Wild horses couldn't keep me away !

Hamid Karzai's inauguration in Kabul was attended by 40 foreign dignitaries and a large crowd of Afghan Nationals. The city itself was quiet. a public holiday was declared. I watched some of the ceremony itself on Afghan TV. Nothing untoward has happened so far.

The BBC reported on the day. I also read some of the comments on the BBC discussion: Can this be a new beginning? So many were negative and written by people I can only presume have not got a clue about how things are here in Kabul. So I made the following contribution to the debate:

I am from UK but currently visiting Kabul. So far the Afghans I have spoken to seem pleased with the inauguration. One said that all the wild animals had been running wild in the zoo. Now most have been put back in cages. It takes time for any system of government to develop. Karzai is in between the rock and a hard place. Western preconceptions of what democracy should look like in a place like Afghanistan and militant commanders ready to run wild again. Give the man (and country) a chance.

There is a dignity about people here in Afghanistan and I discern a real desire to build the nation and restore normality (whatever that means). Karzai's Govt must make this work. The alternatives are unimaginable.

But even if the wild animals are loose again, the humanitarian work and Nation building needs to continue.

Wild horses couldn't keep me away from this place!

11:11:11 Remembrance

REMEMBRANCE

At 11am on 11th of November we have a tradition to remember all those who have fallen in Armed conflict, since world war one (The Original Armistace day was 11o'clock on 11th Nov 1918) The tradition is marked by 2 minutes of silence and it is an opportunity to remember those who have died (in every conflict: Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel-Palestine, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan to name but a few) and pray for those who grieve their loss and also to pray for peace in the world today.

The following is some of the material I used in services of remembrance

WDYTYA - who do you think you are?

Many of us have been into family history, so now Armistace Day is when I remember 2 great uncles, both killed in Ypres – Pvt 8936 Albert Edward Toms of the 2nd Suffolk Rgt was KIA in Ypres in Feb 1915, 4 days before his 18th birthday, one of 54,896 listed on the Menin Gate and Cpl 5021 Ernest Gibbons of the 1st Royal Irish Rifles, KIA 1st Oct 1918 (after fighting most of the war) He was 'buried' in Dadizeele, near Ypres.

Harry Patch the last fighting Tommy died this year so there were no more WW1 veterans taking part in remembrance services around the country. 'The old boys are leaving' A YouTube video commemorates his life to the requiem music from Band of Brothers.

WAR POEMS

Poetry can capture some of the conflicts and contradictions of War and can speak in very personal ways. The 2 poems I have chosen are written in 1915 and 2009

'In Flanders Fields' Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow 


Between the crosses row on row, 


That mark our place; and in the sky


The larks, still bravely singing, fly


Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.

Short days ago 


We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,


Loved and were loved, and now we lie 
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: 


To you from failing hands we throw 


The torch; be yours to hold it high. 


If ye break faith with us who die 


We shall not sleep, though poppies grow 
In Flanders fields.

HELMUND A poem by John Hawkhead

Author's introduction This poem concerns the current operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. My intention was to draw parallels between military operations using the poppy, which is grown extensively for opium and ironically is also the symbol we use for Remembrance Day.

Helmand



Night on the cold plain,


invisible sands lift,


peripheral shadows stir,



space between light and dark


shrouding secrets;


old trades draped grey.



Here too poppies fall,


petals blown on broken ground,


seeds scattered on stone



and this bright bloom,


newly cropped,
leaves pale remains,



fresh lines cut;


the old sickle wind


sharp as yesterday.



THE RED and THE WHITE

The red poppy speaks powerfully of Flanders and has become the symbol of Remembrance, whilst the white poppy brings us up to date to the opium fields of Afghanistan and has also become a symbol of Peace.

We used paper red and white poppies as prayers

Red Poppy – write the name of someone who has died who is known personallly ( or to an 'unknown Soldier') or the name of a conflict.

White poppy - write a prayer for World Peace - or a place or person needing 'peace'

We then placed the poppies in a bowl or on a table at the foot of the cross (to the music of Benedictus sung by Hayley Westenra)

PLAYING FOR CHANGE

Playing For Change as a group of musicians from around the world who have come together (vitually) to promote Peace. It seemed very appropriate to play their video War/No more trouble during the service

War has eroded religious faith for many but it was out of the context of a WW2 concentration camp, that this powerful expression of faith in the face of adversity was written by a Jew:

‘I believe in the sun even when it is not shining

I believe in love even when I cannot feel it

I believe in God even when he is silent….'

'That's the way it is' Asia CMS

Aamir from Pakistan has put together a little video about Asia CMS

If you are interested in becoming part of this great little team, then look us up on Facebook

and participate in a little of what God is getting up to in Asia ......

Morning Calm in Westminster Abbey, London

I attended Westminster Abbey sung Eucharist commemorating the 120th anniversary of the consecration of Charles John Corfe First Bishop of Korea.

The current Bishop of Seoul, Paul Kim, was the preacher - He spoke of Corfe a naval chaplain leaving a peaceful life in England to go to the wilderness of Korea in 1889. and the huge responsibility of creating something out of nothing. He was impressed by his 'faith, passion for mission and commitment' and this has in turn inspired the Korean Anglican church to 'listen to the cries for help of others' and to 'join hands with brothers and sisters in Asia'. The church has taken 'small steps to walk in Bishop Corfe's shoes'.

I was in Korea last month hearing about those small steps as the Korean International Mission (KIM) is forging relationships with Myanmar, Vietnam, Philippines as well as China. This is in addition to Korean priests serving in Japan, USA, Canada, UK, Zimbabwe N Cyprus and Mongolia. These are bold steps in the same pioneering spirit as Corfe.

The service had its moments of inspiration - as the choir sung the Gloria and later Agnes Dei - and my eyes were lifted to the huge stained glass rose window, a moment of 'morning calm' in the midst of a general busyness

I discovered that our very own Bishop of Guildford, Christopher Hill is the Vice-President of the Korean Mission Partnership which was formed to support this historic initiative of the founding and nurture of the Korean Anglican Church. Their magazine newsletter is called 'Morning Calm' - their August edition is downloadable as a pdf. You can also read about the history of Anglican in Corea (not a spelling mistake)

Afterwards we had wine and nibbles in the Abbey Museum courtesy of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey surrounded by Kings and Queens of England. An opportunity to mingle and meet the many Korean guests, for whom this was a very special occasion.

Korea is also known as the 'Land of Morning Calm'

ee it were grand

We went 'Up North' to visit my sister in Richmond and had a great break. On the drive up we kept seeing signs saying 'The North' never quite sure when we had crossed over from 'the South'. But we had a great time.

A day trip to York, walking along the Gates. window shopping and book-buying; a 2 hour guided walk lead by a voluntary guide around the medieval walls, and finishing off the day by attending Said Evening Prayer (BCP) at the Minster.

We also visited Easby Abbey a lovely walk from the restored Richmond Station, which is now cinema, art gallery, shops and Restaurant. we even bumped into people there we'd known from Karachi days - amazing.

But it is the simplicity of the countryside that was so evocative. Even in the cold and damp. The mist and biting winds. Autumnal colours and pristine beauty of the moors and cottages. Sheep and dogs. Maybe on this trip it was summed up best by Peter Boook's art which I 'discovered' for the first time even though I've seen the prints in my sister's house before.

It is well worth visiting his online gallery

Peter Brook, the Pennine landscape painter, was born in the winter of 1927. He taught art at Sowerby Grammar school before becoming a full time artist in his 40's. Peter has painted many areas of the British Isles including Scotland, Cornwall and the Potteries but his first love is the Yorkshire Pennines; often in winter. His paintings depict a vanishing world; a world of farmhouses on the moors, of mills, of people who inhabit the area etc and include an element of humour, which is so much part of Peter's character. Peter Brook married Molly in 1950 and they have two children. They live in West Yorkshire near his beloved Pennines and favourite woods. The Smithy Gallery

ee it were grand.

Playing for change : One Love

I have been totally inspired by a You Tube video 'Playing for Change'

Do check it out. Promoting 'peace through music'

For me it expresses something of a vision I have had for a long time from a summer school back in 2000, a dream or vision of CMS as:

‘A feast, a celebration, a multi-cultural event of ‘world music’, a rich variety, kaleidoscope, mosaic, tapestry, with colour and variety, great diversity and various harmonies. Cultural differences being apparent and exaggerated eg African drums, Irish Bodhran, Indian Tabla and Pakistani Nal/Dolak . But still a Unity : One world - a praise song expressing the ‘Love of God’ and celebrating a common humanity. An increasingly energetic drum beat (like the Millenium Song: ‘A Perfect Day’.) One song with many manifestations: With people from the margins at the centre of the song’ (‘addicts’, ‘criminals’ ‘prostitutes’,’ unemployed’, ‘disadvantaged’ as part of this great recovery movement)

That was written abck in 2000 and as you can see, 'Playing for change' really connects with that vision:

Playing for change have a new film out and suggest that people host a 'peace through music' party. Go for it !

Holy Ground

a space to encounter God Self and others in silance, reflective activity, creativity, community

'Holy ground is work in progress and will be shaped by those who come .... hosted by Trinity Methodist Church .... open to spiritual travellers from any church or none'

I went to the first evening (11th Oct) entiled 'In the Presence of the creator: reflecting on the wonder and worry of creation'. The next evening is Waiting for the Light: how do we wait in hope when darkness is all around. reflections for Advent in music, images and words (29 Nov)

for more details see their website

The centre piece was a creation table and the reading of the Genesis creation narrative.

Very simple and very moving.

then 4 activity stations

Chaos - newspaper clips and cuttings pinned onto a board

Order - laminated images cut up and as puzzles to be put back together

Creativity - clay modelling tro draw out individual creativity

Blessings - a 'mind map' of words of blessing around community, family, friends

Ambient music and reflective space

The evening was finished off with poem and (Cain) blessing

deep peace, pure white of the moon to you

deep peace, pure green of the grass to you

deep peace, pure brown of the earth to you

deep peace, pure grey of the dew to you

deep peace, pure blue of the sky to you

deep peace of the running wave to you

deep peace of the flowing air to you

deep peace of the quiet earth to you

deep peace of the shining stars to you

deep peace of the Son of Peace to you