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I took this picture today, and have posted it to my Blipfoto Journal and Tumblr. I’m using the opportunity to post it here to expand my thoughts and provide links to some reflective verses. The words It is finished of Jesus from the Cross were not words of defeat, but words of victory. This was the culmination of Christ’s earthly mission and ministry, a moment of triumph vindicated by the Resurrection. You can read the passage from John’s Gospel here.

A law came into force in France today banning the public wearing of the Muslim veil. It seems to me that this position is flawed, and that anyone should have the freedom to wear what they like in public. If you get past the knee-jerk reactions, Islam can actually feel threatened by the West, and when any group feels under attack their culture and identity is reasserted. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m totally against women being forced to wear the veil culturally or religiously by a male patriarchy – but equally, I’m against a secular state forcing women not to wear it. Many Muslim women, including those I’ve spoken to, wear the veil to express their culture and religion, and are not forced to do so! Indeed, I’ve spoken to Muslim women who’ve had their veils torn off in racist attacks, and the perpetrators are rightly condemned by all fair-minded people. France, by bringing in this new law, are making the removal of the veil from women against their will somehow acceptable. So, putting aside all other questions for the moment, how EXACTLY is the French ban on the veil going to promote peace, love and understanding within society? My Muslim friends and leaders in Leicester fully support the right of Christians to wear crosses. So Christians who support the ban had better think long and hard, because I suspect they might be the first to cry foul if a secular government tried to ban the public wearing of crosses!

One of my current responsibilities is being part of the Chaplaincy Team at the University of Leicester. The following is taken from our publicity material, and I thought it would be helpful to share it here.

The Chaplaincy team is drawn from a wide range of Christian traditions, although we’re here for everyone – for groups and societies, for individuals, of all faiths and none. We hope to be able to meet you around the campus to offer support and encouragement, positively contributing to the life of the University, and enhancing the experience of both staff and students.

When needed, a Chaplain can be a friendly and independent listening ear – someone to confide in. Our Chaplaincy building provides a space to think, somewhere to worship or pray, a listening ear, or just a relaxed opportunity for a cuppa and chat. In addition we have work spaces, discussion groups and much, much more! Our team has a wide variety of expertise and may also be able to help in other ways. Please have a chat to one of the Chaplains and you may be surprised at our backgrounds and experience!

The picture links to our site, and you can also find us on Twitter: @UoLChaplaincy

One of the objectives of this website is to share information about books I’ve read, and a Sunday seems an appropriate day to tell you about this Christian devotional book. Alister McGrath is a Christian theologian and apologist who has the gift of clear communication with an easily readable style. In this book he takes you into his confidence about a personal experience of faith in Jesus Christ, combined with a scholarly approach.

He outlines how Christ is to be known in our minds, imaginations, hearts and memories. How he can be known in our loneliness, anxiety, doubt and suffering. He describes how he can be known through his encounters, images and benefits. Some of the barriers to knowing Christ are detailed, and he finishes the book with ways in which Christ can be known. This is straightforward Christianity without the ‘cringe factor’ and I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

The Bishop of Leicester as been reflecting on the dramatic events in the Middle East and North Africa, and has suggested that we ask ourselves some important questions, even though the full consequences and significance of what’s happening cannot yet be fully grasped.

Firstly, do we need to rethink some of our assumptions about freedom within Muslim countries? The demonstrators are clearly wanting the freedoms, rights and opportunities we enjoy. Secondly, what does it tell us about about politics in an age of social networking and mass communication? People now have the means to mobilise themselves against dictators, and are “not fundamentalist Muslims clamouring for Sharia Law, but citizens who seek the freedom to voice their opinions and change their societies in very much the same way as we do”. Thirdly, what do we mean by “Western values”? Because patterns of thinking are changing in front of our eyes.

He concludes, “That is an inspiring vision for all of us. As a Christian I believe we should be praying for those who are risking their lives for change at the moment. And perhaps we should be praying too that we will have the wisdom to see and to understand the meaning of the changes that are happening and to support a vision of a more peaceful and just world”.

You can read more here!

Today is Education Sunday, a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone involved in the world of education. For more than 100 years there has been an annual recognition of Education Sunday in England and Wales (traditionally on the ninth Sunday before Easter). 2011 marks the bicentenary of the National Society (of the Church of England), one of the many denominational providers of church schools. The church schools it established (and which it continues to support) helped lay the foundations for mass, and, later, free school provision in England.

This year’s theme is Firm Foundations because one understanding of education is laying the foundations needed for life. In Christian terms we see Jesus Christ as our foundation and whether we are educators at school, church or home we need to build on that foundation with regard to our faith.

Currently I have the opportunity to worship at Leicester Cathedral on Sunday mornings (no, I haven’t left the Salvation Army) and I find it very helpful sharing with the people there, many of whom are good friends. It’s also good to receive the bread and wine as physical symbols of the body and blood of Jesus, who died and rose again for us. In addition, I enjoy the music of the choir and organ which is of a high standard.

This morning Canon Barry Naylor reminded us of the need to place the qualities of the Kingdom of God at the centre of education and to help everyone develop their full potential: not simply imparting knowledge, but building a just society based on the equality of all people.

So you might like to pause for a moment to consider ways you might be able to further these aims, support the work of our schools, colleges and universities, and be an educator in your everyday life – by the way you live and the example you set!

I was up bright and early this morning to cycle to Leicester Cathedral for a bi-monthly breakfast at 7.30 am. Invitations from the cathedral team go out to people who work in the city centre as an opportunity to network, listen to a guest speaker and ask questions. This morning’s guest speaker was Aatin Anadkat, the managing director of Hotel Maiyango in Leicester. He has a commitment to the local economy, and has built links with educational establishments and community groups. Aatin likes to give young people a chance, and is involved in training them to work in teams at the highest quality. His interesting talk showed a passion for supporting suppliers and services in Leicester. It’s good to regularly meet people who are so positive about what can be done to improve the life of the city.

The Salvation Army has today announced its new world leader and the 19th General will be Canadian-born Commissioner Linda Bond. Commissioner Bond becomes the third woman and the fourth Canadian to hold the post of General of The Salvation Army since the international church and charity organisation was founded 146 years ago.

The commissioner, who currently heads up the church and registered charity’s work in the Australian Eastern Territory, was elected by The High Council of The Salvation Army made up of senior leaders from around the world who met this week in Sunbury-on-Thames near London.

Commissioner Linda Bond (64) will have the title General-elect until she succeeds the current world leader General Shaw Clifton, who retires at the beginning of April.

As General of The Salvation Army, the commissioner will be the head of more than one million Salvationists in 123 countries. The Salvation Army also has more than 100,000 employees who communicate in 175 different languages.

In recent days and months, The Salvation Army has been involved in relief work in the aftermath of the Australian floods, the devastating mudslide in Brazil, floods in Sri Lanka, and the New Zealand earthquake.

Commissioner Bond comes to the role of General of The Salvation Army with 42 years’ experience of Christian ministry and leadership. Since 2008 Commissioner Bond has headed up The Salvation Army’s work across Eastern Australia, a huge territory with its headquarters in Sydney. This includes the recently devastated state of Queensland where The Salvation Army continues to be heavily involved in assisting victims of widespread flooding. Prior to this, the commissioner worked at Salvation Army International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, as the Secretary for Spiritual Life Development and International External Relations. This was her second spell at IHQ where she had previously served as Under Secretary for Personnel in the mid 1990s.

As a Salvation Army officer (ordained minister of religion and leader) Commissioner Bond has served in local corps (church) ministry, on the staff of Salvation Army national and regional (divisional) headquarters and as part of the training staff for new officers in her home territory of Canada and Bermuda. During those years she also served as a divisional and subsequently a leader of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.

Other appointments have included divisional leadership roles in the Manchester region of the United Kingdom between 1998 and 1999, and as Territorial Leader in the USA Western Territory of The Salvation Army.

Note: This is part of an official Salvation Army press release (with some minor changes).

The candidates for the nineteenth General of The Salvation Army were announced yesterday. From the left they are Commissioners John Matear, Christine MacMillan, Barry Swanson, William Roberts, Max Feener, Linda Bond, Robert Street, William Francis and Dick Krommenhoek. Commissioner James Knaggs declined.

I’ve noticed from comments on Facebook and Twitter that many people would have liked to see Commissioner Betty Matear as one of the candidates. Unfortunately, although this might have been acceptable in western countries, because the Salvation Army is an international movement there is a difficulty. In many countries and cultures it would be very problematic for a wife to be seen as ‘in charge’ above her husband, whether we like it or not. But I can remember when (even in the UK) she would have been known as Mrs Commissioner Betty Matear! So culture can change and equality become a reality!

Note: See my related post on this subject by clicking here!

Update: Commissioner Linda Bond is the new General! (Monday 31 January 2011)

You may have been drawn to this post by the unusual title! In the UK, an ASBO is an Anti-Social Behaviour Order given by the courts to people who are deemed to be constant trouble in their neighbourhoods. The cartoons always give you something to think about, and often have a sting in the tail! Incidentally, I chose this particular cartoon because it relates to the post What is Reality?