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United Reformed Church |
NewsletterVol. 6 no. 3 |
Keynote Address by Revd Kate Compston, |
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What can I possibly do in response? I have to talk myself through my knee-jerk despair, so that I can begin again to believe that positive attitudes and actions do effect change for the better. One of the ways I do this is to tell myself stories, especially stories that have been around for a very long time and that carry, therefore, a sense of the meaningful, the timeless. “Immobilized, paralysed, frozen” are words that remind me of the effect of meeting Medusa – one of the three Gorgons of Greek mythology. She had the power to turn people to stone simply by looking at them. She’s still very much around, I think, casting her bleak eyes on those who have a concern about the inequalities and hostilities rampant in the world, but who feel small and ineffective: she ensures that “good people do nothing” so that evil can triumph… But when Perseus managed to behead Medusa, he found that from the blood of her wound sprang the beautiful winged horse, Pegasus, who not only helped him escape from other Gorgons, but beneath whose hoof sprang waters of inspiration (he was a favourite of poets and painters). It is possible that even the darkest, grimmest, most threatening situations are somehow pregnant with creative, soaring possibilities. Is this too fanciful? Maybe. But it is my faith (which finally triumphs over the initial despair and frozenness) that no situation is totally intractable. Out of death-dealing Medusa leaps Pegasus:- this story from an ancient civilization is not a million miles away from the Judaeo-Christian faith that swords and spears (which – in more senses than one - split people apart) can be re-formed into agricultural tools to feed and bring people together in fellowship. Or that out of betrayal, torture and crucifixion can spring transforming new life. I do not have what it takes to be a peace-maker on a grand scale. But I hope I work at it in the very small arena of the nearer community. Relating, through a counselling role, to people whose conflicts are located in the home and workplace, I find it important to bear in mind the following four guidelines– and I am prepared to bet they have some relevance in bigger scenarios too:- |
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3. Believe the best of people, even if this sometimes seems naïve. As Mr. Meagles, quarantined in Marseilles, says in Dickens’ Little Dorrit: “to suspect me of the plague is to give me the plague”. (That remark seems poignantly topical today, in the so-called “war against terrorism”). 4. Take – and encourage others to take – one tiny step away from the deepest wound and towards the greatest hope. Make it a step that is realizable. When it is realized, then another step is possible. And another. And another. I hope all this does not seem like pie in the sky. I have seen such guidelines working in ‘small’ conflict situations. And I believe – though I have no dossier of evidence – that they can help in national and international situations as well. For me, anyway, the remembrance of such tried and tested strategies is what helps to move me from paralysis to pro-activity, from being the victim of Medusa, to riding on the winged horse of new hope, new activity, and renewed faith in the ongoing creativity of our reconciling God. Kate Compston works part-time as a counsellor. She writes poems, prayers and material for meditation. Her husband needs full-time care, and she provides most of this in the home. She has always been interested in peace and justice issues and now, with two young grandsons, feels more keenly than ever the need for a world where there is more emphasis on promoting reconciliation than on the language and practice of hostility. |
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News of members - Bury St Edmunds Christian Network for Justice and Peace |
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The present set-up tends to take on projects for a limited time whilst keeping an eye on perennial issues. We have linked with other local groups such as Suffolk4Peace, which arose out of the Iraq crisis, UNA and a weekly vigil group inspired by a Quaker. The actions that we have taken over the last 2 years include: * weekly vigils in the town centre in the days preceding the Iraq war; * numerous letters to politicians over various issues; * displays in the cathedral, other churches and library; * a vigil during the Week of Prayer for World Peace and distribution of prayer leaflets. |
 photo M.T.Martin Tilley |
Letter to the Editor |
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The American Time magazine of 30th January 2006 interviewed Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, now thought of by many as “Asia’s Elder Statesman”. I was moved to read his description of the outlook of the people of Singapore: |
A good point on which to start the search for world peace, I think. Juliet C. Brittain, Elder, Regent Square URC, London. |
Book Reviews |
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Nurturing Peace — Theological Reflections on Overcoming Violence |
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There are only three chapters. The theme of the first is affirming human dignity and integrity of creation in post genocide Rwanda where the image of God can never be effaced in any person. This conviction provides solid grounding for strong human rights conventions. In taking human form God affirms the dignity and human rights of every human being. In Kigali creation was affirmed as a living community of beings who sustain one another and are blessed by God. In response the church is called to generate a movement from hostility to hospitality in the whole of society and to uphold the sanctity of creation. It is also called to protest and resist unacceptable violence. Then comes repentance, and the long term processes of forgiveness and reconciliation. The second theme - abuse of power and the church's responsibility to bring about a just, participatory and sustain able society in a globalized world with a new dialectic of power centres - was wrestled with by participants meeting in Oslo. Four possibilities towards exploring alternative and transformative models are identified. In the ambivalent relation between power and violence the church has the moral responsibility to explore and propose such models. Between structure and community: the dilemma of the church is to be often found wanting in responsible and life-enhancing models. Theological resources for the just and responsible use of power are God's Shalom and Wisdom. Recognizing Jesus as the presence of God's power gives us a model for virtuous human living calling the church to a life of service. |
Being Peacebearers, Becoming Peacemakers is the last theme. Belonging to and longing for peace is a necessary vocation for a credible, witnessing church in today's violent world. It involves sensitivity and creativity in various historical situations. Peace mediates between justice and forgiveness through a process of rebuke and repentance. Peace mediates between security and vulnerability, requiring that security be ensured to the poor and marginalized. Peace mediates hope by liturgically linking lament with laughter in worship. This book explores a number of problems and articulates hopeful possibilities. Each chapter concludes with issues for further reflection providing a useful follow up to this year's Lent course Easter People in a Good Friday World and a challenge for the second half of the WCC Decade to Overcome Violence. Hazel Barkham |
Healing the Nations — Fred Kaan, The Man and his Hymns
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It begins in Haarlem in Holland during the Depression, where he developed a social conscience. When the Germans invaded Holland, arms were stored in the Kaan's house. Later a young Jewish woman and other fugitives were sheltered. Fred's education continued including Latin and English. He became a teenage pacifist. After the war he began to correspond with Peter Hayward, an English scout. At school he fell in love with Elly Steller. He began to go to church. They moved to the Moravian settlement in Zeist. In 1947 the family visited England and Scotland. The call to the ministry came on returning to Holland where he studied theology at Utrecht University and became engaged to Elly. Deciding on pastoral ministry in England Fred went to Western College. He and Elly married in 1954. He ministered to a large congregation in Barry in Wales. After their first baby died, they had Martin, Peter and Christine. Fred brought the world church to Barry by inviting British Council students. The BBC broadcast one of the international services in 1960 and televised one in 1962. On his last Sunday he translated a Dutch hymn by Jan Thomson God calls his people firm to stand. He had been called to Pilgrim Church in Plymouth in 1963. He became part of the hymn explosion, writing Now let us from this table rise and collecting his hymns in Pilgrim Praise, the second edition of which had 50 hymns, many on social and political themes and the struggle for peace, like For the Healing of the Nations. He fitted his texts to well known tunes. He presented the Epilogue on Westward Television. In 1968 he received a call to Minister-Secretary of the International Congregational Council. The family moved to Geneva, where Fred became friends with Philip and Doreen Potter. Fred became Minister-Secretary to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. In Canada he met Ron Klusmeier and they collaborated on hymns. Fred wrote for the ecumenical hymnbook Cantate Domino. With Doreen Potter he produced Break Not the Circle. Fred was invited to translate some of Anders Frostenson's hymns from Swedish to English. |
Preferring to resume a servant leadership, rather than continue as a Moderator, Fred went to Central Church Swindon, being the sole minister at Penhill URC. On the day of his appointment We utter our cry: that peace may prevail was broadcast in a Songs of Praise programme. At the Induction in 1986 The church is like a table was sung. Fred was Chair of the Council for World Mission. Fred resigned in 1989 when he and Elly drifted apart and he began a new life with Anthea in Birmingham. They married in 1994, a year after Elly's death from cancer. Fred was moving from an exclusively Christian viewpoint to one inclusive of all religions or no religion. Multi-faith hymnody evolved. Fred and Anthea moved to the Lake District in 1999 and his 70th birthday coincided with the publication of The Only Earth We know. Fred wrote the libretto for Knut's Magnificat for a new Millennium performed at Expo 2000 in Hanover. He toured Canada in 2001 with Ron Klusmeier with The Wind of Change presenting contemporary hymns in an innovative style. | |
I enjoyed reading this fascinating story and I'm sure those of the Peace Fellowship who heard our Patron Fred speak on Peacemaking Through Worship in 2003 will too as we continue to "utter our cry: that peace may prevail!" Hazel Barkham |
 Self-portrait by Fred Kaan |
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Letter from the Convenor |
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We all know or should know that Britain and the United States invaded Iraq unlawfully and I do get annoyed when the media refer to those who are Iraqi as insurgents when it was us who surged in to their country. I would not defend Saddam Hussain nor would I defend the many other tyrants who rule countries, which have not been attacked. Equally I would not defend the ‘Terrorist Extremist’, George Bush. He has, along with Lemming Tony, caused more misery and destruction in the world than any other and he has done it not for peace and justice but for profit. I am ashamed that I have not been able to stop this country being associated his actions and hope the URC will be more active in making sure this country does not follow Bush if and when he invades Iran. The attitude of our government to Iran is hypocritical. Firstly no one, including myself, wishes the spread of nuclear weapons but Iran might be persuaded to desist if all the countries surrounding it were forced to give up their nuclear weapons, which they manufactured against the terms of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. This country signed this Treaty but is considering replacing its Trident Missiles. Who does Tony Blair think he is to decide we can flaunt the Treaty and have new Nuclear Weapons but others must not because he says so. What I have been quoting are only examples of the conflicts that are taking place, and, as Convener of the United Reformed Peace Fellowship I would be delighted if the United Reformed Church had Peace as its first priority and not whether or not we should rename the 13 existing Synods as ‘New’ Synods and abolish Districts so we can create different bodies to do most of the work done by Districts. Those of us working within the Peace Fellowship accept this as our major challenge and there are some signs that we are inching forward. |
I have been told that there is regular criticism of the lack of mission on the URC Agenda and to support this view many have pointed out that there was no vision in Catch the Vision. The answer given is that it is coming and I hope that is true. I equally hope that our mission will be to go out and publicly oppose all war. My instinct, and I hope that I am wrong, is that the URC will decide its mission is to go out to bring people in to fill the seats or pews. In my first article for the Newsletter I did point out that the Peace Fellowship encompassed all approaches to peacemaking. I also made it clear that I would not refrain from forcibly putting forward my own personal views. This article, I hope, confirms that. Those who disagree have the opportunity of contributing to future editions of the Newsletter and if they think my views are so outrageous, they can stand against me for Convener at the AGM in November. Andrew Jack |
Worship resources |
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Song for Christian Aid WeekAcross a barren land Of shrivelled crops, abandoned homes And rivers turned to sand. Above the hungry people’s cries I clearly heard Him say This waste was made by human hands There is a better way. I heard the voice of God call out Across the battle zone Where earthly powers compete and deal In human blood and bone. Above the noise of bombs and guns I clearly heard Him say The answer’s not in force of arms There is a better way. |
Across the trading floor Where numbers flicker to and fro And market rules are law. Above the clink of profit’s gold I clearly heard him say Life can be neither bought nor sold There is a better way. I heard the voice of God call out In every human tongue No one should hold two loaves of bread While others they have none. Above the years of failed ideas I clearly heard Him say I stand for justice, peace and love And I will point the way. Jenny Wakely, Leicester, May 2006 |
Peacemaking: a Christian Vocation |
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However, the real background for our task is the soldier who goes ‘over the top’ and sees a scene like hell, with men torn apart by machine guns. Or the scenes of destruction, rape and killing in Sierra Leone when the situation was out of control. Reflecting on situations of this kind, we found much common ground. The Report describes the two main views within our churches, one of the ‘Just War’ and the other renouncing the use of violence and war. We wanted to go deeper than this simple division. We looked at Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments, recognizing that some challenged assumptions in both groups. We noted the consensus in the early church not to take part in war, though some Christians did; we describe the change that came with the conversion of the Emperor Constantine which gave the church a position of influence and power and so could call on it to share in the defence of the Empire. We then describe what is involved in peace-building, which includes nonviolent demonstrations, political lobbying for justice and conflict transformation. We examine nonviolent strategies and aspects of the training required. Much is learned from the teaching and example of Jesus and there are plenty of examples of nonviolent action in modern situations. Then we had to face the challenging question of whether and when the use of force can be considered. We were given an account of what happened in Sierra Leone and the action of a British military unit which intervened to rescue a platoon of African peacekeepers who had been disarmed by the rebels. We considered the Rwandan genocide and asked ourselves whether a sufficient UN force should have been sent in to prevent the slaughter. |
We reached a consensus on many subjects, especially opposition to the renewal of Trident and to the concept of pre-emptive action, and made a strong statement that war is not an appropriate response to terrorism. Eliminating the roots of terror in areas of injustice and oppression is the realistic and creative response. At the Assembly, I was invited to present the resolution, which reads: General Assembly adopts the Report "Peacemaking: A Christian Vocation" and commends it for study by Synods and local congregations, and as a helpful guide for church leaders who may be called upon for comment on the ethical considerations relating to war and peace. There was no opposition expressed and when the resolution was put it had overwhelming support. The Methodist Church has also expressed its support, so we hope to see many local church groups discussing the Report and taking appropriate action. I believe that it is significant that pacifists and those who take a "just war" approach can together reach a consensus that calls for radical questioning and action on the ethical questions raised by conflict. This Report, now adopted, takes us much further as a church in commitment to peacemaking than we have reached previously. It is indeed an expression of our Christian vocation as peacemakers. I recommend to you the Report, and the Study Guide which goes with it, and hope you will form a group in your church or group of churches to study the Report in some depth. Revd. John Johansen-Berg |
In the News |
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Ekklesia together with Premier Radio have set up a new ISP called ‘Peacenik’. Peacenik.co.uk was set up so people can access the internet and raise money for peace and justice projects at the same time. The money raised goes into a fund which is ring-fenced for peace and justice work. Peace and justice groups can then make applications to the fund for help. Four times a year, all those using peacenik.co.uk will be asked to vote for the projects that they think the fund should support, and the money will be given accordingly. For more details or to sign up see www.peacenik.co.uk. (from FoR e-mail news). An interfaith network is mobilising to hold on to Japan’s anti-war constitution: Thousands of Christians and other religious people across Japan are petitioning legislators to halt a proposed national referendum sought by Japan's ruling coalition parties seen as aiming to amend Japan's war-renouncing constitution... |
The CTBI working party on the future of Trident has just produced its Briefing which can be downloaded from www.ctbi.org.uk We intend to publicise this on the URC website. Hard copy may be available from CTBI. If you do not already, you are strongly recommended to receive URC Church and Society’s Hotline reports. These are produced about once a month and are an invaluable and topical update on news, including material not always in the mainstream. Phone 0207 916 8632 or follow links on the URC website to Our Work > Church and Society.
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URCPF Committee notes |
Dates for your Diary: |
In connection with wider publicity for the Fellowship: * There will be a Peace Fellowship display at Assembly. * It had proved difficult to create links with FURY. * An article had appeared in Reform in April. * Members are asked to keep the existence of the Peace Fellowship before their Synods.Editor's notes* The disclaimer at the foot of this page should have appeared previosuly — it is a coincidence that this is the first time and does not reflect comment on any item in this issue! * You will have noted that this issue is six pages. You send us the material — we expand the newsletter! |
21-23 Jul: A War on Terror is not Christ’s Way; conference at Wydale Hall nr. Scarborough. APF and Church and Peace. Tony Kempster 01908 510642. 28-30 Jul: weekend on Israel/Palestine at Little Gidding (led by Peter Hinchcliffe, former ambassador) 01832 293383. 11-20 Aug: Summer Peace School; West End outdoor centre, N. Yorks. 0113 257 4572. 25-28 Aug: Greenbelt Christian Arts Festival. Visit the Peace Zone. 1 Sep–30 Nov: CAAT 3-month mass lobby of MPs. 23 Sep: Stop the War Campaign/CND demonstration in Manchester against occupation of Iraq and war with Iran. 29 Sep: MANA concert St James’ Piccadilly (Mendelssohn, Mozart, Ravel, Schubert) 0208 455 1030. 1 Oct: CND demonstration at USAF Lakenheath against NATO/US bases in UK and Europe. 16 Oct: CAAT Shut DESO action day, London. 27-29 Oct: Fellowship of Reconciliation youth conference Called to be Peacemakers; martha@for.org.uk 01865 748796. The 2006 URCPF Annual Conference is on the 25th November, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Carrs Lane URC, Birmingham;
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Your contribution to the newsletter is needed! Letters, book reviews, devotional pieces, poems, reports, cartoons, all are welcome. Also please let us know of any peace actions, vigils, correspondence with MPs etc you have been involved in. Deadline for the next issue: |
Letters and other material for the newsletter can be sent to the editor (Tony Compton):
On paper: via Church and Society, United Reformed Church, 86 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9RT
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United Reformed Church Peace Fellowship — part of Church and Society. |
Revd. Kate Compston Ms Gabrielle Cox Revd John Johansen-Berg Revd. Dr. Fred Kaan Revd. John Reardon Revd. Roberta Rominger |
Convenor and Secretary: Mr Andrew Jack Treasurer: Ms Wendy Cooper NCPO representative: Revd. Hazel Barkham Revd Sîan Collins Mrs Anne Lewitt Mrs Anne Parker Revd Diana Townsend |
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Opinions expressed in articles in this Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the United Reformed Church or its constituent parts. |