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!

From slavery to Independence Day

Great to see so many of you at our Coffee Republic gathering last week - our second highest turnout (after our Blood in the Mobile film screening back in the Spring).

I hope you found it encouraging to learn more about the work of International Justice Mission to tackle trafficking and slavery around the world. I was particularly impressed by their commitment not just to rescuing slaves, but to restoring human beings and the stories of those whose lives had been turned around through the efforts of IJM teams. If you didn't already sign up for updates, you can keep up to date with International Justice Mission UK via their website. Carol also highlighted an event this Wednesday that people might be interested in attending - the launch of a new government advocacy campaign with a talk from the Field Office Director of IJM Kenya. Details are in the flyer (download here) if you are interested. If anyone goes, do let us know - maybe you could share an update at the next gathering?

Something else you could attend this week, also on the theme of trafficking, is a screening tomorrow night (Tuesday) of a new documentary film called Nefarious: Merchant of Souls: "From initial recruitment to victim liberation - and everything in between - the previously veiled underworld of sex slavery is uncovered in [this] ground breaking, tell-all [documentary]." Sara and I are planning on going. Tickets are £10 in advance and the screening starts at 6:30pm in Leicester Square. More details are available on the film's website.

If neither of those appeal, then this week is also an excellent opportunity to get together with each other in smaller gatherings. As you know, we are keen for members to think about forming 2to4 Groups - self-organised spaces for folk to spend time getting to know each other better. This might be as simple as grabbing a coffee with couple of others and sharing what's going on in your week, going for a meal together or something themed around a particular issue or campaign. There aren't any set rules (though St Barnabas Church has published some handy guidelines), the purpose is simply to establish deeper relationships and more meaningful community between our members.

Our next first Weds of the month session is on 4th July and so coincides with American Independence Day. For fun, we propose joining up with the young adult network from St Barnabas for their 4th July BBQ. This will take place at the bungalow next to St Barnabas Church (42 Holden Road) from 7:30pm. I know that some of our members might consider themselves beyond the 'young adult' bracket, but Ryan said that we are all welcome to join in regardless. There will be live music from the excellent Feltoes' Folk (featuring our own Mike Dore and Lizzie's husband, Andy). Bring something to throw on the barbecue and wear something 'American'...

Final thing (phew): our Coffee Republic session in July will be on the 18th and will be on the subject of older people (exact details to be confirmed). With a guest speaker from AgeUK, this will be our last official session before the summer, so please make it along and help us end the term with a bang. More details anon.

That's all for now - have a great week!

Tonight!

Its the longest day and the sun in shining at last!

Just a final reminder that we are meeting this evening at Coffee Republic from 7:30pm. Come along for a coffee, a chat with some excellent people and to learn more about the injustice of human trafficking and modern slavery (and more importantly - what can be done to tackle it!)

Its free entry, so why not bring a friend...? 

See you there.

Weekly update

Did you know that more men, women and children toil in slavery now than during the entire course of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade? This illicit trade generates profits in excess of £6bn a year for those engaged in the sale of our fellow human beings. These are shocking statistics, but ones that should not be ignored.

We will be meeting this coming Wednesday (20th) at Coffee Republic for a session looking at the issue of human trafficking and modern slavery. We are very excited to have a guest speaker from rescue and anti-trafficking organisation, International Justice Mission, coming to tell us more about the subject, as well as encouraging stories of hope amidst the darkness.

Please make an effort to join us for what promises to be another thought-provoking and inspiring evening. As ever, doors will be open from 7:30pm, so come along for a coffee and a pastry before the session begins. (Our spend on refreshments is part of the way that we pay for use of the venue, so please do buy something to help us cover costs.)

See you there!

PS - Did everyone get in touch with their MP about the Rio Declaration on climate change and sustainability? Did anyone get a response? Do let us know if you hear anything...

An extra chance to change the world

Have you been enjoying the sudden summer?

There are five Wednesdays this month, so there is no JM meeting this week, meaning that you have an extra opportunity to make a difference in your own way. How are you going to use your spare Wednesday to make the world a better place? You could invite your neighbours over for a BBQ to build community in your street, or someone from Justice Matters that you would like to get to know better, you could write to your MP about an issue close to your heart, or you could get together with others and pray for each other and the world.

Whatever you choose to do, don't let the evening come and go without thought - be intentional about your time (even if its intentionally relaxing with friends). As the prophet Ferris said, "Life is pretty short - if you don't stop and look around in a while, you might miss it."

We are especially excited about our third Wednesday session this month, when we will he hosting a guest speaker from anti-trafficking organisation, International Justice Mission. Please highlight the date in your diaries (20th June) and invite your friends to join us for what promises to be an excellent and thought-provoking evening. We will kick off promptly at 8pm, so do come along from 7:30pm to get your coffee and cake in ahead of the main event.

Our next gathering will be 6th June for an informal discussion on a subject as yet unconfirmed. Details to follow shortly.


Enjoy the weather and the Jubilee celebrations - see you next week!

Summer Programme

One of the comments we received as part of our recent away day (full report coming soon) was that members wanted more information ahead of time on when our gatherings were happening and what they were going to be about. In response to this, we have sought to develop and share our summer programme in good time. I think you'll agree, we have an exciting and action packed term ahead of us. We hope you will join us over the coming months as we "learn to do right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widow". First, some information about our main, structured gatherings. These take place on the third Wednesday of the month at Coffee Republic. Refreshments available from 7:30pm.

16 May: Activist networking evening

It is said, "if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." With that in mind, this is an evening designed to meet and get to know other activists, through sharing stories and exploring the inspiration of our passion for justice. Our members told us they wanted more opportunities to get to know each other better - this is you opportunity to do just that.

20 June: Human trafficking and modern slavery

More people are held in slavery right now than during the entire course of the trans-Atlantic slave trade - a market that generates profits in excess of £6bn annually. Come and find out more about this injustice and how we can tackle it from anti-trafficking charity, International Justice Mission.

18 July: Older people

Like it or not, we are all getting older. However, in a society obsessed with youth, the experience of ageing is not always positive. Join us to learn more about the challenges facing older people from Justice Matters founding member and AgeUK policy officer, Lizzie Feltoe.

In addition to these structured gatherings, we will continue to hold informal discussion sessions on the first Wednesdays in the month. These start at 8pm and take place a various venues around the Finchley area. The next one of these will take place on 2nd May and will look at democracy and the London elections. Further sessions will take place on the 6th June and 4th July (venues TBC). We look forward to seeing you!