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In touch

Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues

Surprising love in action

Experiencing God’s surprising love in spreading love to our neighbours, especially those we find it hard to love. John 15:9-17

 

Context

Palestinian ceasefire and hostage return negotiations intensify and reports continue of children killed. Follow this live blog for latest updates. There are public protests around the world with citizens advocating for their governments to stop supplying arms; and the International Criminal Court investigates possible war crimes at Gaza hospitals. 

Deaths continue amongst refugees crossing the channel in small boats. Although other countries in Europe receive and grant more asylum applications, the British government continues its controversial plan to transport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

As poverty continues to leave increasing numbers hungry in the UK, pubs as well as churches and other faith and community groups are running foodbanks to support local residents. Meanwhile the government proposes changes to PIP payments, worrying many unable to work or needing additional help due to disability or mental health issues.

Child sexual abuse survivors run an international campaign #NotMyShame to remove stigma from abuse, as a major study into abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales finds that the church still needs to make major changes to its culture and safeguarding practice, especially its response to victims.

The local elections this week will provide an indication of how the major parties may fare in a general election.

Gender identity continues to cause controversy, as a Japanese publisher cancels a book contract, and the Living in Love and Faith work continues to divide the Church of England.

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

From countries at war to boundary disputes, there are many times that we find it hard to get on with our neighbours. Can we respond to the call from Jesus to bring peace (John 14:27) and love (John 15:17), even to situations of extreme conflict?

Love can be advocacy and ally-ship as well as care. How can we be stronger allies to victims and the vulnerable, for example supporting campaigns addressing food poverty, benefits and the stigma of abuse and mental health?

Local elections can help us to consider the neighbours in our community. Where do we give and receive love locally? Are there any surprises?

How do we love those we disagree with, when there is controversy and strongly held beliefs? What can God and the church bring to these often polarised debates?

Display a selections of photos of a wide variety of people – different ages, genders, sexes, disabilities, ethnic identities, nationalities, backgrounds. Who do we most relate to as our neighbours? Who do we struggle to accept and love?

 

Questions for discussion

• Is there more we can do, personally or collectively, to promote peace and help the victims of war?
• Who are the neighbours we struggle to love or welcome?
• What surprising places have we discovered love?

Jane Chevous is an activist, writer, sailor, and leader of Survivors Voices. She researches and writes about abuse, survivor theology, mental health and the sea.

 

 

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

It’s so easy to see things that divide us. Whether it be in political affairs, e.g. the leader of the Scottish National Party has had to resign this week due to divisions in Scottish politics; bullying at school which divides peers from each other; or quarrels with our siblings which can tear families apart. We can easily forget that we’re all part of the same human family.

And perhaps that’s why we are so pleasantly surprised when we do see those barriers broken down in a positive way. One such occasion was when our local Methodist church invited all of the different groups and churches who used the church building to come and share together. We had a wonderful time sharing Ghanian music, traditional Korean and Burmese clothing and dancing, British rock n’ roll...not to mention some truly delicious food!

Such cultural diversity within the same space - a clear demonstration of the breadth and diversity of God’s Kingdom. Something we’ll see again at this Summer’s Olympics, which are now less than 100 days away...

And yet it’s so easy for us to stay within our own community; to not engage with our fellow believers from different cultures and backgrounds, even though they may meet in the very same space that we do a few hours later.

At a time when we need to be engaging positively with difference, how can we break down that which divides us, and be Surprised by God in the process?

Jonathan Buckley is Youth Development Worker for YMCA Rotherham.

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