E-Coracle April 2013

News

Scrap Trident: let Scotland lead the way to a nuclear-free world

Many Iona Community folk were involved in the ‘Scrap Trident Weekend’, April 13th-15th.

On April 13th, over 2,000 people took to the streets of Glasgow to say Scrap Trident.

Watch a video of the event here (from the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament website).

Following non-violent direct action training and workshops in Glasgow on April 14th, folk blockaded Faslane nuclear base on Monday, April 15th.

Read a report about the blockade (from SCND).

Prayer

We believe that God is present in the darkness before dawn;
in the waiting and uncertainty
where fear and courage join hands,
conflict and caring link arms,
and the sun rises over
barbed wire …

From an Affirmation from Iona Abbey Worship Book,
Wild Goose Publications, www.ionabooks.com

The Lies We Tell Ourselves: ending comfortable myths about poverty

A report from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church, the Church of Scotland and the United Reformed Church

The Bible is clear in its warnings about injustice. The prophet Micah warns that when privileged people oppress those at the bottom of the pile, society will fail. Likewise, the prophet Isaiah warns that without truth there cannot be justice and righteousness in a society. ‘Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands at a distance; for truth stumbles in the public square, and uprightness cannot enter’ Isaiah 59:14 (NRSV). What are the truths that we are called to recognise and proclaim about our society today? (From The Lies We Tell Ourselves)

To download the Report

Ecumenical Accompaniers: working as human rights observers

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel is presently recruiting volunteers. Deadline for applications: June 21st.

For more information 

Members, associates and friends

Member Jan Sutch Pickard at the Wellspring Community in Australia

Member, liturgist/poet and activist Jan Sutch Pickard has been in Australia this spring visiting our friends at the Wellspring Community. Read Jan’s Australian blog

The GalGael Trust’s new online shop

Many Iona Community folk know about the wonderful work of the GalGael Trust in Govan – but what you might not know is that GalGael now has an online shop. Well worth checking out …

‘GalGael provides learning experiences anchored in practical activities that offer purpose and meaning.

We provide a space that serves as something of a safe harbour for those whose lives have been battered by storms such as worklessness, depression or addiction.

We offer a workplace that challenges, inspires and creates the conditions conducive to learning; a space where mistakes are not only made but owned as our best teachers, where issues are left at the door and new identities forged’ (from the GalGael website)

A year in Bwindi Hospital

Iona Community member Sarah Dinwoodie and her partner, Kieran, who are both doctors, are now working in Uganda at Bwindi Hospital.

Find out about Bwindi Hospital, in a video from the Guardian Global Development website:

Bwindi Community Hospital, from the Guardian

Recently, Sarah and Kieran visited Iona Community associate member Jenny Green, who is Director of Potter’s Village. ‘Potter’s Village is a child crisis centre in Kisoro, South West Uganda where abandoned and orphaned babies, teenage mums and destitute pre-school children are finding care and new hope.’:

Potter’s Village

Prayer

A Pentecost prayer

God of fire and beauty
warm us.

God of peace and justice
disturb us.

God of wind and wonder
amaze us.

God of Pentecost
kindle your love in our lives.

– Ruth Burgess

From Fire and Bread: Resources for Easter Day to Trinity Sunday,
Ruth Burgess (ed), Wild Goose Publications, www.ionabooks.com