Join The Secretary of State for the Environment, Caroline Spelman MP, and other influential leaders to debate sustainable development and Rio +20

Sara has highlighted an interesting event that is taking place next Wednesday at Methodist Central Hall. This is not a usual evening for JM gatherings, so some of you will have other commitments, but if any of you would like to join us in going along, please let Sara know so she can arrange seats. Alternately, contact Tearfund directly and we'll see you there! Some information about the event is below.

"Ahead of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June 2012, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Progressio and Tearfund are organising a public discussion, considering the distinctive arguments and solutions offered by Christian perspectives to the vital topics for debate at Rio+20. 

The event will take place on Wednesday 23rd May in Central Hall Westminster, London SW1H 9NH (Tube: Westminster, St James) at 6.30pm."

Journey

Thanks to everyone who came along last night. For anyone that wasn't there, we spent the first part of the evening (after coffee and cake, of course) visiting several way stations around the room, each of which contained items and quotes to encourage reflection on different elements of the journey we have each been on as individuals and as activists to get us to where we are today. Having spent some time in quiet reflection, we then had the opportunity to share something of what we had been reminded of within small huddles.

 We had designed the session to be an opportunity both for inward reflection, and also to develop more meaningful relationships between members. Everyone appeared to be getting into it, so I hope you felt it met those ambitions. If you weren't there you also missed Ryan sharing some of his experiences from his recent trip to the townships of Cape Town. Some inspiring, challenging and encouraging tales which I'm sure he'll share with you if you ask him nicely.

Thanks everyone - keep up the good work and see you next month! Don't forget that we have a guest speaker on the 20th June, so bring your friends. More details to follow...

Restorative international justice

As the ICC approaches its tenth Anniversary and makes its first conviction, we invite you to participate in an engaging and enlightening one-day debate to review the effectiveness of this highly controversial court.

A free event on ICC & restorative International Justice with a special emphasis on Africa. The debate will streamed live online to a global audience and can be viewed on www.ic-events.net. Participation is free but seats are limited. To register please sign up via http://theiccofthefuture.eventbrite.com/

For more information please visit http://www.ic-events.net/icc_of_the_future/index.php 

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Go green in Barnet

Interested in reducing your electricity bills, finding about green energy efficient solutions and reducing your carbon footprint, not just for your own home or business but even for our Borough? Yes? Then don't miss this FREE event by Energise Barnet- taking place on 28th May from 6.30 to 8.30 pm.

http://energisebarnetvolunteers.eventbrite.co.uk/

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Activists Assemble!

So, did you enjoy the summer? Felt like it came and went in a blink (well, a weekend anyway)...

This Wednesday we are meeting at Coffee Republic for our Activists Networking event. Starting from 7:30pm with coffee and cake, we will be spending part of the evening reflecting on our individual journeys into activism and part of the time sharing those stories with each other. We hope that this will remind us of influential and inspiring moments that we can celebrate, as well as hurdles that we have overcome, and that in sharing our journeys with one another, we might be encouraged, challenged and develop stronger bonds between individual members.

Please make the time to join us for this session. If JM is to move beyond being a just another intellectual discussion group, we need everyone to take responsibility for developing the community and their place within it. So come along, buy some coffee (seriously - we need to spend enough on food and drink to keep our venue hire costs down) and get stuck in. Don't worry if you haven't been along for a while (or ever) - we'll be thrilled to have you back (or along for the first time); we need everyone to make this radical little adventure a success.

See you on Wednesday!

A counter cultural mission

He executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, He lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves those who live justly. The Lord watches over the immigrant and sustains the fatherless and the widow, by he frustrates the ways of the wicked. (Psalm 146:7-9)

"In virtually all the ancient cultures of the world, the power of the gods was channeled through and identified with the elites of society, the kings, priests, and military captains, not the outcasts. To oppose the leaders of society, then, was to oppose the gods. But here, in Israel’s rival vision, it is not high-ranking males but the orphan, the widow, and the stranger with whom Yahweh takes his stand."

From Generous Justice by Tim Keller, 2010 (Paperback, p6)

Ann-Marie speaking at Choices Haringey

Its not too late to book your place at Choices Haringey event on 15th May 2012 when they will be hosting Ann-Marie Wilson from 28 Too Many (and Justice Matters) to talk about FGM and support for women in Haringey.

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