infusenews

Jesus loves ASBOs

Inside the July 2008 issue of Youthwork Magazine, Anti-social behaviour….Why have 21st century young people been labelled 'antisocial' and what is the cause of this ongoing complaint? Kingston YFC Centre Director, Richard James suggests some explanations, and offers a way that youth leaders can engage with this issue.

What’s God got to do with it?

The very word ‘theology’ is a turn-off for many activists. Too often, theology seems abstract and disconnected from the reality of day to day community work. Often a gap emerges between the activists and the reflectors to the detriment of both sides. But we believe that for social activists good theology can be like the roots of a healthy tree –it can resource, nourish and sustain effective community mission. This interactive and fun day will offer an alternative to an academic approach. It will help you reconnect your work to your deepest convictions and gain vision for how to integrate a down to earth theology into your front line work.

The day will include:

• Unpacking key theological ideas that underpin community mission
• Maintaining the Christianity in our Christian community projects
• Inspiration for seeing success through Jesus’ eyes rather than our funders?
• Practical ideas to help you and your team think theologically in your community work
• The facilitator for the day is Mark Perrott, who has worked in the inner city for 18 years.

He spent six years working for the Earls Court Project with those caught up in homelessness and life-controlling issues. He is now Chief Executive of the Catalyst Trust and pioneered Urban Mission Toolkit, a year-long practical course for Christians who want to learn to put their faith into action in the midst of urban poverty. He has helped many people gain fresh vision and excitement for urban mission. To book: Contact Jill Clark on 020 7452 2018 or jclark@livability.org.uk Takes place Wednesday 11 June 9.45am - 3.30pm

(We start promptly at 10.00am) £10/person to be paid on the day (includes lunch) Salvation Army Territorial HQ, 101 Newington Causeway, Elephant and Castle, SE1 6BN

OXYGEN MInd the Gap

A gap year with Oxygen is a journey of discovery, it is one when people enter into a period in their lives when they are given a chance to discover Jesus for themselves whilst also seeking to reveal Jesus to others.

Each year, Oxygen takes on up to 10 people, usually aged 18 – 25 to come together in this MIND THE GAP adventure. They come together in times of sharing, teaching and exploration learning to rely on God, before heading out into streets, clubs and churches seeking to serve and relate to young people they meet.

We believe in Jesus’ own instruction when he called for people to go out and be involved in mission and discipleship. As he showed us, it is as we respond to this call so we are transformed by the people we meet, just as we hope and pray that they are transformed by meeting us. This is why Oxygen’s MIND THE GAP is not a GAP year but rather a chance to respond to Jesus instruction to be involved in the work of the Kingdom.

MIND THE GAP is not about people coming to serve us, but more about us going on a journey together to discover what God’s will is for ourselves and the young people that we meet. Our hope is that Oxygen is a place where both young people and workers draw closer to God and closer to each other.

So if you or someone you know wants to find out God’s plan and pattern for life. All we ask if that you love God and love young people and are willing to be challenged, trained and supported through something that will affect you not only for a year but for the rest of your life

For more information on Oxygen’s Mind the Gap scheme contact Debbie Garden

020 8547 0566

debbie.garden@oxygen-online.org  

Living as an ordinary radical?

Living as an ordinary radical: A dialogue with Shane Claiborne

Faithworks, Livability Community Mission and Tearfund are hosting a free discussion evening with Shane Claiborne, author of The Irresistible Revolution and founder of The Simple Way community in Philadelphia.

It takes place on Wednesday 30 April 2008 Church.co.uk, 1a Kennington Road, London, SE1 7QP 7:30pm Free To book: In difference to our normal events, booking is not necessary. Arriving early is recommended, though, as this event will be popular.

Contraception: Why not?

Professor Janet E Smith

Thursday 6 March 2008, Westminster Cathedral Hall, 7-9pm

Why does the Catholic Church keep insisting, in the face of the opposite position held by most of the rest of the modern world, that contraception is one of the worst inventions of our time? Thirty years ago the case in favor of contraception seemed eminently reasonable. But the widespread use of contraception has had so many devastating effects on marriage, the family, and society as a whole, that the Pope's predictions about it make him now look, it retrospect, like a modern day prophet.

Professor Smith offers a stimulating opportunity to seriously reconsider the modern enthusiasm for contraception. her message has captivated audiences all around the world, particularly married couples, those considering marriage, catechists, counsellors, doctors, priests and seminarians.

Janet Smith teaches Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Seminary Detroit USA.

Places are limited. Entrance fee: £5.
Please register at cathmacgillivray@rcdow.org.uk
020 7931 6064  
see more at 

            Download janetsmith.pdf (75.2K)

Return of deep thinking

This year, the borough’s Arts Office has teamed up with the Institute of Ideas for what promises to be a feisty discussion on free speech, chaired by the IoI’s director Claire Fox (Radio 4, Moral Maze contributor), alongside an interesting panel of guests including gay rights activist Peter Tatchell and Jonathan Heawood, Director of English PEN.In another event, to coincide with Tara Arts’ production of The Tempest at the Rose, director Jatinder Verma will be giving a special post-matinee talk at 4.30pm on 28 February (free to anyone who has bought a ticket for The Tempest).

Tara Arts have been at the forefront of British-Asian theatre for the past 30 years.Other Think in Kingston highlights include a trio of distinguished philosophers – A C Grayling, Peter Dews and Julian Baggini.Most events are free, so do go along, put forward your points of view and meet the speakers. Full details on website.www.kingston.gov.uk/think-in-kingston To receive a copy of the printed programme, please phone 020 8547 5205 and leave your name, address and phone number.

Local News - Return of deep thinking

So Television looking for Young People

So Television in

London

are working on a project for Channel 4 online and are looking for a variety of 16 – 21 year olds to take part.

They are looking for young people from all walks of life who are attempting to achieve self-set goals over the next year. They are looking for people who are hoping to improve their personal circumstances, get their lives back on track, and overcome various emotional, social and physical obstacles and issues. They are working alongside Channel 4 Learning and hope to include young people who will influence and motivate others in similar situations.

If you think this project is something you or someone you know might be able to help with contact them on 02079602012 / annas@sotelevision.co.uk.

 

Voluntary Sector Briefings

the latest Voluntary Sector Newsletter is available to download. Sent out by RBK's Patricia Turner, it covers all range of matters relating to the voluntary sector. You can download it from  the link below

Download volsectorJanuary2008.doc (86.5K)

Lent Endurance Challenge

Can you endure living as someone made destitute by the Government's policy for people refused asylum. That's the challenge for Lent (6 February – 22 March) 2008.

When someone’s case is refused, the Home Office allows them two weeks notice to leave their accommodation, at which time the financial provision of £37 a week will also be stopped. This is despite often having no means to leave the country either by land, sea or air. Many feel that their good grounds for claiming asylum have been poorly represented or they simply fear returning to their home country & so are forced to begin to live a life of utter destitution.It is at this stage where government policy on immigration & asylum creates ‘Living Ghosts’. They are essentially airbrushed out of existence as ‘failed’ asylum seekers, but they remain here & this reality goes unnoticed by society at large.Some receive support of a basic food parcel from destitution projects across the country -these are often facilitated through the goodwill & charity of faith & community groups working together with the British Red Cross.Your Lent Endurance Challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to live the life of a refused person seeking asylum for one week, in order to give you but a just small insight of how these people experience poverty in the UK.

Download Endurancechallenge.doc (57.0K)

Ricky Gervais and The Archbishop of Canterbury - BBC 5 live

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