News Review (stuff on my mind)

The World of Wier is about to have a Christmas break so I'm doing a bit of brain-dump as I clear my in-box this morning.

Here are some of the key thoughts and ideas that I want to return to in the new year:

'Conspiracy'

I've been reminded of this word again during Advent. For me it captures something important about Jesus' arrival into the world and the central theme of his teaching, 'the kingdom of God.' The conviction that God is at work in the world and is actively engaged in the task of renewing and recreating it. Not just restoring things to their former beauty, but re-making them so that they're better than before. But it happens in unexpected ways and through unlikely people. Its not entirely obvious all the time. But if you look hard enough, you can see it....

I think I'm going to re-read Dallas Willard's The Divine Conspiracy (once I find where I've put it).

A new movement for change among Christians in America?

From Mustard Seed Associates:

God is conspiring through a new generation to create new expressions of discipleship, community, church and mission and to make a difference in our rapidly changing world. At this festival of imagination, we will bring together leaders from the emerging, missional, mosaic and monastic streams of renewal to explore new models, discuss tough questions and create ways to be a difference and make a difference in our churches, communities and God's world.

From Sojourners:

At Sojourners, we're hearing a different sound in conversations within communities that we visit across the country. No doubt you hear it too, in your circles of influence, in your places of worship, and in the questions raised as you view world events with family and friends. There's a different sound in the political conversation too, spurred by events such as the Sojourners Presidential Candidates Forum last summer and by the stirring of voters. They are asking new questions, pushing issues of poverty and social justice to the forefront, and letting candidates know that the pressure won't stop when the ballots are counted.

And from Jim Wallis (who also happens to be very upbeat about Gordon Brown)

The dramatic changes occurring in many of our faith communities and constituencies, the energy and commitment of a new generation, and the openness of politics for change may indicate the beginning of a new and more hopeful period in the life of this country and the world.

Tools and ideas for a more 'neighbourly' lifestlye

• From America - Neighbors Project - a growing movement of a generation of people living in cities with ambition and energy to improve their neighborhoods. The movement was started in fall 2006 by a group of friends who were concerned about both the increasing polarization of our country due to expanding suburban sprawl and the polarization in our city neighborhoods... Their being neighbourly checklist isn't exactly rocket science, but I guess it doesn't need to be...
• Church based - Tearfund Good Neighbours pack and Diocese of York study course - what makes a good community?
• Living Lightly - resources for a simpler, greener lifestyle from A Rocha UK: There must be more to life than working, consuming, acquiring and being sucked into a value system that we know is wrong.

And finally the exciting bit
Government consultation on inter-faith dialogue and social action - Face-to-Face and Side-by-Side . Deadline for comments 7th March 2008.




Happy Christmas from the World of Wier