A summer break and a BBQ

So, did you watch that Opening Ceremony? What a feast for the eyes, ears and imagination! I'm finding it very interesting this morning to read how different people have interpreted the evening (some foreign commentators seem unsurprisingly baffled by parts of it). Personally, I thought the opening sequence depicting the transition from rural pastures to industrial engine was very powerful - a reminder that the many positives of progress come at great expense. I was also pleased to see the unashamed nods to women's suffrage and other reform movements. What was your favourite moment?

If you came along to our gathering ten days ago, you will have heard a challenging talk from Lizzie Feltoe (Justice Matters leadership team and AgeUK) on the subject of ageing and the mixed blessing and challenge that people living longer brings. We will try to put a summary of her talk on the JM website soon, but she did also mention some local befriending opportunities that you might be interested in. AgeUK Barnet have details about how to volunteer on their website. Let us know if you decide to give it a go! Alternatively, Ann-Marie also suggested the older people's Wednesday Club at St Barnabas Church for anyone looking for a rewarding volunteering opportunity during the day.

You will also have heard that the last session was out final formal gathering until September when we will be launching into an exciting new programme with a slightly revised format. We will still be meeting on the first and third Wednesdays, but watch this space for further details.

In the meantime, we will be holding a BBQ on the 8th August at Dave and Fiona's house in Mill Hill. If you are interested in going, please email them on forgetful@ntlworld.com so they can coordinate who brings what etc. We hope to see some of you there. Otherwise, enjoy your summer and see you again soon!

Cut it out

I love this excellent and very practical campaign from ALOVE UK, the Salvation Army for a New Generation to stand against trafficking by refusing to accept adverts for the sex industry in their local papers.




Human trafficking to fuel the demands of the sex industry takes place on a daily basis and we need to Cut it Out. A letter from the SCD9 Human Exploitation and Organised Crime unit at New Scotland Yard dated 25th November 2010 states:

It is clear (from our investigations) that advertising in newspapers can play a key role in facilitating the exploitation of trafficked victims. The adverts in question often purport to be massage parlours, saunas or escort agencies, but are in reality a front for criminal networks to advertise trafficked victims for sexual services. Consequently it is vital that we tackle this area as part of our overarching strategy to reduce trafficking in London.

This is why we want to see an end to advertising in this way!

The campaign seeks to tackle these adverts by targeting the editors responsible for the newspapers running the adverts, suggesting that people cut out and send the adverts the editor with a letter stating:

As a newspaper editor you have a huge responsibility in terms of the adverts that you allow to be placed in your newspaper. Please help us see an end to modern day slavery by ‘cutting out’ these types of adverts. We ask that you don’t plead ignorance when it comes to something as important as this. Please do your bit to improve the lives of those trapped in human trafficking for sexual exploitation. 

Advertising these establishments fuels the sex industry which will result in people being trafficked to fill the places required by these establishments. I am writing to you to ask that you end advertising in this way in your newspaper.

What a great idea! Why not download a suggested letter template and send one off yourself?

Only, don't send one to the Finchley and Hendon Times (or any other Newsquest publications for that matter), because I already contacted the editor and had this very encouraging response.

In fact, they haven't since 2008 and you can read about it here. So that's one family of papers down - who's next?

The Monday Missive

A brief reminder about our meeting this Wednesday to talk about ageing and older people in the UK. We'll be at Coffee Republic on the High Road in North Finchley at 7.30pm. Lizzie Feltoe from Age UK (and a founding member of JM) will be leading a talk and discussion, as well as challenging us to take a new view on the issue.  

This will be our last gathering before the summer, so please do make an effort to join us!

Extreme weather here to stay

Britain needs to plan now for more erratic, unpredictable and extreme weather patterns in the future says Lord Smith, Chairman of the Environment Agency.

"The weather extremes which we've seen this year - with widespread floods almost immediately following a long term drought - have brought the importance of resilience into sharp focus. Climate change science tells us that these are the sort of weather patterns we are going to have to get used to, so taking action today to prepare and adapt our homes, businesses and infrastructure is vital."

Read more: http://www.environmentmagazine.co.uk/latest-news/966-extreme-weather-shows-need-to-plan-for-climate-change

Shared from the Justice Matters Facebook Page

A simple truth - Tearfund

This is a great two minute animation on corruption in the mining industry and what we can do about it.

Find out more: http://www.tearfund.org/en/get_involved/campaign/unearth/a_simple_truth/

Shared from the Justice Matters Facebook Page

Reweaving the social fabric

"In general, to 'to justice' means to live in a way that generates a strong community where human beings can flourish. Specifically, however, to “do justice” means to go to places where the fabric of shalom has broken down, where the weaker members of societies are falling through the fabric, and to repair it. This happens when we concentrate on and meet the needs of the poor.

How can we do that? The only way to reweave and strengthen the fabric is by weaving yourself into it. Human beings are like threads thrown together onto a table. If we keep our money, time and power to ourselves, for ourselves, instead of sending them out into our neighbours’ lives, then we may be literally on top of one another, but we are not interwoven socially, relationally, financially and emotionally. Reweaving shalom means to sacrificially thread, lace and press your time, goods, power and resources into the lives and needs of others."

From Generous Justice by Tim Keller, 2010 (paperback, p177).

Do we live in an ageist society?

We often hear on the news that we live in an ageing society. But what exactly does this mean for our economy, the services provided by the state and the people who are living longer? 

This short film sets out one angle affecting people who have care and support needs.

Join us on Wednesday 18th July to hear more on the subject from Age UK. As usual, we'll be meeting at Coffee Republic on North Finchley High Road from 7.30pm.

This will be our final formal gathering of the summer term - don't miss out!