Message from the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (PaCET) for Sunday Meeting 25th August 2024

Dear Friends,

There was an ocean of darkness and death.

In the last few weeks we have seen a murderous attack on children at a dance studio, reckless propagation of untruths, racism, Islamophobia and rioting.

There was also an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness.

There were large peaceful demonstrations proclaiming that people of all races, nationalities and religions were valued as members of our communities.

An imam heard that his mosque was on a list of targets. He bought burgers, chips and soft drinks. He said, “We continued smiling and we continued giving off positive energy and then eventually some of them started to take the food, and then we started talking.” He managed to speak to right wing activists who shared their stories and concerns. They later hugged and exchanged numbers. He took one inside to discuss his faith, which ended up being a “really beautiful interaction.”

People came out to clear the streets and to repair some of the damage.

The owner of a looted shop found a crowd of neighbours, some of whom he’d never spoken to, making repairs and clearing up broken glass. The owner of a nearby beauty salon set up a crowdfunding campaign which raised more than £14,000 towards repairs. A local builder replaced his windows for free. One of his suppliers turned up with a cabinet of ice cream, and a few days later he re-opened the shop. He said, “It’s not about the money people gave me. It was the messages, the cards, the flowers. That support from strangers is unbelievable.”

Are you alert to practices here and throughout the world which discriminate against people on the basis of who or what they are or because of their beliefs? Bear witness to the humanity of all people, including those who break society’s conventions or its laws. Try to discern new growing points in social and economic life. Seek to understand the causes of injustice, social unrest and fear. Are you working to bring about a just and compassionate society which allows everyone to develop their capacities and fosters the desire to serve?

Advices and Queries 33.

David

on behalf of the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (David Hitchin, Chris Lawson, Tim Pitt-Payne, Caroline Pybus, Theresa Samms and Nancy Wall)