November News from Churches Together in Kent

In the last of our short series, Rev. Nicola Furley-Smith, Moderator of the Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church offers our final theological reflection.  A kingdom of peace Jesus said, The time has arrived: the kingdom of God is upon you.  Clearly, according to the angels who greet Jesus’ birth, this is to be a kingdom of peace.  In 2016 it seems to be far from upon us. It seems as distant now as it was in the time of Jesus when the land of his birth was occupied by a brutal Roman Empire. Part of why there is no peace, we are told, is because of religion and politics getting mixed up. I can’t help but think of the dangerous religious-political cocktails of crusade and jihad, colonialism and terrorism, inquisition and fatwa—manifested in anachronistic terms like holy war and redemptive violence. In contrast, the kingdom that Jesus portrays exercises its power not in redemptive violence but in courageous, self-giving love, and its goal is not victory on its own terms but rather peace on God’s terms. That peace—that shalom—means far more than an end to conflict; it evokes a balanced and integrated “life to the full.” Jesus speaks on many occasions about his radically different approach to power. He sees greatness in service instead of in domination. His vision is a world, a peace achieved not through violence, that is the peace that Rome was meant to have brought, but a world of shalom achieved through love, suffering and self-giving.  For at the heart of this kingdom is a cross. Yet Jesus took the Roman Empire’s instrument of torture and transformed it into God’s symbol of the rejection of violence and taught his followers a creed that love, not violence, is the most powerful force in the universe.  In other words, Jesus offers the world a choice: war or peace, violence or shalom. We are entering the season of remembering particularly all those who sacrificed their lives in the First and Second World Wars and subsequent conflicts. We may do well to remember the words of Martin Luther King Jr. who seemed to understand what was at stake: Through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can’t murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can’t establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can’t murder hate. Darkness cannot put out darkness. Only light can do that. Two thousand years of trying alternatives should begin to make us ready to consider that Jesus may have been more right, more practical, and wiser than we realized, and his message may have meant what it said about loving—not killing—enemies. When Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” when he spoke of turning the other cheek, walking the second mile, and giving freely, he was telling us that active peacemaking is the best way - the way of the kingdom. Rev. Nicola Furley-Smith Get ready for Interfaith Week National Inter Faith Week takes place this year from 13-20 November. Its aims are to strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels.The Inter Faith Week Toolkit is packed with suggestions for marking the Week and includes practical guidance and links to further information.

The Haven - Whitstable It's the time of year when many churches will be preparing for their involvement in their local winter shelter.  The Haven Project is a new initiative from Churches Together in Whitstable. This joint venture will be seeking to provide light refreshments, laundry and shower facilities to rough sleepers in Whitstable. If you are interested in getting involved, an information evening is being held on 9 November from 2-4pm at St. John's Methodist Church, Whitstable. Kate Grant from a similar initiative called the GAP Project in Broadstairs will also give a talk. For more details contact Rev Fabian Wuyts on 01227 652 130.  Covenant Champions The Anglican – Methodist Covenant Advocacy and Monitoring Group is looking to establish a network of volunteer Covenant Champions across nine regions in the country. The Covenant Champions will have a crucial role in promoting work being done on the Covenant. So if you are a lay or ordained person in the Church of England or the Methodist Church who longs for both churches to move towards fuller unity in mission, worship, and holiness, then get in touch. Details here (scroll down)  Ecumenism Today talk The Churches Together group in Goudhurst is hosting a seminar on 23 November on the subject of 'Ecumenism Today'. Anglican Bishop Stephen Platten and Roman Catholic Bishop Kevin McDonald will be speaking about the current state of ecumenism, before a time of open discussion. More details here Seeking Sanctuary - Christmas Cards and Little Bags of Love Despite the recent closure of the camp in Calais, support for those refugees and migrants now dispersed in France continues to be necessary. Seeking Sanctuary have produced a Christmas Card (£11.50 for five packs), featuring a beautiful picture of the Madonna and Child painted earlier this year by an Eritrean artist in the jungle. All proceeds to help support their work. They also plan to repeat last year's initiative – 'Little bags of love and hope' - with parcels containing suitable contents for the young men. If your parish or community would like to take part, or would like to purchase cards, please email migrantsupport@aol.com or call 07887 651117. He Said It – He Will Do It You are invited to the next He said It, He will Do It, prayer session for Kent at Life Church, on Thursday 10 November.  These sessions bring together Christians from all over Kent to come and pray for the county and nation. The emphasis this time will be on 'Increase' – the increase in our own relationship with God, the increase in the local church, in Kent and in the nation, as we see the light of Christ spreading His light. The day will begin as usual at 10am for coffee and will finish at 12.30pm. For further information please contact Philippa Lavender on 01303 240033 or plavender@lifechurchuk.org Premier Digital Conference The Premier Digital Conference, in partnership with the CODEC Research Centre, is back for 2016 packed with new ideas, tips and guidance to help you grow your online activity. Reach is this year's theme, with over over 30 sessions  to help equip you with new skills and inspire you with new ideas. Over 35 expert contributors will help unpack the issues and explore the implications of the digital revolution for you.Click to book today. WANTED! Motorcycling Evangelist Full Throttle is looking for a Christian Motorcycling Evangelist to work in South East Kent to promote the Lord and share the gospel with 16-25 year olds through the image of motorcycling. The role involves leading motorcycle courses known as The Rev Project and running weekly motorcycle youth clubs known as Kent Young Bikers with volunteers. You must have a full motorcycle licence and own and ride a motorcycle. For full details please email Tony Green, chair of trustees at AnthonyDGreen66@gmail.com Closing date for applications 30 November. Dover Outreach Project Apologies but in last month's edition the link to the new Dover Outreach Project didn't work. Please take a look at this new and exciting initiative and find out how you can get involved at:  www.doveroutreachcentre.org.uk/  Advanced notice of the Kent Workplace Mission's Chaplains' conference which takes place on Saturday 25 February, 2017 at the Kent Police training College in Maidstone. Focusing on 'Continual Development as a Chaplain' the day is open to all chaplains and not just workplace chaplains. Tickets are just £10 and you find more details here. One Week Without for Porchlight There is still time to sign yourself, or your church up to the One Week initiative for Porchlight. Starting on Homeless Sunday, 22nd January 2017 (or any other time that works for you), get sponsored to go without your choice of home comforts for one week.For posters, flyers and for more information go to www.porchlight.org.uk/oneweekwithout or call 01227 813199.

Chris Ruddle, the County Ecumenical Officer, is on sabbatical leave until mid November. That's why Newspoint is a little different at the moment. Thank you so much for those who have contributed to these Newspoint Theological Reflections. For any Churches Together inquiries, please contact Rev. Caroline Pinchbeck. Copyright © 2016 Churches Together in Kent, All rights reserved.