LDCF magazine 2016/17 by Liberal Democrat Christian Forum

2016-2017

LOVING

Our Neighbours TIM FARRON SHARES WHAT THE CALL TO ‘LOVE OUR NEIGHBOURS’ MEANS FOR HIM

LIVING OUT LOCALISM POST-REFERENDUM REFLECTION MARK WILLIAMS - A NATION OF 4 COUNTRIES

LDCF: ABOUT US

NOTE FROM

the Editor

LDCF is a Christian voice in the Party and a voice of liberal democracy amongst Christians. We do this by: Speaking out about issues of injustice to impact policy and create change. Acting as a bridge between the Christian community and the Party through relationship-building and encouraging both communities to connect and work together. Inspiring Christians to become more politically engaged, to see politics as mission and a way of seeking justice for their community and nation. Underpinning all that we do with prayer, and praying regularly for our government and nation.

DO NOT MERELY LISTEN TO THE WORD, AND SO DECEIVE YOURSELVES. DO WHAT IT SAYS. James 1:22

You can join us in this vision, by attending our prayer meetings, becoming a member or making a donation - www.ldcf.org

Mia Hadfield-Spoor, Executive member of LDCF

n the run-up to the European Referendum, I spotted this quote circulating on Facebook: “When we have more than we need: build a bigger table, not a higher fence.” For me, this served as a strong reminder to consider how, as a Christian, I can love my neighbours better in all that I do. The more I thought about it, the more I was inspired to reflect on how loving our neighbours could be the foundation of our political work. Hence the theme of our magazine this year! The theme of this magazine seems particularly poignant during a year in which the UK went to the polls to decide our future relationship with the European Union and in which devolution has been driven up the political agenda.

The need to bear witness to the second commandment feels more urgent than ever: it is the basis for building a more compassionate and unified society through love and awareness of our interdependence. What does loving our neighbours mean for Liberal Democrat Christians? How does our commitment to loving our neighbour manifest itself in political life, in our churches, and in our individual lives? This magazine presents an opportunity to explore how we share God’s love with our neighbours and considers how we can reach more of our neighbours.

Please note that the opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessariliy represent the views of the Executive Committee of LDCF or the Magazine Editor

CONTENTS A reflection from the Director

A REFLECTION FROM the Director 03

LOVING OUR NEIGHBOURS Loving our Neighbours by Tim Farron MP

Living out localism by Lizzie Jewkes

A post-referendum reflection by Kirsten Johnson

A nation of four countries by Mark Williams

Renting, buying and selling off by Baroness Cathy Bakewell

The importance of listening by Clarke Roberts

Dare to disagree (well) by Mark Scott

REFLECTION AND PRAYER Diary entry: Claire Shepherd

7 acts of love by Mia Hadfield-Spoor

BEARING WITNESS

Bearing witness... In Politics by Sarah Dickson

Bearing witness... In Media

Liberal Democrat Christian Forum / 2016-2017

Sarah Dickson, Director of LDCF

ince becoming Director of LDCF in October, it has been a whirlwind of elections, events, conferences, TV and radio interviews and a whole lot more. It has been a real privilege to be working alongside such inspiring members and supporters of LDCF and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet lots of you. Thank you for all your support and encouragement!

As we look ahead, I am looking forward to what is to come and expectant that God will use us for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;such a time as thisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

We are in really extraordinary political times in Britain and in the wider world. Events in American politics are stirring the international community and dominating our social media; we are seeing a rise of the far-right in European countries; huge instability and uncertainty remains in the Middle East; and the future of the European Union is unknown.

In the meantime, enjoy reading through our 2016/17 Magazine!

As ever, please do drop me an email if you have any suggestions for LDCF. You can reach me at sarah@ldcf.org.

Yet, in the midst of all the uncertainty, I am certain that our faith-inspired voice of justice, equality, peace and unity is desperately needed. I am excited to see more and more people and churches moved to get involved in politics across the UK, with many individuals making decisions to join political parties. Rather than walk away, people are standing up to help create a fairer, more compassionate society where nobody gets left behind.

LOVING

Our Neighbours Tim Farron shares what the call to love our neighbours means for him as an MP and Leader of the Liberal Democrats

ove thy neighbour is something that, as a Christian, I take to heart. For me, it is an active thing: it’s not just thinking nice anaemic thoughts about others.

This, I believe, is also a tenant of Liberalism and Liberal Democrats of all faiths and none. We love our communities and want to make them better for all those in them. It makes us who we are. Many of us joined the Party because of this. It is what I call Community Politics. From helping neighbours when it snows, dealing with anti-social behaviour to things like building the homes we need in our areas

Liberal Democrat Christian Forum / 2016-2017

to helping in a foodbank. All these things both large and small make a difference. We, as a Party, are known for this and it is what we do better than anyone else. The Party’s commitment to serving and caring for our neighbours in all that we do in national and local politics makes me proud to be a Liberal Democrat. For me, loving our neighbours in a political context means acting

to help those who are in need even (or, indeed, especially) if it costs us to help them. It is about putting others before myself and my own career. It is about seeing the humans behind the statistics, headlines and political spin; standing up against injustices for the sake of individual people rather than obsessively playing party political games with their lives. And loving our neighbours is not all about talking the right talk (although us politicians admittedly do a lot of that!). If our actions don’t follow, the words are utterly meaningless. Loving our neighbours is doing community cleanups on a Saturday morning, continually writing to Government Ministers until they change their policies or spending an hour listening to a constituent who’s got a problem. I didn’t choose to get involved in politics to boost my own ego and boast in the limelight – I’m in the wrong party for that! But I got involved to serve my neighbours. Putting others before ourselves, denying ourselves so that we might serve others is pretty radical. Faith communities across the UK demonstrate this wonderfully, making their contribution to public life so valuable.

PUTTING OTHERS BEFORE OURSELVES, DENYING OURSELVES SO THAT WE MIGHT SERVE OTHERS IS PRETTY RADICAL As do the thousands of Liberal Democrat councillors of all faiths and none across the country! My mantra has always been ‘pick a ward and win it’. So any LDCF readers who are feeling inspired to live out our call to love our neighbours, to deny ourselves to serve others, please do consider becoming a candidate! Being able to serve the place you call home or the community you love is a wonderful honour. Give it a go!

For more information about Tim: timfarron.co.uk @timfarron tim@timfarron.co.uk

LIVING OUT LOCALISM

Creating a new Town Council

hen our Unitary Authority was created, I assumed that someone somewhere would realise that our town needed a Town Council and one would be set up. A few weeks ago, I realised that person was me. We used to have a Borough Council, (which covered two towns) and a County Council. Both were disbanded in 2009 with the creation of two new Unitary Authorities, each covering half of the county. I noticed quite quickly that we no longer had the same level of localism. Decisions affecting our town are made by 75 councillors who represent wards across half of the county. It now seems difficult for the 13 local councillors who represent my town to make themselves heard.

WE’RE CALLED TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOURS ANDONE WAY OF DOING THAT SURELY IS TO GIVE A VOICE TO THE VOICELESS?

LDCF Chair, Lizzie Jewkes tells us about how the call to love our neighbours inspired her to launch a campaign for a Town Council

Parish and Town Councils deal with everyday minutiae, the stuff that we Lib Dems know people really care about – car parking, litter, public spaces, it’s a long list. The decisions that impact on people who live and work here. We’re called to love our neighbours and one way of doing that surely is to give a voice to the voiceless? A Town Council would ensure that decisions affecting just my town are made by people who represent just my town, helping make sure people are heard. I decided to try and get one by starting a petition to request a Town Council. When the former Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams was Communities Minister in the Coalition Government, he made the creation of new Parish and Town Councils simpler and easier. If I can collect around 3,000

Liberal Democrat Christian Forum / 2016-2017

signatures of local electors (7.5% of the electorate down from 10% thanks to Stephen Williams) we can petition the Unitary Authority and request that they carry out a governance review. Actually, the Unitary Authority carried out a governance review recently but did not even consider giving my town a Council. I think I know why. Since its inception, the Unitary Authority has been Conservative controlled. My town is solid Labour. The previous Borough Council was overwhelmingly Labour. We’ve elected a Labour MP since 1992 when boundary changes moved some of the Tory supporting villages into the neighbouring constituency. I doubt the Unitary Authority had much enthusiasm for creating a Labour Town Council.

So far, everyone I have spoken to is supportive of my idea and my next move is to get the Unitary Authority councillors for the local area on board. They may not be so keen for a couple of reasons. One is that it will reduce their involvement and another is that they hold the mayoralty. Currently, they take it in turns to be the Mayor and Deputy Mayor but, ideally, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor would be elected from the Town Council.

But, since last year, Labour have held control of the Unitary Authority by just one seat. I am hoping that the new Unitary Authority will now support my plan.

It’s likely to take a long time. Even after I have collected the requisite number of signatures and submitted it to the Unitary Authority, they have a year to respond. If the councillors are as supportive as the local people and local business people have so far been, the Unitary Authority could decide to instigate the governance review without receiving the petition and the Town Council could be set up quicker.

I have a steering committee in place which consists of local people who are involved in the community.

Our Unitary Authority has 161 Town and Parish Councils. I’m hoping to make it 162 before too long. 07

A POSTREFERENDUM

Reflection

LDCF Executive Member, Kirsten Johnson offers her thoughts on how we can move forward after the referendum

have had several requests through Facebook from voters on both sides of the EU issue on how to find a healthy, positive way forward. As deeply upset as many of us still are, it is difficult to think in positive, helpful terms when there’s still so much anger about this referendum taking place at all.

But I have put some thought into this and wish to share some ideas. In conflict resolution and mediation, a lot of weight is placed on listening. This is a deep kind of listening, not one in which words are heard and then our point of view put forward, ‘but, but, but…’. Having done a fair bit of EU speaking and hustings, I am familiar with the riposte and parry required in refuting arguments and arguing a case. Deep listening is understanding what is behind the words a person is saying. Many have suggested that much of the ‘leave’ vote was an antiestablishment vote, not an anti-EU vote. Tim Farron has pointed out that worries over housing, lack of school places and an under-resourced NHS were salient factors in the ‘leave’ vote. I would further suggest that fear is behind many of the views of those who voted against the referendum. We live in a global world, a shrinking world, one that is quickly changing with technological advances.

Liberal Democrat Christian Forum / 2016-2017

Those who voted leave, among them the majority older people, I suggest would like a return to a simpler world of pen and paper, not email, where everyone knows everyone in the village and stays there their entire life. But that is not the world young people live in – we train in different cities and countries, we work around the UK and in the rest of the world, we fall in love and have relationships which transcend borders. Younger people understand and embrace a fluid, global world. Many older people are frightened by it. So in moving forward, I suggest deep listening needs to take place: within families broken by this vote; within communities driven apart; and within the wider United Kingdom which is divided by national votes. We need to listen to why people voted the way they did – what their concerns and fears really are. And express to them, in a kind and gentle way, what our concerns and fears are. It is in having deep, listening conversations that we might be able to move forward. Working together for the common good is something those of all political parties wish to achieve. I am hoping that, as Liberal Democrats and as Christians, we can be a positive, pro-active force for letting our values of fairness, freedom and community help bring healing to this troubled land. Environmental concerns, personal freedoms, fighting discrimination and building a more inclusive and equal society does not change whether we

WE NEED TO LISTEN TO WHY PEOPLE VOTED THE WAY THEY DID – WHAT THEIR CONCERNS AND FEARS REALLY ARE are in or out of Europe. From my point of view, being in Europe would make all of these goals easier to achieve. But the goals remain nevertheless, and we need to continue to fight for the values we believe in. I would encourage all of you to find ways to bring your communities together. Explore inter-generational initiatives where young and old work together, learn together and listen to each other. Provide ways which bring those of different cultural backgrounds together, building relationships and appreciation of our rich, multi-cultural society. And, perhaps most tricky, creatively think of ways we can bridge the class divide, so that those who have understand and listen to the concerns of those who have not. Many ‘workingclass’ communities voted ‘leave’ and need to be heard. Everyone of us needs to do all we can to build a more cohesive, inclusive and integrated society where all are welcome, valued and listened to. 09

RENTING, BUYING

A COUNTRY

of four nations

and selling off

Mark Williams MP, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, reflects on how bringing unity enables us to love our neighbours

Baroness Cathy Bakewell explores who our neighbours are and how we love them in the context of our housing crisis

e live in a country made up of four nations each with its own identity, politics, weather patterns, people and many other differences. The complexities of how all the parts relate to one another and to the whole are a subject of fascination and are increasingly at the forefront of our news.

do I love my neighbours through my political work?

Rather than a nicely fitting jigsaw however, the relationships seem slightly more crooked. Where I live and represent in rural Wales, few feel connected to our own Welsh Assembly and even fewer still feel like they belong to a greater community of nations (at least politically). There is a general perception that vast distance and deaf ears separate people and politics.

With unity comes belonging and, in turn, understanding and care for others. Unity forms a strong foundation for loving our neighbours.

As this disconnection and disillusionment has grown in Wales, the question that springs up for me is how do we love our neighbours? In this context – in a country that feels, to many, increasingly fragmented – how do we, as citizens residing in one part of our country, love our neighbours in another part? And for me personally, as an MP and as leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, how 10

Liberal Democrat Christian Forum / 2016-2017

One of the messages in the Bible that seems so poignant at the moment is one of unity. The trinity itself – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – embodies unity. Three yet united as one. Jesus brought together Jews and Gentiles and Paul then continued to outwork God’s vision of unity as the early church evolved.

For me, bringing unity involves helping my constituents in Wales feel involved in the politics of the Welsh Assembly and Westminster. It is also about, as much as I can, giving a voice to those who feel marginalised and excluded to make sure they are heard at all levels of politics. I think there is much that politicians and those interested in politics can gain from reflecting on how we are stronger when we work together, wherever they are in our country. If this was more often at the forefront of our minds, our politics and people’s sense of engagement with it, could only improve.

he Housing and Planning Bill 2016 was one of the most intense pieces of legislation I have yet worked on. It radically changes the way housing is provided, concentrating on increasing home ownership amongst the young. Ideologically sound if it had not been coupled with a huge reduction in social housing and stringent regulations around limiting tenancies. As Christians we are called upon to love our neighbours. It is sometimes hard to quantify who the ‘neighbour’ is. In terms of this Bill, for me it was those who would not be able to afford to live in rural locations due to homes owned by Housing Associations being sold to sitting tenants and not being replaced due to land availability; it is those hard working couples who would find their joint income reaches the threshold for paying market rents, sometimes making it unviable for both to continue in employment; it is those couples and families who find their tenancies are no longer lifetime and are not renewed, forcing them out into the private sector with all the uncertainty and additional costs involved.

As the Bill progressed through the House there was increasing concern from all sides on the effect of giving a one-off bonus of 20% to first time buyers. This was tax payer’s money and came with little strings attached. This ‘bonus’ could have provided deposits for families attempting to rent in the private sector, having failed to be housed by Local Authorities or Housing Associations. It is clear the Government’s intention outside of home ownership is renting in the private sector. Yet they provide no safeguards or assistance for those forced into this option. As Christians we can play a part in speaking out about injustice in the housing system, making sure those affected do not feel nobody cares about their plight, we can support organisations such as Crisis and the Children’s Society and write to local newspapers highlighting the effect of this housing legislation. Any help in raising the profile will show that we do indeed ‘love our neighbours’.

THE IMPORTANCE

of listening

LDCF Member, Clarke Roberts, explores the importance of listening as we seek to love our neighbours

t’s something we do every day. Whether consciously or subconsciously, words or noises, our ears act as one of our gateways to the rest of the world. But it must be conceded that many of us have a varying degree of skill when it comes to listening; many people hear, but how many really listen? Why is listening so important and what can listening achieve?

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS WILL PROVIDE THE REAL MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE THROUGH ONE VERY SEEMINGLY SIMPLE SKILL: LISTENING

For the past few months, I’ve been researching the relationship between people’s theology and their politics. I’ve interviewed a number of people to learn their reflections on a complex relationship, which of course requires my ability to listen. It sounds like such a simple thing, but listening really can be transformative as well as informative and from the conversations I’ve had with those taking part in my research, I can honestly say that my own views, beliefs and ideas have changed as a consequence. A relatively new field in academic theology, Ordinary Theology is a discipline centred on the concept of listening to those around us, in order to further our understanding of, in this case, Christian theology. It does not take heed from those who have spent many years in the academy studying theology from the comfort of a desk chair and endless cups of coffee, like I have. Instead, it reaches out to ordinary believers – and ordinary is not meant disparagingly, more as a way to refer to those who have had no formal theological education – to gain an insight into

what people really believe, as opposed to learning about what people are taught that they should believe. This is hugely important to the Christian faith as Jeff Astley and Ann Christie say:

“If the church is togrow,or even survive, in its third millennium, it needs something more than a certain freshness of expression. It needs to do some serious listening to its own members... it needs to take them seriously... it needs to listen to their theology.” 1

In terms of politics, I believe this is because there’s a great sense of ‘us’ and ‘them’. The Westminster elite versus the everyday person, to quote the Gospel of Luke: “the monarchs” and “the lowly” (Luke 1: 52-53 REB). And that’s the most important aspect The significant disparity between of ordinary theology: listening. But groups in society is because of a one does not have to be an academic failure to listen. A failure to really or a scholar to benefit from the listen to the concerns of everyday impact of listening. Listening is also people and act in a way that helps a hugely important tool in pastoral to alleviates people’s worries care; whether clergy or lay, listening and concerns. What we all need provides those with the desire to make to remember, is that we were all a difference, a solid basis upon which made in God’s image and God does to base their action. Whether listening not see one group as being more to the concerns of a friend or family deserving than another; there are no member, or indeed those of a worried social groups or labels to bestowed. constituent, without listening, our The beliefs, views and concerns of actions have no meaning or purpose. everyone are all as equally important Without listening, who are we serving? as each other. These beliefs, views Without listening, we risk imparting and concerns need listening to. Only our own ways of thinking on those when people start listening, will the whose voices are not heard, and this political action we see really begin to is no more evident than with events transform the lives of everyone not surrounding the EU Referendum. only at home, but across the world. People’s concerns heard but not acted upon; a clear demonstration of how The strength of listening is what those who influenced the referendum sets Liberal Democrats apart from result, failed to listen to what ordinary other political parties. The Liberal people were saying and have, some Democrats will provide the real may argue, placed the country in movement for change through one a very precarious situation. very seemingly simple skill: listening. 1 Astley, J & Christie, A (2007) Taking Ordinary Theology Seriously Cambridge: Grove Books

Liberal Democrat Christian Forum / 2016-2017

DARE TO DISAGREE (well)

hat positive contribution to the debate on Europe could Christians have? Yes, there would be prayerful Christians in both the ‘leave’ and ‘remain’ camps offering thoughtful views, but was there something unique Christians could offer in what was shaping up to be one of the most divisive moments in recent memory? This was the challenge facing Christians in Politics as we sought to engage with the political hot potato that was the EU Referendum; a topic that the Archbishop Justin Welby warned could leave the UK “dispirited and divided”.

Mark Scott from Christians in Politics reflects on what’s next for the #disagreewell campaign Christians in Politics ran ahead of the referendum On both sides of the Atlantic, it seems political debate has been crescendoing into an almost shrill level of vitriolic disagreement, where differences of opinion are grounds for exclusion of the ‘other’. Largely played out on the battlefield of social media, the war of 140 characters has been waged and the casualty has often been reasoned thought and robust debate. As we filter opinions – whether on our Twitter or Facebook feeds or through the people we mix with – we create our own echo chambers, silencing those we disagree with. And then we wonder why the world looks so divided and a chasm has opened up between ourselves and those with whom we don’t agree. Introducing the #disagreewell campaign, launched to challenge

Liberal Democrat Christian Forum / 2016-2017

GOOD DISAGREEMENT IS A GIFT THAT THE CHURCH CAN OFFER THE WORLD AROUND IT – AND OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM COULD CERTAINLY DO WITH A HEALTHY DOSE OF IT Christians to change the tone of public debate and love their neighbours in a distinct way during the EU Referendum. The campaign – consisting of videos, articles, resources and events – sought to give a vision of what good disagreement could look like based on the reconciling love of Jesus. This love takes into account difference, allows for people’s individual stories and recognises the Bible’s assertion that we only see a small part of the big picture (1 Corinthians 13:9). A highlight of the #disagreewell campaign was the ‘conversation tour’, in which MPs, Peers and political and religious figures held discussions on the EU in various cathedrals around the country including Exeter, Southwark, Coventry and Bradford. The ‘conversations’ looked at issues relating to faith as well as politics and were an opportunity to practice good disagreement. The campaign certainly didn’t attempt to dampen any passion for the issues or encourage Christians to sit back and leave the debating to others. Instead it suggested that a difference of opinion didn’t have to be the end of the story.

As events such as the tragic murder of Jo Cox MP and the rising accounts of racial abuse since the Referendum demonstrate, the need to model disagreeing well continues beyond June 23rd. Christians, by extending the arms of embrace, can embody Jesus’ command to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ in a very real way in the modern world. We have been encouraged by the campaign, but also challenged that there is still much more to be done. As Archbishop Welby himself explained: “Good disagreement is a gift that the church can offer the world around it – and our political system could certainly do with a healthy dose of it”. If you’re feeling galvanized or frustrated since the result of the EU Referendum, Christians in Politics would love to connect with you. More than ever we need passionate Christians showing up in the political sphere. A great place to start will be at our annual conference in Manchester this November. For more info, please go to the Christians in Politics website: christiansinpolitics.org.uk 15

DIARY ENTRY:

Clare Shepherd

New LDCF Member, Clare Shepherd, unpacks her journey into politics

oving our neighbor as we love ourselves sounded simple when I was first taught it as a child. Figuring out how I do it, though, is an ongoing challenge! The same can be said for my experience of political engagement. When I was younger, politics seemed reasonably straightforward; not least because in Northern Ireland where I grew up, politics had just two sides and the only thing they agreed on was that they disagreed with each other. As I got a bit older, my engagement ebbed and flowed. As a precocious child I wrote to Downing Street but then as a teenager, as I wrestled with my faith, I thought that maybe the easiest way to cope with Prime Ministers who didn’t do God and local politics which was more about riots than rhetoric, was to disengage from politics and focus on living as a Christian. I couldn’t see how loving my neighbor had any real relevance to how I voted.

When I moved to England for university, my horizons were broadened substantially. This was in part due to my church that had a big emphasis on biblical teaching and showed me that the separation of my faith and my politics was actually just a cop out! I needed to get involved more not less in order to avoid hypocrisy. How can I advocate for a particular political position if I’m not willing to do what I can to bring it about, whether that be by voting, petitioning or protesting (always peaceful, I promise!)? So, I joined the Liberal Democrats! Since then I’ve tried to put my money (and my time and my energy) where my mouth is. The more I learn about politics and the law it shapes, the more aware I am that as a follower of Jesus, loving thy neighbour means adding my voice to those who challenge injustices, seek change to help those who are unable to help themselves and doing whatever practical things I can to share God’s love with those around me. 17

7 ACTS of love

n the theme of loving our neighbours, we have come up with seven acts of love that you can do to help share God’s love with our neighbours.

MONDAY FAMILY

Mia Hadfield-Spoor, Executive member of LDCF Let us know how they go at: office@ldcf.org

TUESDAY FRIENDS

Think about someone close to you who could do with an extra boost and some TLC. What brings them joy and what could you do to give them joy?

Think about a friend who would appreciate a listening ear. Arrange a call or a meet up. Take the time to really listen and understand.

Pray for people who have no family around them, who are feeling lonely, and experiencing social isolation. Pray particularly for refugees and all the individuals and organisations working with them.

Pray for your friend, that they may have God’s peace and be surrounded with others who support them.

WEDNESDAY NEIGHBOURS

THURSDAY POLITICIANS

FRIDAY COLLEAGUES

Go out of your way to encourage one of your local politicians in what they do. Contact your MP or Councillor and thank them for the work they are doing.

Communication and trust build strong relationships and effective teamwork. Help a colleague who is struggling or encourage a colleague who is doing well.

Pray for all our politicians as they serve our country – that they have energy, discernment and wisdom.

Pray for increased understanding and trust between your team at work.

SATURDAY SOCIETY What is God asking you to keep doing to build a more equal, peaceful and sustainable society? Contact your local councillor and ask if you could do something to help them with a project they are working on. Pray for the UK as it makes plans to leave the EU, pray for unity between all the nations of the UK and the EU.

SUNDAY CHURCH

Thousands of people across the UK face a housing crisis of their own. Some of them may well be your neighbours. If they are, see if there is anything you can do to help. If not, think about whether there is anything you can do to help campaign for change in our national housing policies.

Be thankful for the innovative and inspiring work of the church in society that brings hope to many. Is there an opportunity for you to give hope to others in, or via, your church community? Is there scope for your church to be shaping and influencing political decisions that affect those in your neighbourhood?

Pray for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness and for the organisations working to prevent homelessness.

Pray for the future of the church and its role in public life.

Liberal Democrat Christian Forum / 2016-2017

Your s

HAVE YOU READ THE BOOK?

for o n

£6.9

Steve Webb

In Politics

his year has been a year of elections, unpredictable politics and lots of changes. But, for LDCF, it has also been a year of growth. We have seen our membership double and, as a result, have been able to do much more as we seek to be a bridge between the Liberal Democrats and the Christian community.

12 Lib Dem MPs & Peers 12 Perspectives of Faith 12 Perspectives of Politics

“This is a collection which highlights the fact that Christianity is alive and kicking within the Liberal Democrats...Whether you are a Christian who is interested in politics or a Liberal Democrat who is seeking an insight into Christian thinking, I commend this collection to you.”

BEARING WITNESS…

Get your copy today: Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle, and at Manna Christian Book Shop

www.mannachristiancentre.co.uk

Sarah Dickson, Director of LDCF, shares some of LDCF’s highlights this year We believe now, more than ever, our voice is needed. It has been great to welcome others who feel the same since the referendum too!

One of the most exciting things for LDCF this year has been our Amidst all the chaos of the political housing campaign. As the Housing sphere at the moment, we have been and Planning Bill went through more inspired than ever to be active parliament, we campaigned against in politics and encouraging our the policy to cut the amount of social members and supporters to be too. and affordable housing available. We We are passionate about standing went onto explore what we could do up for those who are vulnerable and to specifically address the issue of marginalised so that they don’t get homelessness in the UK. We hosted a left behind and we are committed fascinating fringe on the topic at Lib to demonstrating a politics based Dem Spring Conference in York, with on unity and good disagreement many great ideas for solutions coming not toxic division. out of it. Building on them, we drafted a policy motion on homelessness that, at the time of writing, is due to be debated at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Brighton. If passed, the motion, that focuses on strengthening prevention of homelessness as well as how Local Authorities address it, 21

BEARING WITNESS… will become Liberal Democrat policy. It will then form the foundation of the Party’s campaigns on homelessness in Parliament. Stay tuned on our website for how it goes! Another campaign that we helped lead this year was ‘Christians for Europe’. Keen to help equip and encourage Christians to engage with the referendum and provide a positive, hopeful case to remain, we established Christians for Europe as the Christian remain campaign. Through doing so, we helped shape the tone of the debate (at least in Christian circles!), advocating a ‘disagree well’ approach amid all the fear and division that was dominating. We rapidly increased our presence in Christian and mainstream press and built strong relationships with politicians, organisations and fellow Liberal Democrat members. One of the highlights of the campaign for me was seeing so many churches across the country want to engage in the referendum and provide space for debate.

Liberal Democrat Christian Forum / 2016-2017

Earlier in the year, we had joined our Christians in Politics friends, Christian Aid and the Children’s Society on a UK tour of campaigning workshops for church goers. We were struck by attendees’ appetite to engage in politics and heard of many going away to consider joining political parties. We, and our Christians in Politics colleagues, are poised to help develop this enthusiasm over the next few months and years to see more Christians participating in political parties. On top of all of this, we have seen Lib Dem Christian Forum members successfully elected to local councils (yippee!) and we have enjoyed powerful times of prayer for our nation, politicians and world in Parliament. In the new political era we now face, here at LDCF we are excited for what the next year holds. We look forward to journeying along the way with you too!

Image above: 2016 LDCF Gladstone Lecture with Baroness Julie Smith and Baroness Sal Brinton

In Media

itting alone in a jungle far from the nearest habitation; listening in secret to feed a faith outlawed by the authorities; tuning in on a solarpowered radio where there is no reliable electricity supply; logging on to the internet for pastoral training even when remote from the nearest seminary. Broadcasting has the capacity to reach people with the hope of the Gospel in places and situations that otherwise seem hopeless.

TWR discuss who, in a globalised world, are our neighbours? Their media mission reaches out in the name of Christ to even the most remote and isolated of our neighbours

Trans World Radio (TWR) is the world’s furthest reaching Christian radio network, speaking fluently in over 230 languages and dialects to people in over 160 countries. Since broadcasts began in 1954 TWR has had a “continually renewed vision” for reaching the world. This has led TWR to embrace a range of approaches, from shortwave transmitters which reach people thousands of miles away, to the latest in mobile and smartphone technology which TWR is using to bring hope to thousands of migrants and refugees stranded in Europe. The United Nations increasingly recognises stress, depression and mental illness as serious problems for refugees. Culture shock and disillusionment, compounded by language barriers, are leading to high levels of stress in people already 23

Join the WHY? affected by the trauma of leaving wartorn countries. But getting relief and the hope of the Gospel to people on the move is no easy task. Many refugees carry smartphones in order to navigate, to keep up with the news and to stay in contact with family. So TWR have developed a free smartphone app called Refugee Bridge which enables users to access content in Arabic and Farsi. Content includes the programme Hope for Syria, which was developed specifically to deal with issues arising from the conflict, and programmes which cover refugee-specific issues. TWR values your prayers for the refugee project, the UK broadcasts and the wider impact of the global transmissions. Please pray for wisdom, guidance and creativity for Images in article: Taken through TWR’s Refugee Bridge programme

Liberal Democrat Christian Forum / 2016-2017

those producing, co-ordinating and distributing programmes; for the Lord to speak powerfully into the hearts of listeners and for lives to be changed through the power of His Word.

today

Membership will give you: - Priority invitations to our events - Regular magazines and membership newsletters - A platform to contribute to policy debates - Supporting our work to make a difference in the party – we are reliant on the financial support of our members

HOW? It’s simple - sign up online:

www.ldcf.org To find out more, please visit: twr.org.uk Or contact us at: Trans World Radio, PO Box 606, Altrincham, WA14 2YS

LDCF’s mission is to be a Christian voice in the Liberal Democrats, and a voice of Liberal Democracy among the Christian community. We can only do it with our members. Thank you for your support.