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United Reformed Church
Peace Fellowship

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Newsletter

Vol. 8 no. 1
January 2008

Annual Conference Speakers 2007

Report on Annual Conference 2007

The Intercultural Communication and Leadership School

News of Members

Study War no More

The Stop the War Coalition

Prayers

URCPF Committee notes

notes and dates

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Annual Conference Speakers 2007

Reports by Anne Parker

The Written Word Doesn’t Convey It All.

I would like to add to Karen Abi-Ezzi’s report on her Keynote Address (below) my own reflections for, whilst that is a faithful record, it does not, and cannot, convey the manner in which it was delivered nor the many questions that Karen very willingly answered. I hope you can see in the photograph her lively enthusiasm, for life in general and for peace studies in particular, which to me was clearly apparent as she spoke to us.

Karen very succinctly gave both an overview of and detailed information on the Intercultural Communication and Leadership School which has worked with over 100 young people in the Bradford area between 2002 and 2006. The starting point is when the participants listen to Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Atheist, Jewish, etc. perspectives and then critically reflect on their own community (the one into which they were born) and encourage the challenging of the stereotype of ‘the other’, affirming the common humanity which we all share. 		Questions from the floor were invited and they proved to be wide-ranging in content and in answers; for example: how is the selection of participants for the ICLS made?; how do the young people know about ICLS?; Karen Abbi-Ezzi
Photo of Karen by A.P.
an optional module on multiculturalism for 2nd and 3rd year students at Bradford University; SLED (School of Life-long Education and Distance learning); what is multiculturalism?; how can politicians be challenged?; Project for a Peaceful City; British foreign policy’s impact on attitudes; how do Christian churches engage more with people of other faiths?; is writing to your MP worth doing?

This was an informative and encouraging session.
Isobel Simmons
Photo of Isobel courtesy of the URC

Doubly Blessed

It was so good to have Isobel Simmons with us, to give a young person’s perspective on the United Reformed Church and FURY*, and to tell us about her visit to Israel and Palestine earlier this year. 		support and help campaigning in local areas, thus enabling young people and their churches to campaign, and empowering young people to speak out.

We heard how Isobel was one of the leaders of a group of 16 year-olds to Israel and Palestine. The visit enabled the young people to see the conditions, to meet local people and to talk to representatives of campaigning bodies. Having experienced something of the situation they were then left to decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong. And she told us a story of the power of prayer as they prepared for a difficult visit in the West Bank.

Isobel challenged us to think seriously about the young people in our Church and the gifts and skills which they bring.


* FURY: Fellowship of United Reformed Youth
She posed the question ‘How do we operate to be inclusive?’ because access to church and assembly decision-making bodies can be difficult for young people. However, church can provide a safe space with ground rules but with no judgement.

Isobel told us that FURY had now shifted from a young person’s version of General Assembly to doing more to

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Annual Conference 2007

held at URC Church House, London, on the 17th November 2007 at 11.00 am. and including the eighth Annual Meeting
1. Attendance – 26 members attended.

2. Welcome – Andrew Jack, Convener, opened the meeting.

3. Opening Devotions – Anne Lewitt led the Opening Devotions.

4. Keynote Address - Dr. Karen Abi-Ezzi BA(Lond) MA PhD(Kent), addressed the meeting on her experiences with the Inter-Cultural Leadership School, which promotes greater understanding between young people in leadership positions from different ethnic backgrounds working in and around Bradford. At the conclusion of her address she responded to comments and questions from the members in attendance. The Convener thanked Dr. Abi-Ezzi for her contribution.

5. FURY – Isobel Simmons, immediate past Chair of FURY* addressed the meeting on her experiences in FURY and as a young person within the URC. At the conclusion of her address she responded to comments and questions from members in attendance. The Convener thanked Isobel for her contribution.

6. Lunch - The meeting adjourned for an hour.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

7. Apologies were received from Richard Becher, Eileen Brown, Tony and Elisabeth Compton, Elaine Kaye, Sue Liddell, Penny Oliver, Brian and Pamela Pavitt, Brian Ranford, Martin Tilley and Jean Wyatt.

8. Minutes.

8.1 The minutes of the sixth annual meeting held on 26th November 2005 were circulated and approved.

8.2 The minutes of the seventh annual meeting held on 25th November 2006 were circulated and approved.

9 Committee Report. A report had been tabled, arising from which the following subjects were discussed:-

9.1 Middle East – Dr. Karen Abi-Ezzi and Isobel Simmons opened the discussion, sharing their experiences of and in the Middle East. Other members then joined in the discussion and suggestions were made for the Committee to consider, including the 		URC inviting a Group of Palestinians to Britain, sharing stories, supporting the United Nations Association and continue to approach Members of the various parliaments.

9.2 Trident Replacement. There was a general discussion and agreement that every effort must be made to overturn the decision to replace Trident. Reference was made to the URC Statement on the issue, and this was welcomed, but there was criticism that the subsequent inaction was not consistent with the statement. The meeting AGREED that the Church and Society should be asked to publicly encourage support for activities in support of ‘No Trident Replacement’. It was also AGREED to ask that the URC should affiliate to the ‘Stop the War Coalition’.

10. Treasurer’s Report – A report had been tabled. It was AGREED that the Committee should consider increasing the subscriptions. The Treasurer was thanked for her report and for her work.

11 Newsletter – The Editor had submitted his apology but the meeting expressed their appreciation of the high standard of the 4 issues produced this year. The Convener pointed out that the Editor welcomed contributions from members. It was AGREED to record appreciation of the work of the Editor.

12 Network of Christian Peace Organisations – Hazel reported on the year’s activities. She was thanked for her report and for her work.

13. Elections for 2007/2008

13.1 Convener – Andrew Jack was elected Convener.

13.2 Treasurer – Wendy Cooper was elected Treasurer.

13.3 Newsletter Editor – Tony Compton was elected Editor.

13.4 NCPO – Hazel Barkham was elected as the Fellowship’s Representative.

13.5 Committee – Anne Lewitt, Anne Parker and Diana Townsend.

14. Closing Devotions. Anne Lewitt led the meeting in prayer.


* FURY: Fellowship of United Reformed Youth

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The Intercultural, Communication and Leadership School (ICLS)

The ICLS has been running in the Bradford area since 2002. Following the riots in Bradford in the summer of 2001, it was felt that work was needed to bring young people working within both the Asian and White communities in Bradford together. The aim was to run workshops which would help strengthen ties both within each community and between them.

The ICLS was built on the experiences of workshops that were carried out in the Bosnia-Herzegovina region in the 1990s which brought together young people and trained them in the theory and practice of conflict resolution. The ICLS as its name suggests emphasises the need for better communication and leadership skills which are qualities that can be learnt and developed. Typically a group of fifteen young people between the ages of 20-30 is interviewed and selected by a panel. The selected group includes roughly equal numbers from each faith community. The participants are then invited to a remote house in the Yorkshire Dales, Scargill House in Kettlewell. They spend five days together during which time they are taught a variety of skills around conflict resolution training, what it means to be a good leader and also how to work with the media, for example how best to communicate a particular message when interviewed on the radio or on television. 		All participants automatically become alumni and the friendships formed are maintained and strengthened through membership of the Intercultural Network of Trust (ICNT). As the literature on the ICLS explains ‘The ICLS emphasises mutual respect, peaceful contacts and long-term co-operation and provides opportunities through residential seminars for mutual encounter, leadership training and continuing relationship.’

The Bradford seminars have been funded by Yorkshire Forward through the Churches Regional Commission for Yorkshire and the Humber with additional financial support from Bradford Vision. It costs approximately £750 to put one individual through the five day training seminar. So far, these seminars have taken place in and around Bradford. However, discussions are underway to hold similar workshops in Leicester, Oxford and Birmingham.

Karen Abi-Ezzi, MA course co-director Department of Peace Studies
University of Bradford

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News of members

The Bury St. Edmunds Peace and Justice group has been continuing its work on modern slavery. Our main effort has been with sex trafficking and we have been working with CHASTE (Churches Alert to Sex Trafficking in Europe), the local police and local community care officers. A talk by CHASTE attracted considerable interest from several churches in the town. We are trying to discover the best means to get information to women wishing to escape the sex trade and are devising wording for leaflets and cards, including a relevant phone number.

We are also trying to develop a network of other justice and peace groups in order to bombard the government from several different areas on a particular issue. Ideas would be welcome.

Martin Tilley

N.B. 18th May is Not For Sale Sunday - Ed.

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A Very Important Publication

 Study War no More booklet
The Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Campaign Against the Arms Trade have jointly produced a well-researched and clearly presented document called Study War No More. It describes the extent of military involvement in UK universities over the period 2001-2006, with Bristol taken as a case-study.

This should be read by as many people as possible, and particularly anyone with university contacts, whether as staff, student, family of student, ex-student or ex-staff. Contact the publication website for more details and to download the document.

T.C.

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World against war meeting

The Stop the War Coalition

Reports by Diana Townsend

 World against war meeting
The Stop the War Coalition AGM, 27th October 2007.

The two main themes presented at this meeting were a consideration of the situation in Iraq, with a call to withdraw all our troops immediately, and the build-up of anti-Iranian feeling by the US, in particular, paralleling the previous tactics before the Iraq invasion. Other issues raised included the continued scandal of prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay, the Israeli-Palestine conflict, the poor after-service care of military personnel, the Don’t replace Trident campaign, and the situation in Afghanistan.

The meeting was attended by about 500 members and/or observers representing 118 groups.

Among the enthusiastic and articulate speakers were Annas Al Takriti from the British Muslim Initiative, the Guardian's Seumas Milne, Lawyer of the Year Phil Shiner currently exposing British torture in Iraq, as well as Kate Hudson from CND, Lindsey German, George Solomou from Military Families against the War, Iraqi journalist Sami Ramidani, Campaign Iran's Somayeh Zadeh, and MP's George Galloway and Jeremy Corbyn.

Established for six years now and a broad coalition of many anti-war groups, STWC is determined to call the UK government to account over its way of waging ‘war against terror’.

They recently insisted on the right of individuals to demonstrate outside parliament, despite initial police opposition based on a law dating from 1839! Thus, on October 8th, as MPs returned from their summer vacation to hear Gordon Brown make a long-awaited statement about Iraq, around 5000 demonstrators gathered to demand “Bring all the troops home now”. There was disappointment that Gordon Brown is proving to have no more integrity than Tony Blair in his attachment to US policy and talk of troop withdrawals.

As for Iran, there was deliberate exaggeration about the faults of the Iranian government to influence the general public into believing that a military intervention would be justified. An emotional Iranian refugee listed many of the so-called faults as ‘lies’ although her insistence that Iran was not an undemocratic country raised some eyebrows and voices! One important point made was that disagreeing with a military invasion did not imply support for the Iranian government. The principle should be adhered to that the Iranians, as the Iraqis, should be allowed to exercise their own rights to determine their own future. In the case of military action against Iran, STWC intends to hold immediate demonstrations in protest and is asking members to pledge their support for this. As run up to this, a day of action was called for November 24th. 		Another initiative was to hold an evening of music, poetry and some politics, Rhythms of Peace, the night before the planned World against War conference on 1st December.

World against War Conference, 1st December

This conference was a unique event with over 800 delegates and speakers coming to London from all five continents. The day began with an impassioned speech from Tony Benn calling us to reaffirm the pledges made after the end of WW2 with the inauguration of the United Nations organisation. He was followed by Jean Lambert, MEP for the Green Party, reminding us of the double standards of our government over nuclear power and weapons, and how the social consequences of climate change were worsening already tense situations. Then Ibrahim Musawi, the editor of al-Intiqab, called for mutual respect between all peoples as human beings, claiming that some issues were too important to be left in the hands of politicians. Also in this introductory plenary session we heard from Hassam Juma, a member of the Iraqi Oil Workers Trade Union, Hans von Sponeck, the UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Iraq, and Lindsey German.

For the next session we were divided into two groups, one concerned with Iran and the Middle East, the other focusing on the Occupation of Iraq. I went to hear about Iran. Abbas Edelat, from CASMII, told us that although there are human rights violations in that country (see Amnesty International for data here) and despite an oppressive government, there is social progress including a 74% literacy rate. He asked us to challenge distorted media reports, citing in particular The Guardian, and to encourage the Iranian activists who are working for peace. So far the IAWA had failed to find any real evidence of the development of nuclear weapons.

After lunch we again split into two groups, this time between those interested in what was planned for Europe and the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Two speakers from the Czech Republic spoke of how they were standing up against the US plans to have bases in their country. We also heard from Briggitte Ostmeyer, a member of the Left Party in Germany calling for the withdrawal of their troops in Afghanistan, Richard Boyd Barrett of the Irish Anti-War Party, Paola Manduca from Italy and Yannis Safakakis from Greece. This was indeed a world-wide forum, with an Egyptian MP and other national speakers joining us for the final plenary session.
As with the earlier STWC conference, the main concerns were about our occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, and the possible threat of military action against Iran. The conference made a joint declaration on these two issues – see www.stopwar.org.uk – and is calling for a world-wide day of action in March to mark the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. World Against War poster

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A Prayer for One World Week

Why, we ask O Lord, is there not peace in the world? Why do countries hate and fight countries; governments people? Why is there racial hatred; individual killings; child abuse; family breakdown; a lack of morals? Lord, we acknowledge this is licence, not the freedom so many people have fought for and worked for through the ages.

We see this tragic world situation emphasized by the media. They do your good work, Lord, in bringing wrong-doing to the attention of the public. But who among them will bring the good in the world to the attention of all people?

Lord, there were people like Karl Marx, Che Guevara who, for good or evil, influenced the world after their deaths. There was Mother Teresa; and the controversial Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. We know the greatest example of all, and one for good, is Jesus Christ, for Whom we rejoice and thank you.

But, Lord, we need new people to reach out to the world with compassion, sacrifice and love. 		It needs only one man or woman, one group, one Church or Faith, to set the ball rolling.

But even better, Lord, someone, some group, to draw together groups, people in a common aim, Thy cause:

Love Thee and love our neighbour as ourselves.

Something we believe possible for the majority of the world, given encouragement and sacrifice of self.

We think of a quotation by Edith Newbold Wharton:

There are two ways of spreading light: to be a candle, or the mirror that reflects it.

Dear Lord, let there be a renaissance of Faith and Love. Please use us according to our abilities. We are here, Lord. You know where we are.

Amen.

Juliet C Brittain, Regent Square URC

A Prayer, authored by Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy

Eternal God, Creator of the universe, there is no God but You.

Great and wonderful are Your works, wondrous are your ways.

Thank You for the many splendoured variety of Your creation.

Thank You for the many ways we affirm Your presence and purpose, and the freedom to do so.

Forgive our violation of Your creation.

Forgive our violence toward each other.

 		We stand in awe and gratitude for Your persistent love for each and all of Your children: Christian, Jew, Muslim, as well as those with other faiths.

Grant to all and our leaders attributes of the strong:
mutual respect in words and deed,
restraint in the exercise of power and
the will for peace with justice, for all.

Eternal God, Creator of the universe, there is no God but You. Amen.

(WCC 1991, quoted in the Fellowship of Reconciliation e-mail news December 2007)

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URCPF Committe notes

Further details can be obtained from the Convenor
(December meeting)
  • Synod investments are being examined.
  • There have been problems printing the newsletter in June/July, when General Assembly material is being produced. However, it is important to retain a January issue to follow up the Annual Conference. The committee agreed that the newsletter should be published three times a year only, in January, May and September.
  • AGM 2008 will be on either the 15th or 22nd November, with a preference for the 22nd. Having two speakers at Conference had been well received and will be repeated in 2008.
  • Subscriptions will be requested annually from now on.
  • The Convenor will write to the URC expressing the AGM’s concern at the inconsistency between the ‘war issues’ statement and the follow-up support. He will ask formally that the URC should produce a banner which could be used by URC members participating in events such as Demos, Vigils etc.
  • Diana Townsend is to produce a banner for those who take part in the Vigil at Aldermaston.
  • A considerable part of the meeting was involved with the issue of Reform to be edited by the URCPF as reported in the October edition.
  • Dates were agreed for committee meetings in 2008: 11th Mar, 31st Jul, 11th Dec.
  • If you wish to raise any issue, please address your comment or question to Andrew Jack c/o the Church and Society office.

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Dates for your Diary:
Dates provided by * Bread and Water for Africa UK, ‡Fellowship of Reconciliationand †Network for Peace - contact these organizations for a more detailed diary.

†7 Jan: Disarmament and Globalisation: Public Conference www.cisd.soas.ac.uk.
†11 Jan: Day of action - 6th anniv. of Guantanamo Bay. www.guantanamo.org.
†20 Jan: Pax Christi - Peace Sunday
†24 Jan: Public meeting in Exeter - US Missile "Defence" 01392 832467.
†27 Jan: Holocaust Memorial Day. www.hmd.org.uk
†3 Feb (and 1st Sunday every month): Walk in Peace: www.walkinpeace.co.uk.
†6 Feb: Ash Wednesday. Christians risk arrest through acts of non-violent civil disobedience. Pax Christi .
†8 – 10 Feb: Weekend of Services for Peace, www.world-disarm.org.uk
*12 Feb: International Child Soldiers Day
‡12 Feb: Seminar: The Iraq War Five Years On www.for.org.uk
†16 Feb: Musicians Against Nuclear Arms Concert for Peace; flute and piano. 020 8455 1030.
†16-17 Feb: Global Summit for a Nuclear Weapon-Free World www.cnduk.org. 		†25 Feb –9 Mar: Fairtrade Fortnight www.fairtrade.org.uk
†1 Mar: 2008 Peace Education Network conference Pax Christi
†24 Mar: Surround the Base at Aldermaston on Easter Monday at 12pm. www.cnduk.org
†28 – 29 Mar: Peace History: people, politics, culture. www.abolishwar.org.uk
†29 Mar: Caring for Creation - Inter-Faith conference ccnd.gn.apc.org
*7 Apr: International Day of Reflection on the 1994 genocide in Rwanda
†19 Apr: Nuclear Power and Nuclear Proliferation; editor.
*3 May: World Press Freedom Day
†3 May: Musicians Against Nuclear Arms Concert for Peace. With John Williams, guitar. 020 8455 1030.
†15 May: International Conscientious Objector’s Day.
18 May: Not For Sale Sunday www.chaste.org.uk.
†19 – 23 May: Course - Conflict Within and Between Communities. www.respond.org.

 15 or 22 Nov: URCPF Annual Conference and AGM

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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:

*** 14th April 2008 *** (see note about frequency of issues)
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
  • By telephone: ditto 020 7916 2020 or Fax: 020 7916 2021
  • By e-mail: direct to the editor or to the office
United Reformed Church Peace Fellowship — part of Church and Society.
Our Statement:
The United Reformed Church Peace Fellowship is a group of United Reformed Church people who accept God's call to human beings to live in peace and who are committed to discerning and obeying the urgent call of God to pursue Peace with Justice in the world.
Our Patrons:
Revd. Kate Compston
Ms Gabrielle Cox
Revd John Johansen-Berg
Revd. Dr. Fred Kaan
Revd. John Reardon
Revd. Roberta Rominger
 		Our Committee:
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
 		URC logo
Opinions expressed in articles in this Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the United Reformed Church or its constituent parts.

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