benbell

Greenbelt

Back from 'the belt'. Had a great time. I love the festival for so many reasons, not least the opportunity to get some 'out of the box' input. I particularly enjoyed Kester Brewin and Maggi Dawn's sessions and have now downloaded them to ponder and reflect some more. Maggi won the prize for 'most random piece of information communicated' when she told us that a pink candle can be used on the third sunday of advent. Why? well obviousley it's because, centuries ago, the Pope gave a pink rose to a nun ...... during lent!

It was great to catch up with so many friends and dance late into the night.

i've started putting my photos up on flickr for those who are interested in a few random pics from the festival. I'm loving Jonny's night shots

I'm off to Ikea to get hold of a pink candle before they all sell out!

"No one is born a good citizen,
No nation is born a democracy,
rather both are processes that
continue to evolve over a lifetime.

Young people must be included from birth
A society that cut's itself off
from it's youth, severs its lifeline."

Kofi Annan, UN General Secretary.

Two's company, three's antisocial?

much of our local community is going to be covered by a dispersal order. A dispersal order gives police and community support officers two main powers. The first allows them to order groups of people within a dispersal zone to leave. The second empowers them to escort home anyone under 16 found within a dispersal zone after 9pm. Anyone who refuses to comply faces arrest, having their DNA taken, and a fine of up to £2,500 or a jail term of up to three months.

This act of injustice has been proposed and is being pushed through without any appropriate consultation with local residents and practitioners. A recent article in the times covers this subject very well.

To treat any minority as apart from society is to invite them to become so.

Archbishop's peace vigil in tent

The Archbishop of York has moved into a tent in York Minster as part of an act of "public witness" to encourage peace in the Middle East.

His head was publically shaved yesterday at the start of a week of prayer and fasting.

This guy is a truly inspirational figure.

more here

image by originalmulli

 

speak up for peace

the speak up for peace flickr group is gaining some increadibly powerful images.
the groups founders ask that you

Take the time to reflect upon the issue. -what if a bomb came in through your window one day...Wouldn’t you want someone to speak up if you couldn't?

images by About eidos* / mena        Guillaume Brialon

Are these your terrorists?

thank you kester for writing

I'm reminded of Jesus' invitation for anyone without sin to cast the first stone... So many have been cast on all sides, and none are justified. Yet I can't get away from the fact that Israel is being totally disproportionate. Like a once-hurt kid with their bigger, badder brother now by their side, they kick hard. 1000 times harder, in terms of pounds-of-explosives ratios. And turn and spin and project their enemies as mad terrorists.