NW NJPN E BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2022
NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin November 2022
The NW NJPN E BULLETIN for NOVEMBER 2022 focuses on the COP27 talks, leading with a dire warning from UN secretary-general, António Guterres. He says, “rich countries must sign a historic pact with the poor on the climate, or we will be doomed – we are at code red for humanity.” Further details of the shocking humanitarian situation at the asylum processing centre at Manston have been uncovered over the past few days, with this week’s leader in the Tablet calling the current home secretary’s treatment of refugees “a policy that shames Britain.” Olivier de Schutter, the UN rapporteur on extreme poverty, says that austerity cuts may fuel further poverty across Britain and even breach human rights obligations. There are hopes that the recent a change of government in Brazil may benefit indigenous communities and the environment. We look at the winners of Index on Censorship’s 2022 Freedom of Expression awards with a particular focus on writer and journalist Andrey Kurkov, a hugely respected commentator on Ukraine. Student rallies show no sign of abating in Iran – the protests began more than five weeks ago over the death of the 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini while in police custody – she is remembered in a short poem based on her mother’s words. Pope Francis is currently visiting Bahrain as “a sower of peace.” Pact – the Prison Advice and Care Trust – the national Catholic charity providing support to prisoners’ and their families are inviting parish communities to support mums and dads in prison at Christmas through Operation Elf which enables prisoners to give their children a Christmas gift – there are details of the scheme. All this, plus information about Remembrance Sunday, Advent resources and a full diary.
Please feel free to copy and distribute the Advent resources and pass the bulletin on to others.
Best wishes
Anne O’Connor
NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin November 2022
AN ADVENT JOURNEY – Daily actions and reflections based on the scripture readings for each day
AN ADVENT JOURNEY [A4]
ADVENT REFLECTIONS 2022 – Scripture, reflections, poems and prayers
WEEK ONE: LIVING IN HARMONY WITH NATURE;
WEEK TWO: INVITING CHRIST INTO OUR LIVES;
WEEK THREE: WAITING WITH JOYFUL EXPECTATION;
WEEK FOUR: BRINGING HOPE
ADVENT REFLECTIONS 2022
NJPN Membership for Groups
NJPN Membership for Groups
Did you know that membership of NJPN is open to local groups as well as individuals? NJPN is a grassroots organisation, so we want to support people working for justice, peace or care of creation whether in their parish or local community. Membership of NJPN links you to a wider network, providing opportunities to meet with others for mutual support, to share ideas and experience, hear inspirational speakers and be kept up to date with campaigns of national agencies. It also supports the work of NJPN so we can keep providing those opportunities.
We now have an application form for local groups available from the Membership Support Co-ordinator at membership@justice-and-peace.org.uk or contact the office (or download from the website).
Click here to download
It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts; it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church’s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water the seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something and to do it well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
This prayer was composed by the late Bishop Ken Untener of Saginaw. Often attributed to Oscar Romero.
(and shared by the Southern Dioceses Environment Network)
Dear Friends,
Who would have thought that in the last four weeks that we would have had (yet another) change of Prime Minister, and a change around in the Cabinet – some good choices, some not so. The best news that I have had heard is that the ban on fracking has been put back, and there will be more about that later.
With COP27 in Egypt rapidly approaching, our main focus has to be the Climate, and I have lots of articles to share, and am going to have to whittle it down to a mix of news, actions and events as usual. I have to say that it was very daunting to find 194 emails in the E-Bulletin inbox when I turned the computer on during Friday evening. Apologies that I haven’t replied to everyone who has sent in items. Rest assured that as long as I haven’t missed the date on any events, I will include as much as possible.
As you can see from the above advert, we have our next Networking Day on Saturday 12th November in London. Unfortunately, as you will see from articles below, it clashes with other events going on in regards to the climate. We very much look forward to seeing those of you who are able to get there.
Due to this, it does mean that the next e-bulletin will be out around the 20th November. Please send any articles that you want shared by the Friday of that weekend.God Bless,
Sharon
NJPN Open Networking Day – Saturday 12 November 2022
The next NJPN Open Networking Day will be held at CAFOD, Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JB.
The day ‘A better kind of politics’ will be facilitated by the Quaker Truth and Integrity Group and will consider how shared ethical and spiritual values can lead to reconciliation between those with opposing views.
For further details contact:
NJPN Administrator,
Tel:02079014864
Email: admin@justice-and-peace.org.uk
Click here to download poster
Save the Dates: NJPN Open Networking Days 2023
Here are the dates for the 2023 Open Networking Days and AGM. Please save and share with your contacts and others who might wish to attend.
Meeting Dates 2023
NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin October 2022
The NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin for October 2022 looks at the recent Conservative Party Conference under the leadership of the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss. Elected by a handful of Tory Party members and not the first choice for the majority of her fellow MPs, she has had a shaky start with economic policies that have spooked the financial markets and resulted in a dramatic rise in interest rates. The decision to cut the 45% tax rate for the rich has now been reversed but, alas, the damage is done and, as usual, it is the poorest in our society who will suffer. It now seems likely that another humiliating U-turn is imminent, this time on benefit changes. The new government’s apparent lack of interest in stemming the tide of climate change is a concern for us all as George Monbiot’s hard-hitting opinion piece demonstrates. In the run-up to COP27 there are action ideas plus an invitation to a Heating & Energy workshop organised by Faiths4Change. Current reports feature the growing rebellion by schoolgirls in Iran; the war in Ukraine; ideas from Church Action on Poverty for Challenge Poverty Week and the award of a Nobel Peace Prize to human rights advocates from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.
Please read and pass on.
Best wishes
Anne O’Connor
NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin October 2022
NJPN E-Bulletin 2nd October 2022
Dear Friends,
What a fortnight it has been. There is so much going on, and none of it very good, that I don’t really know where to start in compiling this edition.
Firstly, Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral was beautifully done, and it brought the whole country together for those few hours. And then things changed…
In the course of around an actual week of working, our new Prime Minister and her Government have managed to trash the economy, and will potentially be ruining the environment. Interest rates are rising, as are fuel bills and food costs. I am just waiting for the bottom to drop out of the housing market (although possibly that is their plan).
Around the world there is hunger, devastation from Hurricane Ian, and of course the situation in Ukraine – and that is getting very frightening when you think about what Putin’s end game could be, especially as he is losing face.
On the plus side, the Government are hitting rock bottom in the polls, and Labour’s leadership are looking like a viable alternative. (although unless something happens to force the current Government out, we still have a two year wait until we are able to vote).
I have included a sample of as much as I can, but there was not enough space for everything.
The next e-bulletin will be out later than normal, and should be around the 30th October. I am taking a short break, and then have a work commitment the following weekend. If you could please bear that in mind when sending items to be included. Apologies in advance.
Stay safe, and keep well and warm,
Sharon
Autumn 2022 NJPN Newsletter
The Autumn 2022 edition of the NJPN newsletter contains numerous articles, including, but not limited to articles about this years conference, and much more,
Click below to open the latest newsletter
2022 Autumn Newsletter
NW NJPN E BULLETIN FOR MID SEPTEMBER
The NW NJPN E BULLETIN FOR MID SEPTEMBER leads with an editorial from Together for the Common Good to inspire us in the challenging months ahead – do consider signing up for their excellent publications. We have a wide range of articles on climate change plus reflections on the late Queen Elizabeth II from writers Jeanette Winterson and Frank Cottrell Boyce. The growing momentum behind the move for reparations for slavery and colonialism indicate that the end of the Elizabethan era may herald the break-up of the Commonwealth as some countries seek to break free. The recent elections in Sweden signify a lurch towards the right with alarming consequences. You can watch the Carnall Peace Award Lecture for 2022 on United Nations International Peace Day, September 21st, given by this year’s recipient Professor Paul Rogers along with many other zoom meetings and events in a very packed diary for the autumn.
Best wishes
Anne O’Connor
NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin Mid September 2022
