there.

Moko Kahan Dhundhere Bande
Mein To Tere Paas Mein
Na Teerath Mein, Na Moorat Mein
Na Ekant Niwas Mein
Na Mandir Mein, Na Masjid Mein
Na Kabe Kailas Mein
Mein To Tere Paas Mein Bande
Mein To Tere Paas Mein
Na Mein Jap Mein, Na Mein Tap Mein
Na Mein Barat Upaas Mein
Na Mein Kiriya Karm Mein Rehta
Nahin Jog Sanyas Mein
Nahin Pran Mein Nahin Pind Mein
Na Brahmand Akas Mein
Na Mein Prakuti Prawar Gufa Mein
Nahin Swasan Ki Swans Mein
Khoji Hoye Turat Mil Jaoon
Ik Pal Ki Talas Mein
Kahet Kabir Suno Bhai Sadho
Mein To Hun Viswas Mein

Balanced attention?

2005-08-03T18:39:00.000-07:00

It seems to me natural and right that we should all be seeking to understand Islam and paying particular attention to the needs of the vast majority of peaceful Muslims in the UK and also that we are seeking to understand how we have been visited by violent extremism.

But I decided to pay a visit to places of worship of each of the various main religions of India - including Islam. I was not able to visit a Sikh Gurdwara owing to the delays of traffic that ensued from the storm/whirlwind/tonado but I shall be doing so soon. As well as the recent mosque-visit on the day of the Sparkhill "Tornado" I paid a visit to a Hindu Temple where I was welcomed and shown round with generous patience while many questions were answered. Actually I had visited this temple some years ago and it was encouraging to see how my understanding tho still thin has moved on.

The challenge to understand Islam is one I took up many years ago and it seems right to try to balance that with an exploration of, in particular, Hinduism and Sikhism.

People power and land themes

2005-08-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

http://www.crosslinks.org/what/reallife/glaser_dangerous_triangle.pdf

ends with this interesting quote:

"Many of our European countries have a ‘Christian heritage’, and a history in which some form of Christianity has been used to strengthen the political powers in our lands. The growing Islamic presence highlights for us a challenge of which might otherwise have remained blissfully unaware. Are we trying to use Christianity to bolster the power of our own people in our own place? Or do we live as witnesses bringing the heavenly dimension to bear at every point of the earthly kingdoms?
If we want to do the latter, we need first to understand the power-people-land dimensions of ourselves, our societies, and our Muslim neighbours. We may then be able to discern how to interact with them without trying to take power into our own hands, for the sake of our own people, and without falling into the false belief that we own the land."

Ida Glaser has also written interestingly in Christianity & Renewal August Issue
http://www.christianitymagazine.co.uk/
about the "House of Treaty" and the "House of War" in Islam
Useful background to current affairs.

theme tune

2005-08-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

went to visit a mosque recently
partly as a hopefully positive response to recent tensions
seek to build positive bridges and all that
and partly as a work opportunity I had to take someone on induction and the two possibilities collided.

anyways chatting with our host who was a friend of a colleague who arranged this particular visit

and as we talked about the dangers of extremism and generally shook our heads
his mobile phone rang

the ring tone was the James Bond theme
;-)

Lettuce fight bullying

2005-08-03T17:50:00.000-07:00

I found this recently and I hope U of A don't mind me reprinting it here.
I like it cos it goes further than just defining bullying.
It paints a wider picture of shared rights and responsibilities.

I saved it to my desktop as "Now this is where I'd like to work"

It seems to me that many bullies are oblivious of how their behaviour is perceived.

We could all help create a more just workplace environment for leaders and led by focussing on and communicating the kind of workplace we'd like to work in.

_________________________________________

A Respectful Workplace Environment

The University of Auckland is committed to creating and maintaining harassment free workplaces that uphold a safe and respectful work environment as a priority. Under it’s definition of harassment the University includes:

Unwanted behaviour including comments, conduct or gestures that are insulting, intimidating, humiliating, hurtful, malicious, or otherwise offensive to an individual or group of individuals. Behaviour which creates an uncomfortable environment, or which might reasonably be expected to cause embarrassment, insecurity, discomfort, offence, or humiliation to another person or group."

Expectations of staff

Staff are expected to:

* Carry out official duties with skill, care and diligence, using authority fairly;
* perform their duties professionally, and not physically assault or insult, threaten or malign another University colleague, or behave in such a way that brings the University into disrepute;
* observe relevant University policies and procedures, and
* treat students, colleagues and members of the public with courtesy and with respect for their rights, duties and aspirations.

Now, this is where I'd like to work!

* There are many positive factors that contribute to making a productive and effective workplace. Some of these include where staff are:
* valued for their particular contribution;
* provided with the opportunity to receive training to develop their skills and familiarity with the workplace;
* respected for their individual differences;
* disciplined for unacceptable behaviour, using well-publicised policies and procedure about expectations of staff;
* taken seriously when they have a grievance;
* assigned manageable tasks within their capabilities;
* provided with productive feedback on their work;
* provided with clear instructions/goals/expectations for each task;
* provided with orientation activities, performance appraisals and clear work plans.

What is workplace bullying?

Workplace bullying is unwelcome and unreasonable behaviour. It creates a hostile, uncomfortable or offensive work atmosphere for those who are target/s of the bullying. It may be an isolated incident, but is more often persistent, occurring over a period of time.

Workplace bullying behaviour demeans and humiliates employees, either as individuals or as a group. It may also include behaviour that intimidates, offends, criticises or degrades a person, possibly in the presence of colleagues, students or clients.

Respectful workplace

The essence of most bullying is the misuse of relative/ or assumed power, for example, from a person's length of employment, seniority, authority, control of resources, or social influence. However, bullying can occur between peers or colleagues, and in the reverse direction to that commonly assumed, for example women to men. All types of bullying are equally inappropriate within the University.

Some examples of bullying behaviour:

* verbal communication, such as:
* abusive and offensive language;
* insults;
* teasing;
* spreading rumours;
* constant criticism or trivialising of achievements.

* manipulating the work environment, such as:
* isolating workers from normal interaction;
* micromanaging or excessive supervision of employee;
* intentional under utilisation of employee;
* setting impossible deadlines;

* psychological manipulation, such as:
* unfairly blaming someone for mistakes/delays;
* setting someone up for failure;
* deliberate exclusion;
* making practical jokes;
* allocating humiliating and demeaning tasks;
* belittling or disregarding opinions or suggestion;
* chastising in front of colleagues.

Some examples of bullying behaviour:

* verbal communication, such as:
* abusive and offensive language;
* insults;
* teasing;
* spreading rumours;
* constant criticism or trivialising of achievements.

* manipulating the work environment, such as:
* isolating workers from normal interaction;
* micromanaging or excessive supervision of employee;
* intentional under utilisation of employee;
* setting impossible deadlines;

* psychological manipulation, such as:
* unfairly blaming someone for mistakes/delays;
* setting someone up for failure;
* deliberate exclusion;
* making practical jokes;
* allocating humiliating and demeaning tasks;
* belittling or disregarding opinions or suggestion;
* chastising in front of colleagues.

What can be done about it?

Personal resolution:

* If you are being bullied it may be sufficient to make it clear to the individual/s that the behaviour is not welcome, that it offends you or makes you uncomfortable, and that it interferes with your work.
* If you are a witness to bullying behaviour, you can approach those perpetrating the bullying behaviour and tell them that you disapprove of the behaviour and request that it stops;
* Keep a record of the times, dates, places and witnesses. Do not write down anything that is irrelevant or could be considered malicious. Any record should be kept confidential.

If it doesn't stop TELL SOMEONE NOW!

Chiefly your Head of Department or Supervisor/Manager. It is their responsibility to ensure that the bullying is stopped and that your concerns are investigated. You can also contact the Resolve Network, or the Mediator if you would like further confidential information and/or advice.

It is important that you report your concerns to your Head of Department or Supervisor/Manager as soon as possible, don't wait and hope it stops. The Manager does not require a written complaint in order to act. Your complain will remain confidential, only known to those involved in the investigation (ie. usually only the Manager and alleged bully). You should have no fears of reprisals as a consequence of reporting your concerns.

Remember - there are procedures and people to HELP YOU if you are bullied or you are a witness to bullying.

For further information/assistance in relation to bullying in your workplace, please contact the Resolve Network or the Mediator.

_____________________________________________________

Cheapened Gospel ??

2005-07-05T09:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.cms-uk.org/news/2005/dino_29_06_2005.htm

This article illustrates the ideas I have been thinking about for some time.
It is important to be concerned about power and how power is used.
"No Context no meaning" to paraphrase Bateson . . . and if the power context denies or contradicts the message better to shut up.

Here is a quote:
"Cheapened Gospel
How best to aid tsunami victims? [Photo:Gaikwad/CMS]

by Jane Lee

In the third of her exclusive reports from the South Asia Christian Youth Conference, Jane Lee hears reports on the disgust of tsunami victims at attempts to use international aid to evangelise

He had only just landed at the Andaman, bringing with him relief supplies for the tsunami-stricken victims. A man strode up to him, shook his hand, gave him a tract and said, “Jesus is the answer.”

That encounter left Rev Dino Touthang in disgust.

“The context was so inappropriate and I felt that the gospel was being cheapened in that kind of presentation,” said the general director of the Evangelical Fellowship of India Commission on Relief (Eficor).

In fact, when he took some church members to Gujarat in response to the devastating earthquake in 2001, he specifically instructed them that there was to be no tract distribution, no preaching. They can pray – silently. You are here to serve the people, so go and distribute the food, he told them.

One team member berated Rev Touthang indignantly: “Now is the time to share the gospel of Christ and you’re not allowing me to do that!”

His retort: “When you’re in a relief situation, you do the relief well. I’m allowing you to share the gospel – through your life.”

Rev Touthang is strongly against the use of relief as a means of converting people.

“How ethical is it to use the need of a person to push in the gospel? Just because they receive the food from you, do they have to listen to you?”"

______________________________

Welcome to Lettuce!

2005-07-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

A Lettuce
. . . is a pretty unthreatening sort of a thing.
If you eat a lettuce it is rarely the main thing on your plate.
Arguably a salad is enhanced by some, or a chicken salad sandwich.
Some forms of chinese food are served on a lettuce leaf.

If a lettuce had an ego surely it would not be very big.

Lettuce seem to exist to glorify other foods!

The sweetest lettuce leaves are in the centre of the lettuce and sometimes the ones on the outside have to be thrown away cos they have protected the inner leaves by taking all the damage.

A daft metaphor for church then, but it just fascinates me.

Paul wrote about us a clay pots that 'contain' treasure . . . and that seems to be the same sort of idea as a lettuce leaf containing some more tasty food.

Jesus spoke about his followers going out as lambs among wolves and a lettuce is not a lamb but the idea fascainates me and that's it for now.

Go out as lettuce among vegans?
Go out as lettuce among slugs?
Go out as lettuce in the desert?
Go out and don't be the main thing!
Go out and allow yourself to be used?

Christ is himself the Way.