The NW NJPN E BULLETIN for June 2024 leads with reports of the escalation of violence in Rafah in southern Gaza. Pages 2-4 give details of the Balfour Project Conference next Thursday, 6 June. On pages 4-5 there’s a report of last Wednesday’s illustrated talk by Nick Bilbrough, founder of the educational charity Hands Up Project. Nick shared the stories behind two short plays put together by young people in Palestine and gave updates on the current situation. The talk accompanied a touring exhibition Moon Tell Me Truth, with art and poems from the children of Gaza, three of which are featured in this month’s bulletin.

The bulletin includes a list of organisations that have put together resources, with useful links, to help us prepare for the General Election (see page 7). Page 8 gives details of NJPN’s Conference (19-21 July) on the theme ‘Just Politics’ and page 9 has an excellent reflection by Jenny Sinclair of Together for the Common Good to guide our deliberations when we vote. She writes: “The framework of Catholic Social Teaching can help: sometimes referred to as the theology of the Holy Spirit in practice, it infuses our deliberations with both the transcendent and the rootedness of real life.”

Forthcoming events include the Great Big Green Week, a celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature; Refugee Week and the Big Ride for Palestine; with a packed diary of events across the North West region, including Pax Christi’s AGM this coming Saturday in Liverpool or online (see the diary page for details).

Please read and pass on to others.

Best wishes

Anne O’Connor

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin June 2024