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There was a flavour of Jubilee as momentum and strength was drawn from a congregation of diversity committed to social, economic and environmental justice; committed to going upstream to exert pressure together for 'the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow' There's a well worn story with a variety of versions that takes place in a village on a river bank, this is one: One summer in the village, the people in the town gathered for a picnic. As they leisurely shared food and conversation, someone noticed a baby in the river, struggling and crying. The baby was going to drown! Someone rushed to save the baby. Then, they noticed another screaming baby in the river, and they pulled that baby out. Soon, more babies were seen drowning in the river, and the towns people were pulling them out as fast as they could. It took great effort, and they began to organize their activities in order to save the babies as they came down the river. As everyone else was busy in the rescue...

It was good to be reminded that today is Homelessness Sunday today. I was visiting Dartford SA where the Bales are doing a great job. Before I realised that it was homelessness Sunday, on the train journey I found myself drawn to the design of benches on the railway stations. Two or Three various designs shared the same unique characteristic - sitting OK, lying and sleeping impossible. Pesky Homeless. Armrests, material and angle of the seats cleverly preventing any over night comfort should anyone need it. That'll teach them. The intentionality of design troubled me - or perhaps I am being over sensitive.

View Upload your own "The effects of social exclusion are often all too easy to see: family breakdown, poverty, poor health, addictive behaviour and homelessness. The purpose of The Seeds of Exclusion, the fourth in a series of reports published by The Salvation Army, is to identify how patterns of early-life experience contain the seeds of later problems, and how The Salvation Army and others might tackle them." TSA has published its latest report looking into issues of social fragmentation - it's called Seeds of Exclusion - you can read and download it here .

It seems that the International Social Justice Commission... is building its standing in its mandate to help TSA world to continue to think theologically and strategically about justice issues. Here is a snippet... "Joining Jesus invites us to come together as a global family and sing the songs of justice. Our proclamation and intervention trumpets Jesus’ vision for freedom… freedom from “life denying” vulnerabilities and freedom for “life promoting” opportunities. Freedom from “life denying” vulnerabilities Exploitation Poverty and oppression Violence and discrimination Sin Addictions Exclusion and voicelessness Human trafficking Hidden injustices Corruption Freedom for “life promoting” opportunities Dignity for all people Protection for the vulnerable Including the excluded Enabling the exploited Salvation Choices for the disenfranchised Safe and civil society Education and health care Gender equality and right relationships Religious freedom Sustainable economic opportunity E...

"Their faith is bigger, their vocation is bigger, and their God is bigger. They are secure enough to be able to live outside the conformity." One benefit that came from a soggy and windy camping holiday last week was that I was able to get through a couple of books. I particularly enjoyed Walk On: The Spiritual Journey Of U2 (Stockman, S. 2005). It was good to get an insight to some of the lyrics beyond the CD sleeves and to see how they were used in concert to get across the strong themes that characterise U2. There was a rich collection of Bonoism's on Faith Development, Christianity, Mission - here are a few of them: Bono on Social Justice:- "To me, faith in Jesus Christ that is not aligned to social justice - that is not aligned to the poor - it's nothing" (pp46). "There is a radical side to Christianity that I am attracted to. And I think without a commitment to social justice, it is empty." (pp59). Bono on Faith Development:- "Belief a...

The Great African Scandal, was shown last September on Channel 4. Read Dr Beckford's article on his journey and unjust trade rules It exposed how unfair economic policies are crippling farmers and locking their families into a life of deprivation. Sit down with some fairtrade and watch the video here

I keep an eye on the Sojourners site, but I have just discovered the Godspolitics Progressive Christian blog by Jim Wallis and friends The monologue of the Religious Right is over and a new conversation has begun! Join the God's Politics dialogue with Jim Wallis and friends Brian McLaren , Diana Butler Bass, Becky Garrison, Gareth Higgins, Shane Claiborne, Mary Nelson, Gabriel Salguero , Tony Campolo , and others. For all those who make the trawl through different blogs to keep up to date - there is a better way bloglines . Godpolitics is about to be added.

Martin has discovered the Bono and Bill Hybels conversation that I mentioned a while back here The search results in Youtube are here Thanks Martin!

Jim Wallis' sojouners are highlighting the problem with Burger King: Farm workers who pick tomatoes for Burger King's sandwiches earn 40 to 50 cents for every 32-pound bucket of tomatoes they pick, a rate that has not risen significantly in nearly 30 years. Workers who toil from dawn to dusk must pick two tons of tomatoes to earn $50 in one day. If this is correct there is something not right. Even MacDonald's are trying to sort the inequity out! Tell Burger King here

The Director and staff will be the Army’s principal international advocate and adviser on social, economic and political issues and events giving rise to the perpetuation of social injustice in the world. They will assist the Army in addressing social injustice in a systematic, measured, proactive and Christian manner, consistent with the purposes for which God raised up The Salvation Army. I almost missed this circular email waiting in my in box.... You will be aware that in recent months much prayer, thought and planning have been taking place for a new global initiative by The Salvation Army with regard to issues of social justice. This letter gives details of that initiative. As you read on, I ask for your sincere prayers that ongoing divine guidance may be granted to all concerned, and for honour to be brought to the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ as this initiative gets started and unfolds. On 1 July 2007 a new unit of International Headquarters will come into being to...