Log in Subscribe
The week in focus

Connecting to the world right now

In touch

Check-in

Intercessions
In touch begins
immediately below		 Scroll down
or click for Check-in		 Worship Together subscribers only:
see intercessions

 

In touch

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

Turning anger to acceptance

What does Isaiah 2:1-5 say to our society about turning weapons into welcome signs?

 

Context

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

Violence and oppression, or vision and opportunities? The recent Tommy Robinson rallies that have inspired some younger men in particular to explore Christianity raise questions:

  • Are they doing this for the appropriate reasons? Or is there a sense of nostalgic nationalism at play here that has little to do with the the core principles of the Christian faith in Jesus Christ?
  • Are people defending something they never had, simply because they fear what others might put in its place – i.e. faiths other than Christianity?
  • In what ways are there opportunities here for the Church to genuinely encourage those exploring Christianity, without weaponising it?
  • Whilst the Church should welcome all comers, so as not to detract potential faith explorers, how can it also protect those who are vulnerable to the vitriol of far-right politics? Advent 2025 might just be that opportunity to enable some people to glimpse the light in the darkness, to set aside weapons of anger and love their neighbour.

People in society in the UK are scared for all sorts of reasons. In particular they fear to lose an idealised model of society that they think once existed. But fear can lead to intolerance of other faiths and immigrants. Following his recent experiences of trying to walk the way of Christ amongst those at recent Tommy Robinson rallies, the Bishop of Kirkstall, Arun Arora, asked : “How can we disagree well?” How can we open the lines of communication with those who express extreme views about the people they share a country with?

Isaiah’s model of Kingdom building, which sits so well alongside Jesus’ teaching, does not seem to reflect the Tommy Robinson approach to Christmas. Robinson’s worryingly threatening approach to putting ‘Christ’ back into Christmas, seems to miss the point reflected in the light of the Gospels, of a Messiah who challenged powerful aggressive and oppressive national leaderships with a message of love! Isaiah tells the people of his day that they are taking the wrong approach and that they should be encouraging peace. They (and their use of the Temple) are missing the point, rather than trying to be the best example of God’s love that they can be. Isaiah’s famous call to transform weapons into farm implements, is a reminder to us that we still have a lot lot to do to fulfil his vision of Zion several thousand years later! As we once again begin the season of Advent we only have to glance at the place of Jesus’ birth, the so-called ‘holy-land’, to be reminded more than ever that we need to set aside weapons of war, to come together to take up the tools of tolerance and peace, and so to walk in God’s light!

 

Questions for discussion

  • Bishop Ceirion Dewar (a bishop in the small, conservative, traditionalist Confessing Anglican Church) was invited to lead the start of Tommy Robinson’s rally in prayer. He accepted the request as he felt it was his "Christian duty”. He said he saw thousands there who sincerely felt that Great Britain was "founded on Christian principles and from the Christian faith" and that this was being “eroded". How does this view relate to the model of faith taught in Isaiah 2:1-5?
  • Advent is about being ready, as we are reminded in Matthew 24:33-44. How ready or prepared was the person who discovered a valuable painting of the Madonna and child in their garage for what happened when it was sold at auction? How might your church use the discovery of such an unexpected Christmas gift to fund the building of relationships within diverse local communities? 
  • The Archbishop of Canterbury-elect Sarah Mullally recently described the UK as a divided society, warning "people are frightened for lots of reasons, and often that then presents in ways that, for other people, may feel threatening”. How can Isaiah 2:1-5 help us to address people’s fears for society and turn hatred into tolerance?

Tim Lowe is a minister of the United Reformed Church, serving in the Leeds URC Partnership. He lives with the challenges that narrow mindedness brings to the diversity of people within the city. However, he is yet to discover a valuable painting in his garage that will pay for repairs to his church’s leaking roof!

 

Check-in

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

Wicked 2 has just been released grossing $225 million over its opening weekend, making it the biggest opening for a Broadway film to date. I will not write any spoilers in this piece. However, I can say that we see a struggle; a fight between good and evil; tension boils over; and all is in chaos. The plot line reflects real life globally with its wars; highly contentious peace negotiations; and tension boiling over in multiple locations; and, closer to home, in our own lives.

Isaiah describes a beautiful vision of peace and light. Yet, in the brief moments of ‘peace’ in our lives, who finds themselves becoming restless and seeking action? In Wicked they famously sing, ‘Because I knew you, I have been changed for good’ so let us come to know God, and prepare ourselves for peace so it doesn’t feel so awkward. Let us pause our storms and not engage with the chaos. Let’s swap the script by replacing doom scrolling with a prayer journal. And let’s create times of stillness where we can be by ourselves with God.

Lindsay Wright is a freelance writer and designer from Lancashire www.startswithabrew.co.uk

 

Views expressed are the authors' own. Hypertext links to other websites are for the convenience of users only and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by Roots for Churches Ltd.

The week in focus is also available via facebook and Instagram.

Roots publishes weekly lectionary-based worship and learning resources online and in two magazines. FIND OUT MORE.