Green shoots at Easter

Has anyone else got green shoots appearing from the tubs of soil and seeds we planted last week? So often at JM we look at issues that demand concerted engagement over the long haul to bring about meaningful change, so its refreshing to see a tangible outcome from our recent efforts to experiment with growing our own food within mere days of taking action.

It was equally encouraging to hear that our combined efforts to lobby Government to deliver on the commitment to allocate 0.7% of GDP to resource international development. Clearly, this announcement was part of a much wider and long-running campaign to make this pledge a reality, but it was nonetheless exciting to have been engaging with our local MPs on the issue one day and then to have seen it actioned the following week.

The sight of those green shoots sprouting from the dirt reminded me of a video I produced a couple of years ago to accompany a talk I gave at St Bs on the parable of the mustard seed. In the video, as in the parable, the dominant image is of weeds breaking through concrete, reclaiming ruins, bringing new life and colour to abandoned objects and forgotten places. This, says Jesus, is what the Kingdom of God is like - the transformation of our broken and corrupt systems, a restoration of right relationships, the dawn of a new hope.

This is what Christians celebrate at Easter - that through Jesus' death and resurrection, we are restored into right relationship with God, one another and the world. On that first Easter Sunday, the Kingdom of God went from an idea to a reality and it has continued to seed and spread throughout the world ever since.

When the hungry are fed, the poor cared for, prisoners comforted, the lonely befriended, the outcasts included and the stranger welcomed, that is the Kingdom of God.

When slaves are freed, labourers fairly treated, when women are valued as equal, that is the Kingdom of God.

When the thirsty are given access to safe clean water, when farmers don't have to sell their crops for less than they cost to produce, when young girls aren't subjected to mutilation, or forced to sell their bodies for sex, when companies in one part of the world don't exploit workers in another party of the world just because they can, that is the Kingdom of God.

Justice Matters is an expression of that same redemptive insurgency; our small effort to play a role in the creeping global transformation.

If you are around Finchley over the Easter weekend, why not pop into one of the Easter services taking place at St Barnabas Church and find out more about God's heart for social justice and how far He went to make a better world possible. 

Otherwise we'll see you again on the 18th April for our next gathering, at which we'll be hearing about Foodbanks with exciting guest speakers from both the Chipping Barnet Foodbank and the Trussell Trust, creator of the UK's largest Foodbank network. Plus we'll talking about taking up the Live Below the Line challenge again... 

So, lots to look forward to - have a good Easter weekend and see you soon!

Scenes from the potting room floor

Last week, members of Justice Matters looked at the issue of food chains and food miles, before getting their green fingers dirty planting courgette, chillies, salad leaves, tomatoes and beetroot seeds. Good times.

GB joins the G0.7

"We also deliver in this coming year on this nation’s long-standing commitment to the world’s poorest to spend 0.7 per cent of our national income on international development.

We should all take pride, as I do, in this historic achievement for our country."

Read the full text of the Chancellor's 2013 budget speech: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/

Shared from the Justice Matters Facebook Page

The world is not impoverished

Via Phil 'Hoylus' Hoyle

Volunteering opportunity - Besom

Last year, several members of JM spent a Saturday painting the home of a single dad and his son with the help of the Besom in Barnet.

Now Besom are looking for volunteers to help deliver donated household items to those in need on Saturday mornings (approx 9:30-12:30). Why not join the a van team for some fun and (hopefully) sunshine filled Besom days this summer!

The Saturday summer van dates are:
April 13th and 27th
May 11th, and 25th
June 8th and 22nd
July 6th and 20th

Post a comment below if you're interested in helping out on one of those dates and we'll hook you up with the team. Remember, being part of JM isn't just about learning to do right, but also putting that learning into action, so do grab this opportunity to get involved...

"We act as a bridge between those who want to give and those in need in our community. We believe that by getting actively involved, our eyes and hearts are opened, and we understand more of God's heart for those in need."

Shared from the Justice Matters Facebook Page

A busy weekend

What a busy weekend!

A number of us went to visit Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, on Saturday morning to discuss the IF campaign. We meet someone else in the waiting room who was also there to talk to her about the campaign, so we made friends and went in together - always networking and recruiting new members!

Theresa was familiar with much of what the campaign is trying to achieve and made positive noises about the issues we raised. Perhaps most pleasingly, when we raised the matter of the Government committing to allocate 0.7% of GDP to international aid, she smiled and told us that the first person into her surgery that morning had been complaining loudly about the amount of money Britain gives away in aid to developing nations, so it was encouraging to hear the five of us voicing our support for ongoing generosity.

On Monday morning Lizzie and Dave went to have a similar conversation with Mile Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, which sounds to have been equally productive.

In addition to that, Elaine hosted the Sing for Water concert at St Bs in Saturday night, where several local choirs performed in support of the work of WaterAid. It was a great evening, with some memorable performances, including an appearance by our own Victoria and Mr Mike Dore. Thanks to all who came along and supported.

This week is a second Wednesday week, so if you have a 2to4 Group, you might want to meet up with them. If you don't, why not invite someone else from the community over for a drink and a natter?

Oh, and don't forget to hang on to plastic trays in preparation for a week Wednesday, when we'll be looking at food chains and grow your own.

That's all for now. Enjoy your week and see you soon!

Grow your own

With concerns over the complexity of our food chains and the sad demise of Richard Briers, aka Tom from the Good Life, it seems timely that this month we're looking at growing your own food - whether a simple planter with herbs on the window sill or a more ambitious allotment, everyone can grow something. Come along and discuss the issues and have a go at starting your own kitchen garden.

If you can, bring along a small plastic container (the sort that cheery tomatoes or blueberries come in)...

Wednesday 20th March
19:30-21:30
Coffee Republic, North Finchley

See you there!

Sing for Water - This Saturday

A short reminded that Sing for Water - An evening of song in support of WaterAid, is taking place THIS SATURDAY at St Barnabas Church. 

Come along and enjoy and eclectic mix of song from North London choirs, including:

London Youth Gospel Choir

Barnet A Level Music Centre Choir

Queen Elizabeth's School Choir

Vocalis, Mill Hill County High School

The Rowantree Choir, Enfield

Jubilo, St Barnabas Church

Doors open at 7pm. Refreshments available.

Tickets: £7.50 on the door / £5 for under 16s.

For further information contact northlondonwaids@hotmail.co.uk

IF, the UN and a mysterious request

Great to see lots of you at our gathering last Wednesday and special thanks to Natalie and Ian for the fascinating ideas and insights on Fairtrade and ethical consumerism.

At that session, Victoria highlighted the Enough Food... IF Campaign and challenged us to arrange a meeting with our local MPs to raise the campaign with them. Following that discussion, Victoria has identified some resources to help us with that challenge. These include a briefing note to share with your MP (and handy for reminding you what the campaign is about too!) and a longer Executive Summary. 

Victoria and I have set up an opportunity to meet with Theresa Villiers on Saturday 9th March for those living in Chipping Barnet, while Dave is speaking to Mike Freer's office for those in Finchley & Golders Green. We'd like people to come along with us and will be preparing for those meetings at our next pub session (this coming Weds, 8pm at The Catcher in the Rye, Finchley Central).

Two other things to flag: 

Firstly, that our esteemed member Ann-Marie is speaking at the UN in the coming days. We're very excited that our local Network has such a wide reach! If you're the praying type, do remember her this week.

Secondly, hang on to your plastic tubs (of the sort that fruit and veg sometimes come in) and bring them along to the next cafe session, where they'll be put to good use...

See you again soon!

Raiding the aid budget to pay for defence?

An interesting comment on the potential ripple effects of passporting DFID resources from development to peacekeeping:

"Campaigners point out that using the aid budget to pay for peacekeeping leaves the Ministry of Defence with more to spend on war."

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/02/problem-camerons-plan-raid-aid-budget-pay-defence

What do you think?

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