Tory Britain and the Catholic church

Well this little story tells us a great deal about how the church will be able to contribute to Cameron's Big Society in practice.
HT: Martin P on facebook

Navigating the internet dating sites

One of my friends recently turned 40 and turned to internet dating in the hope of finding that elusive lifetime partner. She has written up her experience of navigating internet dating. Meanwhile if there are any good single Methodist men out there who would like an introduction, let me know. Here is her contribution to the guest blog.

What did my Dad fight for in North Africa if it wasn't democracy?

The current turmoil in North Africa has brought back to life some familiar words that I heard often as a child but not too often since.

My father had served in the Eighth Army under Montgomery during the North African campaign which ran from 1940 to 1943. The Eighth Army had prevented the Axis from seizing the Suez Canal and then gradually fought back across Libya and into Tunisia. The CWG Commission website has a helpful animation showing the tide of events

When we asked the simple question "What did you do in the war Dad? he told of places with exotic names such as Bengharzi, Tobruk, Tripoli and Tunis. Should we complain about the heat on a hot day he would simply point out that you had to be a soldier in the desert to know what heat was.

Not all his comrades returned. The coast of North Africa has war cemeteries along its length.

What I find difficult is that people in these countries are now demonstrating and fighting for freedom and democracy. As a child I thought the Dad and his mates had already sorted that out.

Searchlight illuminates something unpleasant in our green and pleasant land

People of all faiths in the UK would be well advised to carefully read the reports of a recent Searchlight Magazine poll on British attitudes to race and immigration. With some Methodist congregations being predominantly non-White we need to be aware that we could come under heavy pressure.

The poll suggests that the level of support for far right attitudes to immigration far outstrips that seen in Holland and France. More worryingly, in certain circumstances nearly half the population would consider supporting a political party which was  anti-immigration and committed to challenging Islamist extremism.

Green Party "institutionally anti-Semitic"

A few years ago I was approached by a man in Strasbourg who wanted to talk to me about the Green Party.

He was a Jew and his family had survived the Holocaust. He was convinced that the Green movement then fashionable across Europe could easily become anti-Semitic. His argument was that when Green's embraced "New Age" theology they were heading in the same direction to the self same "Gods" as Hitler and the Nazis.

I could see the logic of the argument but I pointed out that on many issues the Greens in the European Parliament were not that much different from other sections of the left and had a good record of anti-racist activity.

On this blog I have, from time to time, pointed to the authoritarian tendencies of those that support the Green agenda, especially on man made climate change theories about which we must have no doubts, even in our beloved Methodist connexion. Some Methodists have made clear their support for the Green Party

So it was with  interest I read an article by the appropriately named  Toby Green, a Green Party member of some ten years' standing. He has decided not to renew his membership and here's why :

It has become clear that the Green Party is institutionally anti-Semitic. Its institutions have not dealt with clear evidence of antisemitism. They show no evidence of wanting to, and indeed now seem to have decided to target perceived "problem" members of the party who have raised this issue.

What should Christians make of Libya?

A quick flick through the Methodist blogging aggregator this morning shows that in recent days there has been little comment from individual Methodists about events unfolding both in Libya and the broader Arab world.

Quick to condemn Israel the denominational news service has been strangely quiet this last week, limiting its activity to to a very soft story about dinner invitations.

So how should Methodists and other Christians respond to the unfolding crisis in the Arab world?

First, we should at least call for prayer. I am genuinely surprised that no such call has been made. It is indicative of our Methodist world that the only call to prayer on the official Methodist website this morning is one for the people of New Zealand. Absolutely right but the people of Benghazi need our prayers as much as those in Christchurch.

Secondly we should make it clear that we support the development of democracy. This is not always easy. Every country has a different view of what constitutes democracy but the bottom line must always be the rule of law. As Christians we have a particular responsibility to promote democracy. Some cite the ancient Greeks as the originators of democracy. I disagree. The reason we have democracy as a standard feature of western countries is that Protestant sects put into practice, first within their congregations, then within the wider civil society, the basic forms of government outlined in the New Testament.

Western nations did not become democracies overnight. We should be patient and supportive of nations seeking to take the democratic route. We need to offer support as they develop that capacity within their civil societies. It is a dramatic change in mindset especially for institutions such as the judiciary, police and military. As Christians we should be staunch defenders of overseas aid programmes especially those focused on building civil society.

Thirdly, we really must question the rush to sell arms. The sight of a British prime minister rushing round the Middle East with a posse of arms salesmen (knowing the defence industry I'd be surprised if any were women) has been one of the most unappealing features of British public life in the last few weeks. As a country we are very good at making arms. I personally don't have a problem with us having an arms industry. However we should be more discriminating with whom we deal. British armoured personnel carriers are at this moment the transport of choice for Gaddafi's militia. Not a pretty picture.

Fourthly, we need to understand that momentous forces may be gathering. Across Europe we have had four surges of liberal democracy in fifty years: post 1945, during the seventies (Portugal, Spain and Greece) and then the aftermath of 1989. We have seen how difficult the adjustment has been, especially in some of the former Eastern bloc countries. A similar process may be starting in the Arab world. Populist leaders may arise who will want to consolidate their power and prestige. The west's oil supply and Israel may prove to be comparatively cost free causes. How we speak about Israel will be of especial significance. British Methodism in particular should be very wary of becoming further embroiled in the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns which are being funded by governments hostile to Israel.

Finally we should encourage trade that goes beyond the supply of oil and tourism. Alongside the civil society infrastructure we should support the new governments developing local industries. Reports that large numbers of Egyptian, Tunisian and Libyan graduates are unemployed  remind us that oil and tourism revenues are often pocketed by the very rich to be spent on places such as the London property market.

In future negotiations European and US based oil companies should be obliged to insist that part of those revenues are used to develop an industrial and commercial infrastructure. This will benefit all the countries around the Mediterranean basin.Prosperous economies along the north African coast will open up opportunities for trade and may reduce and possibly reverse the migratory pressures from south to north.

Individual Methodists may also question carefully how we spend our tourist pounds. Sometimes tourism can enrich an economy and all the people dependent on it, at other times it can impoverish.

These are just some initial thoughts. I do hope that the Methodist church does formally issue a call for prayer.

Protecting the pasty

Having an entire family which is ethnically Cornish I have taken an interest in the recent decision of the European Commission to give the name  "Cornish" pasty protected status. This means that only pasties made west of the Tamar can be called "Cornish" pasties, though pasties can be prepared in the county and then baked elsewhere.

This hasn't been universally cheered even in Cormwall. Ask anyone from Cornwall the recipe for a pasty and they will give you several answers. No wonder there are now allegations in the county of "pasty fascism".

When we are in the West Country we have found two wonderful pasty makers - in Ridgeway,  Plymton and the cafe at Jennycliff, neither in Cornwall. The latter actually overlooks Plymouth sound and is less that a mile from Cornwall but they will not be able to use the term "Cornish pasty". But that's the point. In Devon and Cornwall no one calls pasties "Cornish pasties". They just call them "pasties".

Meanwhile Greggs the massive chain of bakers shops have a problem. For years they have been selling a product they allege is a "Cornish pasty". They sell 10 million a year.

It takes my mind back some twelve years ago when I made an official visit as part of a European Parliamentary delegation to the vineyards around Barcelona. When Spain joined the EU they were stunned to find that they could not longer market "Spanish Champagne" as it to had protected status, meaning that the word "Champagne" could only be used to describe a sparkling wine coming from the Champagne region of France.

"Spanish Champagne" was always seen as the inferior product, the sort of stuff that was dished out at weddings for the toast. However the Spaniards saw this as an opportunity. They began labeling and marketing their drink as "Cava" - a reference to the caves where the bottled wine is stored during the secondary fermentation. Some producers told me it was the best move they ever made. They were able to create a market for their own top quality product.

So there is hope for pasty manufacturers outside of Cornwall. We may see the emergence of a traditional English or Devonian pasty. Just as in the Caribbean the pasty has been adopted to local tastes.  The pasty has always been a flexible dish and will inevitably change with the times. Has any thought of putting a Mars bar in one?

The Transforming Fire

Yesterday evening I had to pleasure of meeting Jonathan Spyer author of The Transforming Fire - the rise of Israel-Islamist conflict.
 
Jonathan holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and a master's from the School of Oriental and African Studies. He also served in the IDF in the early nineties and saw action in Lebanon during the 2006 war.

His central thesis is that the rise of militant Islam in Iran is responsible for the changing nature of the conflict between Israel and its enemies.

Until recently the conflict was very much seen in terms of solving the issues of who lives where and who recognises whom.  The simplistic approach taken by the authors of a recent Methodist conference report on the issue, reflected this view.

However Jonathan looks at the issue from a geo-political issue and identifies the Iranian leadership's determination to become the regional power as the key driver of current events.

Whilst the attention of the world has been focused on Tunisia, Libya and Egypt it has hardly been noticed that the Iranian sponsored Hezbollah movement has become the government of Lebanon. Meanwhile to the south Gaza is quickly becoming an Islamic republic with the attendant suppression of women and Christians.

Just this morning the Iranians have sent warships into the Suez Canal with the intention that they will sail parallel to the Israeli coast and land in Lebanon. These are very difficult times where there are no easy solutions. Israel clearly will have to be on its guard.

The Iranian leadership is not concerned with a few thousand Palestinians, useful as they are as an excuse. Their ambitions are far bigger, far more sinister and very dangerous.

The grand book sale in Quinton starts today! 10,000 volumes!

The renowned Englesea Brook book sale in the West Midlands starts today and runs until next Saturday, except tomorrow Sunday. There will be 10,000 good quality second hand books on sale.

This is truly an exceptional event and draws in book lovers from all over the region. All proceeds go to support the excellent museum at Englesea Brook in Cheshire.

The museum attracted a rave review in the Guardian last year so you can be assure it is for a good cause commemorating both Methodist and working class history.

The venue is Quinton Methodist Church in Ridgeway Avenue, between Spies Lane and Halesowen Road. It is on the route of the 9, 140, 141, 202 and 636 bus routes and is opposite the Reel Cinema, Quinton. 
The post code is B62 9AU. There is a large (free) car park and the entrance to the sale is off the car park. It is right next to the M5 and equidistant between Junctions 2 and 3.

Opening hours are 10am to 5pm with late opening until 8pm on Thursday 

PS - it would be appreciated if other Methodist and local  bloggers would mention this sale

Miliband with a message for Methodists

Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party gave an interview to Jewish News earlier this week.  He made some important points that Methodists would do well to ponder. 

Labour Friends of Israel take up the story: 

Labour Party Leader says he is as strong a supporter of Israel as Blair and Brown; he opposes boycotts of Israel and is concerned about anti-Israeli protestors using anti-Semitic language

Speaking of his opposition to boycotts of Israel, he said that he disagreed with the recent decision of Tower Hamlets’ Labour Councillors to abstain on a boycott motion, allowing it to pass. On 2 February Tower Hamlets Council voted to “do everything in its power to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against the pariah state of Israel”. The Labour leader also said that he is very concerned by anti-Semitism on university campuses. Praising the work of the Union of Jewish Students he said:

“People make criticisms of governments – the government of Israel – other governments – it’s absolutely acceptable but what we don’t want and what we can’t have is a sense that anti-Semitism is acceptable in any way.” (17/02/11)

Ed Miliband was speaking after protestors at Edinburgh University, on 2 February, forced Israeli diplomat Ishmael Khaldi to abandon an address he was scheduled to give. Members of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign surrounded Khaldi, a Bedouin and Muslim Israeli citizen, and ripped out his microphone whilst chanting “Nazi”, “boycott Israel” and “Viva, Viva Palestina”. Edinburgh Jewish Society President Tim Abraham said that anti-Israeli protestors on campus have “created an environment in which Jewish students feel intimidated... and might even feel the need to hide their identity”. Professor Lorraine Waterhouse, university vice-principal for diversity and equality, said the university disapproved of the demonstrators’ actions.

A very special chippy

My work takes me all over the country and in recent months I have been working in north London. Overnight stays mean that I have to eat out and that can easily cost an arm and a leg for fairly tasteless pub grub.

So when colleagues told me that there was a very special fish and chip shop called Oliver's  in Belsize Park I decided to take a look.

It was a fabulous place to eat. The staff were friendly, the fish was fresh and the chips tasted like chips should. One nice extra little feature is that the fish can be cooked with a matzo coating instead of the normal batter.

I especially enjoyed finishing off one meal with a deep fried Mars bar. It was served with a generous helping of ice cream and tasted superb.

Far be it for a Methodist to offer advice on wine but the house wine has been carefully chosen to go with the food.

One thing I did notice was how clean the place was. This really is a step change for the nation's favourite meal.I soon finish in north London. I shall miss Oliver's.

The Methodist leadership reaches a tipping point

Just occasionally something quite innocuous happens that could be the moment an organisation or people arrive at a tipping point. Just yesteray morning, on one of Methodism's more circumspect official blogs, the Methodist Ecumenical News, a  simple  but significant and very welcome post appeared:

This is an appeal for information.  There is a request from members of the Connexional Team for news of New Ecumenism, that is Methodist Churches working in partnership with new churches.

 
Examples of new churches might include be the Pioneer Networks, independent or house churches and of course Fresh Expressions.  We would also be interested to hear of  partnership working with churches not traditionally involved in ecumenical work, such as the black majority churches. 

In the past I've expressed my concern that "ecumenicism" is too often about representatives of declining mainstream churches running around trying to find another corpse with which to share the coffin of history.

Three years ago there was a very sad article in the Methodist Recorder in which a former General Secretary made an appalling patronising call for Methodists to get to know Pentecostal churches. It wasn't because we may learn something from them about their expressions of faith. It was so that we could learn what Black majority churches were doing about "justice, non-discrimination and social cohesion". Contact would be on Methodist terms and to a Methodist  agenda so that we could "learn" rather than share. We were not interested in white Pentecostals.

Over the years I've heard any number of jealous or dismissive comments about "car boot churches" and other dismissive comments from people surrounded by declining buildings and aging congregations. "Oh we Methodists have been so clever in not having anything to do with these new movements". And of course on the Methodist blogsphere there are no end of Methodist bloggers such as  connexions, 42,  and the like who are always ready to have a pop at our younger "competitors". Just see how they cope with the idea that one expression of Christian worship may be speaking in tongues.

So with this very negative history and generally destructive  background noise, it is encouraging to see that the connexional team are wanting examples of Methodist churches "working in partnership" with new churches suggesting a respect and equality.

It is also interesting to see how wide they are prepared to throw the net; Pioneer networks, house churches (once denounced as cults on the front page of the Methodist Recorder), independent churches, and Black majority churches.

We have actually had some discussions at our church about establishing  local ecumenical partnerships with new churches. These normally arise because the new churches (most of whom in theology are little different from Methodists) want to hire our premises. So far nothing has come of these suggestions but such an arrangement would seem perfectly natural.

But there is something that Methodism can offer other than premises: preacher training and the opportunity to test the call. We have had talks with an independent church along these lines. It is still early days and things have had to be put on hold whilst we sort out our building, but the idea is still there and very much alive.

So congratulations to the connexional team for having the maturity and courage to raise this issue and well done for working on the assumption of  equality. British Methodism has a lot to give these new movements of the Spirit, we also have much to learn.

Trying something different for God

Well our service was little different today. I was planned to preach at my own church. I have felt for sometime that God wanted us to occasionally run services which were different to those we have had over recent years.

After some thought and prayer I dropped a line to a nearby Anglican church (St John's Harborne) that has a reputation for lots of music. I asked if they could spare some musicians. We were delighted when three joined our service this morning. It was especially good to have a time of worship. They played some of the newer choruses by people like Tim Hughes.

The lovely thing was that it actually worked. There were lots of smiles afterwards and a real feeling that the Lord was present. A service can never get better than that.

Methodist shop in trouble over Valentine's display

You won't read this story of everyday life for a London church in the Methodist Recorder but I had to smile when I saw this offering in a local paper. I'll give them 7 out of 10 for trying:

THE eye-catching display may be more suited to Ann Summers than an ecclesiastical charity shop.

But the collection of sexy knickers, basques, stockings and suspenders raised eyebrows when it appeared in the window of the Archway Methodist Church Shop last week. 

Store manager Barry Brundage decided to add a racy edge to his usual secondhand shop merchandise of old books and ornaments. He put the underwear on show to tickle his customers with some tongue-in-cheek humour in the run-up to Valentine’s Day. 

“We are given all sorts of things and we had a lot of lingerie as new,” Mr Brundage said.

“And I just thought that with Valentine’s Day coming up, it might be nice to do a romantic thing. 

“This shop is in a poor location, but we’ve got these amazingly large windows so it’s important for us to utilise them. 

“Another of the reasons we wanted to do this is because we’re near an art college and there are young people everywhere.

“Usually with charity shops you think of little old ladies, but really there should be more to it than that.” 

The shop, named Second Chance, comes under the auspices of Archway Methodist Church and Mr Brundage said he checked with the clergy before putting together his saucy display.

But despite receiving their initial blessing, he has now been forced to take some items down.

Well done Sandwell council!

Our local council has won its legal case against the Eduction Secretary for making arbitrary cuts in  the budget for much needed school improvements. Well done to all concerned. Just because they are Tories we mustn't let them assume that they are above the law.

No news is bad news

Three years ago someone at Methodist Church House had the bright idea of setting up district news pages on the connexional website. In fact our circuit was one of the first to supply a story in 2008. It is a great idea and could enable British Methodism to get beyond the days when circuit preachers pulled Mr Wesley's latest material out of their saddle bags and asked the society stewards to distribute them to the local churches.

Sadly it doesn't seem to have caught on. I suspect it may be something to do with the drop down navigation district by district. I spent a few minutes this evening seeing what was happening in my own and nearby districts. In the end I got a little obsessive and checked out all of our thirty districts.

In every single one of them the message was the same: "There are currently no news items for the selected District".

I looked back at the archive and saw that over nearly three years there were just 34 submitted items. Last year there were  only seven. No district even submits a report from its synod meetings, something they regularly do for the Methodist Recorder where it is not accessible online.

Now there are three conclusions to be drawn from this:

It has failed as a communications channel. Put simply no district is going to bother putting stuff up there because no one reads it.

Districts are using other  social media channels to communicate? I don't think so, I'm not aware that thirty Facebook  or Linkedin pages have been created.

There actually is nothing happening! This is the most terrifying option. So little is actually happening that there is nothing to report. It mean that last year at least 23 districts could simply sum their activities by saying: "There are currently no news items for the selected District".

Is the true story that decline is now so inevitable and so advanced that nothing newsworthy is happening?  I'm not absolutely certain that is the case but I do wonder.

Setting up these pages was a great idea. It hasn't worked, perhaps someone needs to take another look  (possibly with just one local page that could be fed blog style featuring all district news?). But we should not blame the messenger, in this case the channel, perhaps we should look at what this is saying about modern Methodism and our future.

A couple of NIBS

Just catching up. Blogging has been difficult these last few weeks so a few NIBs (news in brief):

The Methodist Church is aspiring to spread the hope of Easter in the form of an inspirational booklet telling the Easter story.

The richly illustrated A Gift of Easter is filled with encouraging words from the Bible, as well as prayers and reflections. It also features popular prints from the Methodist Art Collection.

The booklet is the third in the A Gift Of series. A pack of 50 booklets costs £5 (including postage and packaging). Copies can be ordered from Methodist Publishing on 01733 235962 and online at www.methodistpublishing.org.ukClicks:1 (CTR 50%) .

A free PowerPoint version will soon be available at www.methodist.org.uk/giftClicks:0 (CTR 0%) and on the Twelve Baskets website at www.twelvebaskets.co.uk/Clicks:1 (CTR 50%)

*******

The All Africa Conference of churches says: We welcome and salute the results of the self-determination referendum which was conducted from 9th – 16th January 2011. The results are a clear expression of the will and aspirations of the people of southern Sudan. The interim official results that have been released by the south Sudan Referendum Commission show a 99.57% vote for independence.

My Lord and Saviour

I was sad last night to read a post on another Methodist blog that set out to attack the idea that each one of us can have a personal relationship with God.I was tempted to get involved but don't really want the aggro.

My relationship with God through Jesus has had its ups and downs over the years but I'm well aware of a very personal love that takes me as I am. I'm also aware that God is constantly refining me.

I know that when I pray things do change - rarely in the way that I want but often in the way He wants.

It must be difficult to wear a dog collar, to preach each week, to counsel others, to study theology, to blog about faith, and yet have a great emptiness where that personal relationship should be.

All you have to do is to reach out. God's love is for sinners. If He accepted a terrible sinner like me me, I'm sure He'll accept you.

Second hand book sale

Advance notice - this will be especially useful for facebook friends (like you Martin) who live in  Birmingham and Sandwell. 

There will be a giant booksale at Quintion Methodist Church  onSaturday 19^th February to Saturday 26^th February, every day except Sunday. Opening hours are 10am to 5pm with late opening until 8pm on Thursday. Proceeds in aid of Englesea Brook Museum. This is worth making a special effort to visit.

Let our light shine

Mark gave an excellent message this morning based on the lectionary reading  which included Matthew 5:14-16. So it was it was a wonderful "coincidence" that our giant led illuminated cross arrived from the Leprosy Mission earlier this week. It is now in the front window of the church and will be illuminated 24/7. We've got another larger one for inside the main church hall that will also be visible from the street.

We notice that as we make our way round Birmingham temples and mosques have a light on all the time. Churches, especially Methodist churches, are in darkness. For some time we've been thinking of how we can remedy this at our church  in an inexpensive way. The low cost led cross seemed to offer a solution. It looks good in the day, I'm looking forward to seeing it later today in the dark.

Not in our name

It is not unusual for bodies such as local councils and the European Parliament to receive honoured guests.  On several occasions as both a councillor and European parliamentarian I have politely heard what these guests say and then joined the standing ovation. On one occasion there was one guest for whom I thought the honour was inappropriate so I simply stayed away.

Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher from the Birmingham suburb of Solihull is someone that I would happily stand and applaud either in a council chamber or the European Parliament.

There have been wars with which I have profoundly disagreed, such as Iraq. I have serious misgivings about the war in Afghanistan  My own grandfather fought in Russia in 1919. However much I disagree with the political basis of those wars I would show respect to those that have fought.

Last year Lance Corporal Croucher was awarded the George Cross. The official citation reads:

"As the team moved silently through the still darkened compound, Lance Corporal Croucher felt a wire go tight against his legs, just below knee height. This was a trip-wire connected to a grenade booby-trap, positioned to kill or maim intruders in the compound. He heard the fly-off lever eject and the grenade, now armed, fell onto the ground immediately beside him.

"Instantly realising what had occurred, Lance Corporal Croucher made a crucial and incredibly rapid assessment of the situation. With extraordinary clarity of thought and remarkable composure, he shouted 'Grenade', then 'Tripwire' in an attempt to warn his comrades to find cover before the grenade exploded. It was clear to him that given the lack of cover in the immediate vicinity, he and the other team members were in extreme danger.

"Due to low light levels, he was unable to determine the type of grenade and therefore had no way of knowing how long the device's fuse would take to function. With his comrades totally exposed and time running out, Lance Corporal Croucher made the decision not to seek cover or protection for himself, but to attempt to shield the other members of his team from the impending explosion.

Sadly my admiration for men and women like Lance Corporal Croucher is not shared by others.

I was sorry to see that when Matthew Croucher visited the City council. two members of the Respect Party who are members of Birmingham City Council chose not to join the standing ovation  That is their decision.

Other members of Birmingham City Council, which includes an amazing range of councillors from every ethnic background and creed, stood and expressed their appreciation and admiration for Lance Corporal Croucher.

It was not an "inter faith" communal matter. It was not a question that members of a particular faith group acted in a particular way and a different faith group in another. Matthew Croucher was applauded by councillors who happened to be Sihk, Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, atheists,agnostics and whatever.

Into this rather sad complex and emotional situation steps   the "Interfaith Enabler of the Birmingham District of The Methodist Church", the Reverend Ray Gaston. Off his own bat he has written to the local evening paper saying "I for one respect and applaud them for remaining in their seats."

Gaston is entirely within his rights to pen a letter to the local newspaper, even if it demonstrates a profound ignorance of the composition of Birmingham City Council. What he can't do is to purport to represent the position of the Methodist Church on this or any other matter. By signing his letter in his capacity as "intefaith enabler" he clearly compromised the position of us, his employers.

When I put these points to Ray Gaston his response was  "signing as Inter faith enabler is not claiming to speak on behalf of the  Methodist Church merely showing that I am a person with experience in interfaith  relations that are affected by these matters."

I doubt if that is the case. Someone with "experience" would have been much more measured and appreciated the diversity of those who applauded Mathew Croucher and the reasons why they did. Perhaps "experience" would also teach Ray Gaston that not all members of the Methodist Church in Birmingham would want to be associated with his ill chosen intervention.

Please Ray. Remember that you and I are hardly fit to lick the boots of the Mathew Crouchers of this world. Also remember that people like me pay your wages. On the basis of this intervention I would question whether your work is a justiable use of our increasingly scarce district resources.

If you want to support the antics of Respect councillors, do so in your own time and at your own expense.

Meanwhile, please, not in our name.

Getting a good omelette in Cambridge

Before I forget! I was in Cambridge on Friday. I went into town for a walk between meetings and called into the extra-special Fare Shares Cafe  run at Emmanuel United Reform Church on Trumpington Street. Its a great place to eat and got some very special people working there. I had a brilliant cheese and ham omelette - almost worth making a special visit to Cambridge!

Lost in translation

My goodness I got excited when I cybered up to the cloistered walls of Durham University to see what Peter Philips had to say on his Post Modern Bible blog. Apparently 10 Anglican Bishops have come out in favour of AV. Wow! Anglicans embracing the authorised  version! I thought the commemorations to mark the original 1611 publication had come a long way.

Then I got to the third paragraph and realised Peter was writing about the alternative vote proposals now before the House of Lords. But why should that be of interest to Bishops? Because the Church of England is able to nominate 26 Bishops to this second house of parliament.

Now some of my best friends are Anglicans, one of the finest members of the Lords I knew was a bishop. But what on earth are we doing having a legislature that automatically includes 26 bishops from England? And what are they doing pronouncing on a voting system for the House of Commons? Anglican clergy don't vote!

The sooner we reform the Lords the better.

Mubarak sets up shop in Birmingham

I suppose this could be a world exclusive (spotted by my youngest son) but I have my doubts. Just round the corner from our church on Dudley Road we boast a Mubarak Internet  Cafe. Incidentally I'm wondering if the name Mubarak has any relationship to the Hebrew word Barakh that we discussed earlier this week?

Will Mubarak be gone by the end of the week?

The events in Egypt are extraordinary. It would be wonderful were Egypt to become a democratic society like its neighbour Israel. That way there will be an incentive for peace.

My best guess is that there is now such a momentum that Mubarak must be fearing the aftermath of prayers on Friday. It would be best to go sooner, rather than later.

One section of Egyptian society which may be concerned by the fall of Mubarak would be the 8,000,000 Christian minority. We need to keep them in our prayers in coming weeks.

Not the way to blog ladies and gentlemen

One of the advantages of being busy is that the temptation to get involved in comment threads on various blogs, even this one, is tempered by the fact that I often have better things to do.

I cannot begin to say how disappointed I am by an awful series of comments that have appeared on two Methodist Minister's blogsites web. It began when PamBG posted on the gender of God . Richard at Connexions picked the post up.

There then began an ill tempered debate that between to two blogs generated over 100 comments. Many of the comments were thoroughly unpleasant and at one point resorted to four letter words, albeit written as ****.
Most of the participants were ordained clergy and the tone of the discussion would do nothing to encourage a non-believer to take the Gospel seriously. It really does bring the church into disrepute.

PamBG's central thesis seems to be that we have the freedom to create God in our own image. Frankly if God is  made in the image of people who behave like this....I'm off to the humanists. But this is nothing new, humankind has been trying to make God in our image almost since we were created. That way we own God, that way we are in control and not God.

Thank God that whilst we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), God isn't made in our image. Let us respect our creator and be grateful for the gift of Jesus Christ who died that we may be reconciled. Meanwhile let us lay off the personal abuse. It isn't honouring.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus

There aren't many people who can say that they once represented England's only Welsh speaking area in the European Parliament. So today a special message for Welsh people everywhere, especially those here in Lloegr.