‘Set all free.’ This might be the phrase by which 2007 is remembered in years to come. The slogan is drawn from the work of those people who worked over two hundred years ago to work for the abolition of the slave trade, which worked a triangle between Europe and Africa and the Americas/Caribbean. A trade on which Europe prospered while Africa was robbed of its rich heritage of peoples. Not a proud moment in European history.
In 2007 we will listen to this story. You might like to join the Commemoration of the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave trade Act on Sunday 25th March in the Bethel Convention Centre, Kelvin Way, West Bromwich at 6pm. Ticket are available. The Council of Black Led Churches of Birmingham will lead us. I think there is a major walk in London on the 24th too. You may want to read a book. I am. I am sure that a visit to any good bookshop will yield you a choice. I choose ‘Abolition.’ The struggle to abolish slavery in the British Colonies by Richard S Reddie and am being challenged by it.
Now during Lent I find myself going to Bromsgrove on Tuesday evening to lead an ecumenical Bible Study. Some months ago I choose the theme to be around healing, from some good work the Methodist Relief and Development Fund produce a few years ago, ‘We shall be healed.’ Since then at least two other sets of studies have landed on my desk. BibleLands has produced ‘Valuing everyone in God’s Community’, and the York Courses, ‘Can we build a better world?’ I wonder what other story sharing will go on during the journey to Easter which will inform and shape our response to ‘Set all free’.
On Ash Wednesday I offered these words, a song, a prayer and a reflection as a book mark for Lent. I offer them to you too.
1 Oh where are you going,
and can I come with you,
and what is your method
for keeping alive:
no pack or possessions,
no clothing or shelter,
no food to sustain you -
how can you survive?
2 Oh where are you going,
and can I come with you,
and why is your company
never the same?
You sit among beggars,
you argue with bankers,
debate with the lawyers
and walk with the lame.
3 Oh, where are you going,
and can I come with you,
and what can you show
for your talents or time -
no profit from trading,
no thing of your making,
no mark or memento,
no picture or rhyme?
4 Oh, where are you going,
and can I come with you,
and what is the secret
towards which you strive?
What hidden inspirer,
what unseen admirer,
what dream is the substance
upon which you thrive?
5 I'm going on a journey
and welcome companions,
but don't ask me
how we'll survive, where we'll go,
or who will come with us,
or what we'll be doing.
Just join me in travelling
and learn all I know.
John L Bell (born 1949)
and Graham Maule (born 1958)
© 1987 WGRG, Iona Community
Come Lord,
change our lives,
shatter our complacency.
Take away the quietness of a clear conscience.
Press us uncomfortably,
for only thus that other peace is made,
your peace.
Amen.
Helder Camara
Are the longing of our hearts
so strange,
so misguided,
so out of touch with our times?
We who companion the forgotten:
who seek the healing of nations:
who cry for justice:
who struggle for peace:
who envision a different world.
Are we mad
to speak of hope
as thousands die
in the flames of violence?
Be still, my friend
and celebrate your sanity!
Keep that path
where the Spirit befriends us,
for millions walk with us
and share our dreams.
And millions more
find their hope
and courage to go on,
when we
live out
these deep and precious
longings
of our hearts
which come from God.
Peter Millar.
Sorry this is late being posted. Hope it was worth waiting for.
Yours in love,
Bill Anderson
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