Blogs

Here's a few more articles, picture and videos that have made me think, made me smile or made me laugh.

The upcoming issue of 'Grassroots' is so full of news, reports from SCM groups and events and fun stuff that Fr. Simon Tibbs' (XYMonday, Old St Paul's Edinburgh) report on his fascinating on-foot pilgrimage to Walsingham, Norfolk only has a brief mention! He also made an appearance on BBC News!

Ah term is over and at least in theory there's much more free time to be had. I've been using some of this time to surf the internet and here is some of the interesting things I've found which you might enjoy reading.

Many SCM activities - both locally and nationally - revolve around food! Whether that's a simple meal before an SCM weekly meeting, a celebratory meal at Christmas or the end of term, or getting involved in making flapjack for hungry people at a national gathering.

I was recently reading an article on Christian Socialist Movement theology section which I found fascinating - so I thought I'd share it. It talks about the famous missioner Lesslie Newbigin and how his Christian journey was shaped, partially by SCM and the relationship it had with CU in the past. It got me thinking: what can we learn from yesterday's problems (and mistakes, even)? What is at the heart of mission? Do we recognise others as Christians? Is this the desirable goal?

SCM's AGM and summer celebration
4 - 6 June, Heslington Church, York

A weekend of sunshine, discussions, drama, elections, creativity, debate, plainsong, flapjacks and washing up.

Enjoy the photos below and if you have stories / photos to share from the weekend then please visit the SCM forum and post them there.

I was struck today by the words of a prayer for Christian Aid week: "Loving God, today, this week, this year, move us to bring in your Kingdom."

We are coming to the end of an academic year where, within SCM, in groups, in discussions, at conference and gatherings, we've been thinking about how we live out our faith.

For some, particularly those graduating this summer, and all who are grappling with choices and decisions - and trying to discern our calling - this will have been an unsettling time. I think perhaps the prayer above is something to carry with us. A reminder to be mindful and alert, each day, of the challenge and invitation that is there - to bring in God's kingdom.

Gordon met Gillian, now Dave's just met Elizabeth. Mr Cameron is our new Prime Minister and the end of the world is nigh, or at least it is if you believe some people I know. In the age of slacktivism, facebook is littered with friends – even the Christian ones – “crying”, “afraid”, “mourning”, “doomed” … in a generally apocalyptic frame of mind. Horror of horrors, the hackneyed R.E.M. song is doing the rounds again.

The Mission issue of Movement magazine should have now arrived at your door and we've now begun work on the next issue. The next issue will be the Freedom Issue and we want some of your art to go in it. Anything that you've done that you think relates to freedom: photos, paintings, drawings, poems, whatever. If we do think that your art is lovely and it makes its way into the magazine then you will get a free copy of the magazine and maybe even a prize for the best one! Send it all to editor@movement.org.uk.

OK, so you are in an SCM group and caught up in revision and exams. Freshers' week is probably the last thing you want to think about. You don’t want to wish away the summer and think about September yet but planning your Freshers' week and autumn term activities now can take away a lot of the stress later on!