VOX April 2014

ISSUE 22 / APRIL - JUNE 2014

CRIME & PUNISHMENT? Caring for prisoners and ex-offenders SEAMLESS ROBES & GRAVE CLOTHES: As we celebrate Easter, Ken Gibson reflects on the clothes Jesus wore

14 SLIGO SUMMER CONFERENCE

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EDITORIAL

Miscarriage of Justice? n March, a man was released from prison in the US after more than 25 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. Convicted of murder in 1988, the man has been completely exonerated. It’s hard to even imagine what that would be like!

Injustice is a stain on humanity. It seeps into the fabric of society. It suffocates, tortures and distorts all that is good and right. The abused and silenced victim, the wrongly accused and the unfairly punished; each incidence is like a cancer, which destroys as it grows.

Sadly, human justice will always fall short. While it may deter, it cannot prevent crime nor can it adequately address the root causes. It can never completely repair the harm to individuals and communities.

The crucifixion must rank among the greatest miscarriages of justice in history. Betrayal. False accusations. A kangaroo court. Corrupt religious and political leaders. A lynch mob.

Torture. And a death sentence enacted in a matter of hours.

Yet, in the midst of mankind’s injustice and inhumanity, we see the embrace of God’s perfect justice with His infinite mercy. At the cross, we experience the miracle of forgiveness and restoration made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice - undeserved, unmerited and offered freely to each one of us.

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B X oment is: m e th t a y r c e noses!" r o m r e Our war d n ,u ore hands m to in X O V t "Ge Can you help us make this happen?

We'd love to get a "VOX BOX" into as many churches, cafés, community centres, schools, colleges, offices and libraries as possible. If you have some ideas, the VOX team is all ears!

Just email jonny@vox.ie or call us on 01 443 4789

I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THAT MERCY BEARS RICHER FRUITS THAN STRICT JUSTICE -ABRAHAM LINCOLN

The cross gives me hope that people can be transformed.

It reminds me that God does not treat me as my sins deserve.

And it calls me to show the same compassion and forgiveness towards others. But it also reassures me that evil will not triumph. The judge of all the earth will do what is right!

As we dip into the subject of justice, there are no simple answers. But I’m encouraged to see Christians wrestling with the questions and finding practical ways to get involved.

Like the great work that is happening in prisons both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (Crime and Punishment or Justice and Restoration page 10) or those who are working on an international level in response to civil war or crimes against humanity (Global Justice page 20).

Sometimes the issues seem too big, too overwhelming.

That’s when I must come back to the cross to find comfort… and hope!

The Ruth Garvey-Williams Editor (editor@vox.ie)

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SEAMLESS ROBES & GRAVE CLOTHES

APRIL - JUNE 2014, ISSUE 22 ISSN: 2009-2253 PUBLISH E R The VOX Team EDITOR Ruth Garvey-Williams editor@vox.ie OPERATIO N S & A DV E RT I S I N G Jonny Lindsay jonny@vox.ie LAYOUT Krista Burns krista@vox.ie PROJECT A DV I S O R Tom Slattery SUBSCRI P T I O N S Ireland & UK: €7 for four issues Overseas: €18 for four issues All cheques should be made payable to Solas Publishing.

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The views expressed in letters and articles are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the VOX Team or our partners. The acceptance of advertising does not indicate endorsement.

PRINT Castle Print, Galway VOX magazine is a quarterly publication, brought to you by a passionate team of volunteers.

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CRIME & PUNISHMENT

CAN BIG BUSINESS HELP THE POOR?

CONTENTS 10 22 15 16 18 20 23 24 26 29 30 36 37 41 32 33 06 08 09 14

COVER STORIES Crime and Punishment or Justice and Restoration - caring for prisoners and ex-offenders.

Seamless robes and grave clothes - reflecting on the clothes Jesus wore.

FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS My Story: Muriel’s Story Finding Faith Tour 2014 - will we visit you?

5 Tips for a Better Holiday - exploring socially responsible tourism.

Global Justice - what happens when it all goes wrong?

VOX Poll - did you celebrate Lent?

Lighting up South Dublin - an inspiring project with disadvantaged youth.

Can big business help the poor?

Restorative Justice - a study on the meaning of “justice” in the scriptures.

Heading Home - enjoy the third prize winning entry VOX 2013 writing competition.

The time-worn path - walking the Camino Way with 20 teenagers.

Pioneer, preacher and lover of people - Gary Davidson pays tribute to Robert Dunlop Seeking to unite Muslim, Christian and Jew through music VOX VIEWS An incredible journey - roller coaster years at the Irish Bible Institute.

Liberating ourselves of God - do we have the wrong image of God? REGULAR FEATURES VOX: Shorts

17 VOX: World News 43 Your VOX: Letters to the editor 44 Profit from the Prophets 46

Confessions of a Feint Saint Reviews Event Listing VOX: PS with Seán Mullan

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IRELAND

VOX SHORTS

Calling for integrity and transparency in public life Evangelical Alliance Ireland (EAI) is calling on Christians across Ireland to join a new global campaign against corruption.

Coordinated by Micah Challenge and the World Evangelical Alliance, “Exposed” draws attention to the devastating impact of corruption, particularly on the poorest people in the world.

Recent events in Ireland have demonstrated that lack of integrity and transparency can have damaging consequences, whether in churches, council offices or the Dail, and whether for the Garda or Irish charities.

“Exposed” aims to gather 1 million signatures on a petition that will be presented to the world’s most powerful leaders (the G20) in Brisbane, Australia in November. The petition calls for greater transparency in

government and business as well as action on tax evasion and bribery.

EAI spokesman Nick Park told VOX, “Corruption is a spiritual issue. Invariably it works to the detriment of the most needy and vulnerable in any society. The Bible tells us that such oppression of the poor is deeply offensive to God. The “Exposed” campaign is not about finger pointing but about soul searching. It gives us the opportunity to align ourselves with the dispossessed and to recognise, repent of and renounce ways in which we may have unwittingly become part of the problem.”

As part of the campaign, EAI will coordinate regional petition signings, giving individuals and churches the opportunity to make their own pledge of integrity. The campaign will encourage individuals to invite their politicians to sign a commitment to honest and transparent dealings in public life. To find out more visit www.exposedcampaign.com.

Contact info@evangelical.ie if you would like to take part.

Creating positive alternatives

Alcohol Awareness Week (31 March - 4 April) aims to get people thinking and talking about Ireland’s troubled relationship with alcohol and how it affects individuals, families, communities and the wider society.

Pointing to family problems, crime and antisocial behaviour and workplace accidents as some of the negative effects of drinking, the campaign provides a focus for community groups, churches and individuals concerned about the effects of alcohol in their community.

One innovative group in Limerick City went a step further by organising an alcoholfree St Patrick’s Day celebration. “Paddy’s Day Unlocked” created a celebration of music, culture, food and dancing to show it is possible to have great craic without getting drunk.

Here at VOX, we’re wondering whether churches across Ireland are innovating or partnering with similar positive community events. If so, we want to hear about it! We’d also like to hear your views about Christians and alcohol. Is our freedom to drink becoming a problem? Does our abstinence really model the right response? Does it matter what we think about this? Write to editor@vox.ie.

Feeding the 5000

Following a similar event in Dublin in 2012, Cork City fed 5000 people with delicious vegetable curry on Saturday 15 March as part of the city’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

The free lunch was prepared entirely from safe, surplus vegetables in an attempt to highlight how much food is thrown away in Ireland. Supermarket standards mean some vegetables don’t “make the grade” because they do not look perfect. The result is tons of perfectly good vegetables wasted every year. The average family wastes hundreds of euro each year by throwing away “leftovers” or out-of-date food.

The Cork event was organised by Cork Food Policy Council, which seeks to encourage Irish people to consider how they can cut down on food waste. By feeding 5000, they are certainly following in the right person’s footsteps!

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Influencing Foreign Policy

In Autumn 2013, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade invited the public to contribute to a review of Ireland’s foreign policy.

Church in Chains made a detailed submission calling for human rights to remain central to Ireland’s foreign policy and urging the government to ensure that protection of religious freedom around the world becomes a key priority of Ireland’s foreign policy. An updated foreign policy document will be published by the end of June. Find out more about Church in Chains at www.churchinchains.ie

Leading for Life: 28 - 30 August 2014

Innovista International equips young leaders across Ireland, Europe and Central Asia to bring hope to their communities.

“This August, we are gathering Christian leaders in their 20s and 30s from all over Europe for three days of quality training in Vienna, Austria,” said Innovista Ireland CEO Sam Moore.

“Leading for Life combines table groups, coaching, case studies and speakers to equip you more effectively for local mission."

Book before 30 April for the early bird price of €106 – and if you come as a team, the third person comes half-price. Find out more about Leading for Life at www.leadingforlife. org or contact Sam Moore – sam.moore@ innovista.org. To learn about the work of Innovista Ireland, you can visit www. innovista.ie

VOX MAGAZINE

Sligo14 - reaching the parts that sun loungers can’t reach

A Christian conference might not seem the first choice holiday destination. Yet the week-long event is becoming increasingly popular. Two participants explained why: “My husband and I finally made it to the New Wine Ireland’s Sligo Summer Conference in 2013,” wrote Annette. “As a clergy couple so steeped in church, we weren’t convinced about holidaying at a Christian conference. Sligo did, however, supply those two vital ingredients – rest and refreshment. The experience reached those parts that days on a sun lounger can’t reach; soaking our souls in worship, the word of God, prophecy and prayer. We caught up with old friends, took in the fabulous scenery and generally felt spoiled by a super New Wine Ireland team."

David added, “Having happy children meant that my wife and I were able to focus on the Churches Together in Bray have excellent teaching, to developed a prayer for their town. enjoy worshipping God, to spend time in His presence and also to take time out Specially designed and printed for a peaceful coffee with friends. We both came away from the week feeling on cards, the prayer of blessing refreshed, inspired, challenged and excited about what God is doing in us, in our encourages people to pray for Bray local church and throughout Ireland.” and has been distributed throughout This year’s conference (6- 11 July) includes a feast of Bible teaching from the town. Church leaders gave the Vineyard pastor David Parker along with seminars, workshops and evening blessing prayer an enthusiastic worship times. The all-age children’s and youth programmes help to cater for welcome, and now churches in the whole family. There is also plenty of free time to visit the beach or have that other areas are showing interest in essential coffee with friends! creating their own prayers. If you’d To book or to find out more visit: www.newwineireland.org. like to know more, contact editor@ vox.ie.

An Irish Blessing… for your town?

Top Tweets from Rubicon 2014 The innovative conversation that is “Rubicon” returned to Rathmines this year, to discuss social justice along with special guest Shane Claiborne. Here are some of the top Twitter comments and quotes:

Charity can insulate us from the responsibility of relationship. @ShaneClaiborne Anti-gay, judgemental, hypocritical: 3 things most associated with “Christianity” [in the US] - love did not make the list @ShaneClaiborne The great tragedy is not that we don’t care about each other but that we don’t know each other. @ShaneClaiborne How can companies bring about justice? Not through 1% of CSR [Corporate Social Responsibiity] projects but through 99% of what they do. @jfoong A radical ethic: If we have more than we need while someone else has less, then we are thieves. @ShaneClaiborne “Justice in the local shop” - we have the opportunity, every day, to treat people as human beings. @camstewart

We take our deepest passions and we connect them to the world’s deepest pain. @ShaneClaiborne When it comes to justice and mission, good practice is not a given.

Lydia Monds We cannot define justice in isolation. We have to do it in the context of community. @Daniel Ramamoorthy The church needs to share the fragrance of Christ through restorative (rather than punitive) justice. - @ShaneClaiborne Throwing money at homelessness won't solve anything. We need to change how we think about homelessness. @wearerubicon Justice is what love looks like in public. @ShaneClaiborne

Want to know more? Visit www.wearerubicon.com to view all the videos.

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WORLD NEWS

WOULD YOU STAY IF THE BOMBS WERE FALLING?

When his wife and children fled as refugees from warstricken Aleppo in Syria, Dr Jany Haddad chose to stay. A Team Hope partner, he told the Irish charity, “I stayed to serve the One who deserves to be served.”

Team Hope is supporting Dr Haddad’s work with the wounded in the bombed city and with his church’s outreach to desperately needy survivors of the violence. “What a motivation - to serve God in the face of ever-present danger,” Team Hope’s Executive Director, Niall Barry, told VOX. Launching an appeal for funds, he added, “We need to stand with Dr Haddad.”

Team Hope welcomes donations to their appeal for children’s clothing and for medical work with Aleppo’s children (100% of your gift will go to Syria), either by mail to their office at 5 Leopardstown Business Centre, Dublin 1, or on-line on their secure website: www.teamhope.ie.

PERSECUTION HOT SPOT

Sri Lankan television broadcast extraordinary footage in January of Buddhist monks leading a mob of about 300 people in attacking two churches in Hikkaduwa city.

The mob attacked an Assemblies of God church, followed by a Calvary Free Church. Stones were hurled, while some worshippers were trapped inside, causing serious damage to the two buildings. No injuries were reported but one pastor said he received death threats. Police at the scene failed to prevent the attacks. Seven Buddhist monks were subsequently charged by police and then granted bail.

Attacks on small, independent churches in Sri Lanka are becoming much more numerous – a further 20 churches have been attacked or threatened since the beginning of 2014, while 55 attacks were reported in 2013.

The rise of Buddhist nationalism in Sri Lanka is the driving force behind the increase in the persecution of Christians.

Buddhist monks often incite their followers to attack Christians and churches as well as Muslim businesses and mosques.

Although the constitution guarantees freedom of religion, there

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have been legal moves to pass anti-conversion legislation, restrict the construction of places of worship and impose limits on where worship can take place.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has condemned the surge of violence against religious minorities, including Christians and Muslims, and accused the Sri Lankan government of merely looking on.

PRAY FOR UKRAINE

Christians in Ukraine are asking for our prayers! VOX has heard from Team Hope, Agape, Innovista and the Evangelical Alliance, all with the same message. At a time of threat and upheaval, God is working. Ukrainian churches are coming together to pray! And they have appealed to Christians around the world to stand with them.

Sam Moore from Innovista visited Kiev at the end of February. He wrote, “We visited Maidan (independence square) on the Tuesday night. It was a strange but amazing experience.

“We stayed in a seminary. The girl who served us breakfast had been leading worship through the night on the big stage on the square throughout the protests! They were having prayers from orthodox priests and evangelical pastors every hour.

The churches had a prayer tent where they prayed for anyone who requested prayer. We heard stories of people becoming Christians even in the midst of the revolution. Please pray for peace in Ukraine and for restraint.”

NEW BIBLE FOR IRAN

After 18 years of work, the translation of the Bible into a modern version of Persian was completed in December.

Translators checked every word with the original languages, working alongside some of the best Hebrew and Greek consultants in the world. The plan is to print and distribute 100,000 copies. Iranian church leaders have described great spiritual hunger in Iran. Elam Ministries provides the latest prayer updates for Iran and the Iranian church on its website, www.elam.com.

YOUR VOX

Letters to the editor

Star Letter

of VOX we In each issue all of a €25 One4 award a prize r. tte le ite ur r favo voucher for ou u!

It could be yo

Do you dare to look closer?

When I saw that the title of the January to March edition of VOX was “Unity and Reconciliation”, I was encouraged and interested. However, I would challenge VOX to revisit this topic and take it further. Not all division is because people conflict on doctrinal issues and sit inside denominations and traditions, refusing to associate and love their fellow brothers and sisters in other denominations.

I would argue that most of the pain and suffering I have encountered, personally and as a psychotherapist among broken Christians, is because of what happens within individual churches. Too many times, the preservation of individual reputations, which could potentially impinge on the reputation of denominational churches, is more important than truth and love.

Ireland has many disillusioned, injured souls, many too heartsick to ever venture into membership of a church again, because they were sacrificed for the preservation of something deemed to be more important than them - the

reputation of an individual church.

Dare we open up these matters for honest reflection and discussion? I believe that there are many dying churches in Ireland, because their leadership can only talk about honesty, love, and boldness for Christ. The faith is not there to do what is right when challenges arise.

Ironically, suppressing truth does not preserve the church; it diminishes it. Speaking without integrity and heart only has the power of a clanging cymbal, and the church becomes a club without witness.

My prayer for VOX is that it will dare to open up these issues, without censorship. Too often, the Word of God is used for hiding. We are called to come into the light.

MARIA DOWLING SUTTON, DUBLIN

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO EDITOR@VOX.IE OR YOUR VOX, ULYSSES HOUSE, 22-24 FOLEY STREET, DUBLIN 1

Take a look at our BRAND NEW WEBSITE with great bonus content at www.vox.ie APRIL - JUNE 2014 VOX

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REALITY

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CRIME JUSTICE

PUNISHMENTor RESTORATION

“I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:36

At any one time, there are around 4,000 people in prison in Ireland. The average cost of imprisonment per prisoner is estimated at €65,404 per year. Around 90% of prison sentences are for non-violent offences including non-payment of fines, immigration issues and public order offences. Women make up around 3.5% of the prison population.

In Northern Ireland, the prison population stands at around 1,800. In both ROI and NI, 10% of prisoners are foreign nationals. Perhaps the most notable difference between the two systems is in the percentage of prisoners serving life sentences (13 - 15% in NI but only 8% in ROI).

According to a report by the Irish Prison Service and the Central Statistics Office published in 2013, 62% of those released from prison in Ireland re-offended within three years. Burglary offenders had the highest rate of re-conviction (up to 79%). According to the most up-todate data on re-conviction rates in Northern Ireland (published in 2005!), 47% of adults discharged from prison were re-convicted within two years. This rose to 70% of 18-20 years-olds. A new report is due in Spring 2014.

In this VOX special feature, we explore how Christians in Ireland and Northern Ireland are responding to those who commit crime in our communities and consider the potential for restorative justice to offer long-term solutions.

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CARING FOR PRISONERS AND EX-OFFENDERS

from the prison gate to re-enter society in a safer way than they might otherwise do.”

For some ex-offenders, this has also f you really want to demonstrate meant the opportunity to find a church where your love for Jesus, you have to love they can be supported and loved. the unloved, the marginalised, those who are left “Since we started that, we have supported out, who are in trouble and can’t see a way out of nine people following their release from their current predicament.” prison. Five of those have settled into Five years ago, somebody asked Philip churches. The good news is that none of Larragy to take over the work of the Church those people of Ireland have rechaplaincy offended. in Arbour Hill prison in PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH ARE SO GOOD AT WEARING That is a significant Dublin. What VENEERS. THESE GUYS ARE BRUTALLY HONEST.” statistic!” began as a small Finding Bible study run churches for by one church has developed into a range of ex-offenders can be a challenge. “Churches services helping prisoners, ex-offenders and have a responsibility to protect people within people with multiple addictions. the church, especially children. If an ex“We run with the tagline ‘I was in prison offender poses a risk, there needs to be an and you visited me’ from Matthew 25,” Philip appropriate amount of risk management. We explained. “As our Bible study grew, we use a contract and arrange for the person to decided to run an Alpha course and through have a mentor within the church.” that 12 prisoners came to faith in Jesus. We But this does not mean that the exnow have regular attendance of up to 20 offender is “named and shamed." “All of us people.” come to church with our sin; none of us is Caring for the spiritual needs of made to stand up and publically confess what prisoners developed into a ministry called we have done,” Philip emphasised.

Thuas (meaning “above” to symbolise the A more recent development is “The work of the Holy Spirit). Volunteers from Recovery Course," which is aimed at helping all Christian traditions visit and befriend people with multiple addictions through prisoners and care for practical, social and Christian-based training. “Our plan is to spiritual needs. Thuas has now become the introduce this into prisons following the trial prison wing of Alpha Ireland. stage in south Dublin city,” Philip said.

An inevitable next step became work With the development of the work, Philip with ex-offenders with help and training from is making plans to give up his “day job” and the UK-based William go full time in 2015. “We have created a notWilberforce Trust. for-profit limited company called Release, “We help them and we want to develop it as a professional organisation working in partnership with the prison service and the probation service.”

Desperate for more volunteers, Philip admits this work is not for the fainthearted, and there are a number of protocols involved.

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WHAT IS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND DOES IT WORK?

Restorative Justice emphasises repairing the harm caused by crime or conflict. It works on three principles: • Giving victims a voice: This means allowing victims to express the impact of the offence on them and their families and to ask questions.

In some cases, there is also the opportunity to express their views on what they would like to be done to address the offence.

• Encouraging offenders to accept responsibility for what they have done.

• Encouraging offenders to repair the harm they have done in appropriate ways (and where possible).

This type of process is far more time consuming than traditional methods. It does not always replace a punitive justice model but can be used as a step towards rehabilitation.

A number of studies have been published in the last 10 years evaluating restorative justice schemes.

While reserving overall judgement on the effectiveness, there has been a cautious welcome.

The research showed some evidence of changing attitudes among offenders and a higher level of appreciation by victims over the way they are treated by the system. A seven-year study in the UK showed significantly fewer offences (measured by re-conviction rates) by those who had taken part in Restorative Justice programmes.

Criticisms of the model include the greater burden on victims to be involved in the justice process, which can in fact re-traumatise them, and the possibility that it is open to abuse by offenders, who might manipulate the process to obtain lighter sentences.

From a Christian perspective, the principles of restorative justice seem more in line with biblical teaching than more punitive approaches.

Organisations such as the Prison Fellowship are among those taking the lead in implementing restorative justice in prisons.

The principles can also be applied in conflict situations in which both parties may consider themselves to have been injured in some way.

The process provides a framework allowing both sides to express the pain they have experienced and to work towards a mutually agreed solution.

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REALITY “It is all very easy to say, ‘I love Jesus,’ but not so easy to demonstrate that. Yet, there is amazing energy from loving people who are marginalised by society.”

With prisoners often incarcerated miles from home, it can be difficult for family members to see them and this can cause great heartache.

“We find prisoners who do not have any visitors at all. I’m allowed to go into Arbour Hill prison as a chaplain. I usually sit in the chaplaincy room and the next thing there is a queue outside - up to 10 people in a day!” As the work of Release develops, Philip wants to see services developed to support families as well as restorative justice programmes, which help prisoners to understand the impact of their crime on their victim and on the community.

“Many prisoners are desperately seeking forgiveness but the most difficult thing of all is being able to forgive themselves,” Philip explained. “You must absolutely hammer home how awful and unjustified their offense is, no matter how drunk they were [or whatever the excuse] but as a person, they can be forgiven.”

If you would like to get involved in visiting prisoners or supporting the work in any way or if you know of a prisoner who would benefit from a visit, please email philip.larragy@gmail.com.

IT IS ALL VERY EASY TO SAY, ‘I LOVE JESUS’ BUT NOT SO EASY TO DEMONSTRATE THAT.

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OFFERING HOPE AND A NEW BEGINNING

Robin admits, especially when an ex-offender “crashes”. “We are to be there as much with or over 30 years, Prison Fellowship the guy who falls to pieces as we are with the Northern Ireland has responded to guy who does well. We don’t condone their the spiritual, emotional, social and physical needs of prisoners, released behaviour. But it is the greatest privilege to work with people who don’t need to be told prisoners and their families. It is they have done wrong. People in the church affiliated to Prison Fellowship International, which operates in over 129 countries around are so good at wearing veneers. These guys are brutally honest.” the world. Prison Fellowship NI has nine It is that honesty that enables Prison members of staff, including three prison Fellowship to help people face up to what workers and three family workers. VOX they have done through a Restorative Justice spoke with CEO Robin Scott to find out more: “We are in a privileged position to have tremendous freedom THE PRISON BARS KEEP US SAFE… THEY KEEP US FROM within the prisons. We can walk up and down the FACING UP TO THE REAL PAIN OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE… landings and talk to the guys, as well as running courses and meetings,” Robin explained. “Over time, we have gained project called “The Sycamore Tree”.

This six-week accredited course in credibility and the confidence of the prison victim awareness has shown proven results service. We work alongside prison chaplains in changing attitudes towards crime. The and the prison management.”

At the heart of the work is a commitment group looks at the impact of crime and comes face to face with someone who has been the to build relationships, gaining trust and victim of crime. respect through consistent visits and “The punch line comes when we authentic friendships. ask them, ‘Who is your victim?’” Robin “For us, it is about integrity. I cannot say explained. “It is not just the individual I am only interested in someone’s spiritual that they have attacked. There are far, wellbeing if I am ignoring his physical, far biggerissues to consider with the emotional and social needs. One of the consequences of crime within a community. biggest gifts we can give anyone is time, “Some of the offenders have told us, ‘The oodles of time.” prison bars keep us safe… they keep us from “People have been let down and facing up to the real pain of what disappointed so many times. If you say, we have done…’”

‘I will come and see you’ and then don't, The system appears to be stacked against you reinforce what they already think - that the victim of crime. “So often, the victim nobody cares.” does not have a voice.

Putting faith into action is hard work,

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Justice is done ‘for’ them, yet the offender [while bearing the consequence of imprisonment] never fully faces up to what they have done,” Robin said.

THE “EASY ONE”

Robin joyfully recounts one story of a young man who came to the Prison Fellowship office just over a year ago.

“He knocked on our door and asked to speak to me by name. He joined us for lunch and we arranged a bed for the night. We provided support right up until Christmas but then throughout January there was no communication.

“In February 2013, he turned up at the front door and said, ‘How can I become a Christian?‘ He had been watching us closely [the way we behaved] and had spent January reading the Bible. Now, he is preparing to get baptised... But there are countless others who are not like that!”

SUPPORTING FAMILIES

One of Prison Fellowship’s major priorities is supporting the families of prisoners. “Their only crime is relationship and yet they often serve the same sentence on the outside,” Robin said.

Prison Fellowship family support workers provide practical, emotional and spiritual help. This may mean offering transport to and from the prison or delivering a box of groceries, arranging support for children going through trauma or simply befriending a wife or mother who feels isolated through shame or stigma. They also run a support group for the families of prisoners.

Describing the harsh reality for family members, Robin shared, “We knew one woman who used to leave at 7am to get to Belfast in order to catch a bus to visit a relative in Magilligan prison. After a 45-minute visit, she had to wait for a bus back to Belfast and was getting home after 8pm.”

After 28 years with the charity, Robin is more convinced than ever of the importance of the work he is doing. “Jesus went looking for the one that was lost. We can’t fix people but we can be there for them!”

For information about how you can pray, support or volunteer with Prison Fellowship NI, visit www.pfni.org.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN IRISH PRISONS

In 2012, the Irish Prison Service (IPS) committed to introducing pilot restorative justice projects in prisons. These projects give prisoners the opportunity to: • Address and take responsibility for their offending behaviour • Make reparations to the community • Increase awareness of the impact of their crime on victims and their families Two pilot projects ran in Wheatfield Prison and the Dóchas Centre. Work is currently focused on training facilitators for Restorative Justice courses and on finding effective ways that prisoners can make “reparation to the community”. In the past, community service has tended to be more “symbolic reparation” rather than making a valuable contribution to repairing harm.

Richard Roche, the Assistant Governor of the Irish Prison Service College and chair of a multi-disciplinary steering group for Restorative Justice, told VOX, “A very encouraging aspect of the project has been the wholehearted support for the philosophy of restorative practices by prisoners, staff and management of Wheatfield and the Dóchas Centre.”

Work continues to enhance links between various statutory and voluntary groups interested in developing and promoting the use of restorative practices to deal with conflict in Irish society in general.

CARING FOR EX-OFFENDERS TRAINING SEMINAR, Dublin – Saturday 21 June Venue: St Catherine’s Church, Thomas St., Dublin How can we reduce reoffending by reintegrating ex-offenders into society through the local church? This one-day seminar seeks to equip those who work or would like to work with ex-offenders (or those at risk of offending) in your church and includes practical steps for your church. Guest speakers include Paul Cowley, Executive Director of the William Wilberforce Trust. Cost: €25 (£20) per person (to cover lunch and materials). Special Group Rate for 4+ people: €20 (£15) per person.

To book your place, call +353 (0)1 473 5100 or email stcatherinesdublin@gmail.com. For further information visit www.stcatherinesdublin.ie/prison-ministry/.

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PROFIT THE PROPHETS FROM

STEADFAST LOVE . . . the key to the Old Testament he Old Testament is out of favour nowadays.

Even Bible-believing Christians have a tendency to approach it with the idea that “we know better”. Now that we have the teaching of Jesus, what more can the Old Testament tell us? Anyway, isn’t it all legalistic and lacking in grace or Good News?

No! The Old Testament is not out of step. In fact, it harmonises perfectly with the message of Jesus. The prophets knew God and knew Him to be merciful and gracious. When they scolded their listeners, it was because the people had forgotten the grace of God, His love and His righteousness and turned their religious practices into something mechanical.

But the prophets held out for the essence of relationship between God and His people. This is important, because it entirely cuts across the notion that Old Testament believers were bound by the law and only looked for salvation through law-keeping.

Some of the people may indeed have been trying to justify themselves by self-righteousness, just as many people

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of the Christian era unfortunately also imagine they must do. But this does not alter the fact that God had acted graciously. Many among the Israelites understood this.

It is wrong to offset the idea of a stern God of law in the Old Testament with a kinder Jesus of the New Testament. God has always been loving towards His people, and the minor prophets were challenging people to reflect that graciousness to others.

All this can be crystallised in the prophets’ use of one rich Hebrew word: hesed. There is no one English word that fully translates it. It appears in the various Bible versions as: love, loyalty, faithfulness, goodness, mercy, grace, kindness, unfailing love, steadfast love, tenderness of heart, and other combinations.

If we had to settle for one expression, I think “loving kindness," often used in the AV, is hard to beat. We can take a couple of examples to illustrate its fullness: “…for I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6) and “Who is a God like you . . . (who) delights in steadfast love?” (Micah 7:18).

MY STORY “My Story” is an opportunity for ordinary people living in Ireland to talk about their journey to faith or the impact God has in their daily lives.

MURIEL'S STORY rom a strict upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness, Muriel Reid you are or where you are, will you please show me?” It was a genuine shares how she found new life in Jesus: prayer.

I come from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was born a Two weeks later, I got a leaflet through the door from a church third generation Jehovah’s Witness. From when I was in Clondalkin, which said, “Do you want to get to know Jesus?” I small, I was going to meetings and knocking on doors. In decided to try that. I was the first one to arrive at the church and January 1975, I came over to Dublin. I was still a JW and kept that up right from the start, I knew I wanted what they had. until I was almost 30.

I always thought that to please God I had to knock on doors and But in 1980, there was a big article in “Time” magazine about the go to Bible studies. For 30 years, that was entrenched. But when I Jehovah’s Witness organisation. Two elders from Dublin went over to started reading the Bible again, it was like reading it for the first time. the US to find out what was happening and they came back with lots I remember one day I was on the bus reading Romans 8 about of serious issues and questions. how God can adopt me and I can become His child. I thought, The huge result was that I left the witnesses. That was traumatic.

“That’s it!” I was still afraid but right there on the 51B bus, I gave My family were still JWs and when you my life to the Lord. It was a leap of faith, leave, they cut you off completely. All my jumping into the unknown, but I knew I friends turned their backs on me. It was needed Him. I WAS STILL AFRAID BUT RIGHT THERE ON THE hard when my family wouldn’t speak to The witnesses don’t believe that Jesus is me. Over the years, they softened a bit God so that was a revelation. I remember 51B BUS, I GAVE MY LIFE TO THE LORD. but it has never been the same. walking across a field trying to figure out When you are questioning all the the Trinity. I couldn’t seem to get my head beliefs you have had since childhood, around it and then I felt the Lord saying, your head is left in a state of meltdown. I didn’t know what to believe “Just rest in that.” Jesus is Lord and that was it!! Even now, I wonder any more. My whole life had been wrapped up in being a JW. how I got to this amazing place considering where I came from. It is There was a lot of pain and hurt in walking away. I always believed just the Lord’s grace. there was a God and I always believed and loved the Bible. But I didn’t In 2002, I collapsed with two brain haemorrhages. It was touch know the author of that lovely book. and go for a while. I know I got through because of the support It wasn’t until 1994 that my parents let me go home. My dad had a and prayers of the church. Getting better was a slow process and it huge library and while I was there, I picked up a book for the journey changed my viewpoint on life. I realised how precious life is. Now, I home. It was called “Appointment in Jerusalem” and tells the story of get up almost every day and say, “Thank you Lord for this day.” Jesus Lydia Prince. I was amazed how this woman had met with Jesus when is everything I need. He is my safe place. she began to pray.

Sometimes I think back to when I was knocking on doors. One Soon afterwards, I came across a little poem about prayer called particular Christian couple stand out in my mind - I wish I could go “The Difference”. I wasn’t in a good way and I felt I had no hope. back and tell them what has happened in my life. When JWs come to Because of all I had gone through, I was very afraid but when I read your door, pray for them and share your testimony! You never know that poem, I got down on my knees and said, “Lord, I don’t know who the impact it will make!

F

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FINDING FAITH TOUR 2014 JOIN THE JOURNEY... SHARE YOUR STORY 10 - 16 MAY I

n 2013, VOX set out on adventure, travelling around Ireland to hunt down stories of faith, life and reality in 21st Century Ireland. It was an amazing journey, and we were overwhelmed by the response. We loved it! You loved it! And so… drumroll please… we’ve decided to

do it again!

Taking a slightly different route in an attempt to reach new counties and different places, VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams hopes to visit individuals, churches and ministries around Ireland to find out what God is doing and share their stories to encourage and inspire us all!

This time, Ruth hopes to start at Malin Head to pray for Ireland from the most northerly point on Saturday 10 May (let us know if you’d like to join us) and, if at all possible, will visit Mizen Head during her time in West Cork.

As word has spread, we already have many requests for a visit, but there is still room for (a few) more, especially if you are in Leitrim, Mayo, Wexford, Kerry, the Midlands or Northern Ireland. Ruth is also interested to visit retreat centres if they are not too far off her planned route.

Whose crazy id ea was this?

Write to ruth@vox.ie, contact us on Twitter or Facebook or telephone 087 795 5401 to request a visit. Offers of accommodation (as close as possible to the last stop of the day) would be most welcome.

DAY

1

DAY

2

SATURDAY 10 MAY

Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo

SUNDAY 11

Mayo (morning), Roscommon/ Athlone (afternoon), Mullingar (evening) Staying in south Dublin or north Wicklow.

DAY

TUESDAY 13TH

DAY

WEDNESDAY 14TH

4

5

DAY DAY

3

MONDAY 12

Wicklow (morning), Wexford and Waterford (afternoon) Staying in West Cork (arriving late evening). =Accomodation Needed

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6

DAY

7

West Cork (morning) - including a possible trip to Mizen Head - Kerry (afternoon), evening flexible for Limerick, Clare or Tipperary.

Tipperary, Offaly, Laois, Kildare, Dublin

THURSDAY 15TH

Dublin, Meath, Cavan, Louth - could stay either side of the border

FRIDAY 16TH

Northern Ireland, Donegal (home sweet home)

CONFESSIONS OF A FEINT SAINT

Time to Reconcile

By Annmarie Miles was about 15 minutes late to say goodbye to my Dad. I didn’t delay after got the call, but as I drove down the road, it never occurred to me that he wouldn’t still be with us by the time I got there.

I am not consumed with guilt for not driving faster. My seven siblings were there; he was surrounded by love as he took his last breath. But I do have to reconcile myself to the fact that I didn’t get to say goodbye.

One of my brothers works in the area of ‘Restorative Justice’. Day to day, he comes into contact with people who have been affected by crime - victims and offenders. Both parties need to find a way to repair the harm caused and restore, as much as possible, the damaged relationship. Reconciliation can be difficult and challenging.

At my Dad’s funeral, we read from Romans 5, including these verses: “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

If you’ve read the stories I’ve shared here about my Dad, you’ll know that he was a handful at times but he had a great sense of humour and was very funny. He didn’t like people being late but he was always glad when you eventually arrived. He certainly wasn’t one to hold a grudge. He didn’t dwell on anything negative – only the good stuff was repeated… a lot! :) I reckon he’d be quite happy for me to let myself off the hook for not making it in time. I know for sure that God Himself would not want me to have any guilt – about anything.

Reconciliation, as hard as it is, has been achieved – we know that’s true.

Applying it to daily life, putting it into practice - that’s the kicker.

So I’m going to be gentle with myself. Jesus did a huge thing to bring reconciliation to the world – I would only lessen its impact on my life if I did not reconcile myself to being a few minutes late.

Sometimes there's only one person left to accept forgiveness from. If it is yourself - then go ahead and take the time to accept it. Even at almost 84, my Dad would agree that life is too short to hold a grudge... with anyone.

I

He was a handful at times, but he had a great sense of humour and was very funny.

Annmarie Miles is originally from Tallaght, now living in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare.

She is married to Richard from Wales. She spends her days writing, teaching and talking. Her first collection of short stories, 'The Long & The Short of It' is available in all formats at www.emuink.ie (Fiction Section) and also in Footprints in Dun Laoghaire.

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Run a Marathon / Half Marathon

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VOX JAN - MAR 2014

REALITY

5

TIPS FOR A BETTER HOLIDAY

EXPLORING SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

BY KRISTA BURNS

veryone looks forward to their holidays. How could you not?! A week on the sunny shores of somewhere is just what the doctor ordered after a long, arduous winter of gale-force winds and perpetually numb fingers. It’s a great opportunity leave daily life behind, relax and unwind. Sadly, one thing that many people forget to pack is their awareness of social responsibility.

The list of places ruined by tourism is shocking. It includes Stonehenge, Bali, Masi Mara, The Great Wall of China, The Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu and The Great Barrier Reef. These are treasures that are slipping through our fingers at such a rate that our children might only hear stories about them.

In 2013, Bali welcomed 3.2 million tourists to its shores. It is estimated that every four-star Bali hotel suite consumes an estimated 300 litres of water a day. This is pushing the nation

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EVERY FOUR-STAR BALI HOTEL SUITE CONSUMES AN ESTIMATED 300 LITRES OF WATER A DAY. THIS IS PUSHING THE NATION TO THE BRINK OF A WATER CRISIS. to the brink of a water crisis. 700 hectares of land each year are converted into hotels or luxury residences, and each day 13,000 cubic metres of rubbish are thrown into the public dumps.

What the ads don’t tell you is that many of our favourite spots don’t have the infrastructure to cope with the impact of the tourism. In the end, the locals and the environment feel the effects.

I’m not telling you this to ruin your holiday before it’s even begun. But the saying is true… it is all fun and games until someone gets hurt. We need to be sure that our holidays are not hurting others!

As Christians, we don’t get to take a holiday from being the hands and feet of Christ. Being a socially conscious tourist means you will understand the impact you have on the places you visit and do everything you can to minimise negative consequences. By adding thought and care to your holiday planning, you could be a blessing instead of a burden to the local community.

Here are a few practical tips to get you started:

VOX MAGAZINE

1. R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Respect culture: Research the area before you go and try to learn a few words in the language. Many places have English speakers, but if you’re going off the beaten path, chances are you’ll encounter non-English speakers. Simply speaking louder and slower will not help the situation! Avoid criticising someone else’s culture just because it is different. If in doubt, keep your mouth shut!

Respect wildlife: Follow the rules and use your own common sense. Many animals have been put down as a direct result of tourists being too curious and too keen for that amazing photo. Ending the life of an elephant (or any other creature) is not the kind of holiday memory you want!

Respect holy places: Observe all the rules of holy places, even if you don’t agree with the local religion. If in doubt, ask someone or go somewhere else instead. Stomping through an ancient holy ground is not a good way to show the love of Christ.

Respect Resources: Be aware of the amount of water you use. Water is a precious resource that we take for granted in Ireland. If you are staying in a hotel, request that your sheets and towels are NOT changed every day.

Before you leave Ireland, remove any excess packaging and waste from your luggage. Many countries are already struggling to deal with excess waste - don’t add to it. Only take things with you that you intend to bring back home. If in doubt, leave it out!

Make an effort to buy local produce instead of foreign goods and never buy products made from endangered species.

2. HIRE A LOCAL TOUR GUIDE

Seeing your surroundings through the eyes of someone who is invested in the community can completely change your experience and you’ll be providing him or her with some income, which boosts the local economy.

Win-Win! Check out Tripadvisor.com or ask your hotel or booking agent for recommendations.

3. DITCH THE WHEELS

When possible, hire a bicycle, walk, or use public transport. You’ll meet local people, use some of that new language you’ve learned, cut down on carbon emissions and keep your waistline in check because, let’s face it, your diet is long gone by now.

THINGS TO

5 IN A HOTEL LOOK FOR

•

Ask to see their written policy regarding the environment. If they don’t take you seriously, then chances are they don’t take the environment seriously.

•

Ask how many local people they employ and if any of them are in management positions and if they employ local guides.

•

Ask what percentage of their goods and services are sourced from within 25km of their location.

•

Ask how they treat their wastewater.

Many hotels are pumping waste water into the sea, which is destroying the coral reefs and polluting the ocean and beaches.

•

Ask if they know of any local projects that you could get involved with while you’re there.

4. VOLUNTEER

If you are able to, connect with a local church prior to your trip and ask if /how you could support them. You could also ask your tour operator or hotel if there are any local projects where you could serve for a day or two. If you’re interested in doing serious volunteering abroad, contact Tearfund or Team Hope or visit www.imap.ie for more opportunities. Be aware that not all volunteering is helpful! Read “When helping hurts” by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert for some important perspectives.

5. GIVE FEEDBACK

If you had an amazing holiday at a socially responsible hotel or resort, give feedback about your experience online. It will encourage others to book with them and have an eco-aware holiday themselves!

THERE ARE TONNES OF RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP YOU BOOK A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE HOLIDAY. HERE ARE A FEW THAT COULD GET YOU STARTED: • •

At www.responsibletravel.com you can book anything from a city break to a gorilla safari. All their vendors have gone through strenuous screenings to ensure they comply to a strict code of ethics.

At www.workaway.info you can book into a farm or similar venue to receive free food and board in exchange for helping out a few hours a day. It could be a great way to go for someone looking to travel on a budget. There are listings world wide so the opportunities are endless.

Krista Burns is VOX's graphic designer and photographer. Originally from Oregon, she moved to Ireland three years ago to be a part of South City Church in Stillorgan.

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REALITY

GLOBAL JUSTICE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT ALL GOES WRONG?

n matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.” - Albert Einstein In Ireland, we expect our criminal justice system to ensure that those who are found guilty of crime will face consequences for their actions. We expect our laws to protect the vulnerable and ensure that victims of abuse in any form can seek justice. But what happens when the whole system of law and order breaks down? Or when corruption and abuse of power become the norm? What happens when a nation is plunged into civil war or suffers widespread human rights abuses? VOX magazine spoke with James Gallen, lecturer in law at DCU who specialises in issues of justice on a global scale, to find out more.

I

language (describing what has happened), we can lose sight of the human cost of injustice.

WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES TO RESTORATION IN PLACES WHERE THERE HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD INJUSTICE?

One of the biggest challenges is the temptation to make the perpetrator into the “other” - to demonise those responsible. While this seems logical [punishing those who have done wrong], this type of response can effectively continue the conflict. According to a 2008 study, up to 40% of civil wars revert back to violence within 10 years of the original conflict (Collier, Hoeffler & Söderbom).

TELL US ABOUT YOUR INTEREST AND EXPERIENCE IN ISSUES OF GLOBAL JUSTICE. Both theory and reality show that in order to establish My training and education is in law, looking at its role and limits in a lasting solution, societies need to find forms of peaceful achieving social change, peace and justice. I did my Masters in the US coexistence. If we rebuild societies where there is an and worked with the International Center for Transitional Justice. [Ed: “other” - even if they are war criminals - it is unlikely that Transitional Justice is the process of establishing appropriate methods to those societies can move forward. redress the legacy of large-scale human rights abuses.]

This remains a big challenge. It is one thing to say it is At the time, Nepal had necessary to create signed its peace agreement a shared future but and was looking to form a it is another thing government. I served there to ask people who “IN MATTERS OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN by commenting on legislation have experienced LARGE AND SMALL PROBLEMS, FOR ISSUES CONCERNING THE TREATMENT for a truth commission, horrific violations meeting with victims’ to consider these OF PEOPLE ARE ALL THE SAME.” - ALBERT EINSTEIN organisations to identify issues. needs and priorities and Moving looking at best practice from other countries. on cannot be done cheaply. To do it meaningfully is After six months, I returned to Dublin to do my PhD, for which I also had extremely draining for people who have already been the opportunity to visit East Timor and revisit Nepal. I had been studying drained. The role of the international organisation or human rights but being placed at the coalface, I learned to appreciate the facilitator is not to own the process but to support the “intimate” and personal nature of human rights violations. In formal legal decisions of those involved, even if they do not lead to stable outcomes or lasting peace.

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VOX MAGAZINE

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF LAW IN REESTABLISHING A PEACEFUL SOCIETY?

Law seeks to change people’s behaviour, attitudes and perceptions.

In Ireland, we value law that treats us equally and fairly; we believe we should not have different laws for different people. However, when the social and political fabric is no longer shared and when one group does not trust the other, it is difficult to expect law to work.

Law can facilitate structures for shared spaces and provide a form of acknowledgement to people who have been disenfranchised. It can highlight wrongdoing and establish a process for reparation.

But, at times, the law can reinforce a sense of injustice. It can re-traumatise people. During the Rwanda tribunals, some judges treated victims abruptly while another judge fell asleep! If we fail to treat people with value and dignity, then the law’s response can be harmful.

HOW CAN PRINCIPLES OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE BE APPLIED AT THE MACRO SCALE?

Victim-and survivor-centred restorative justice is the appropriate starting point. However, the reality in a conflict situation can be very different from that of a peaceful society.

When someone is murdered in Ireland, the family would expect the legal system to enact justice. But it is deeply questionable whether that assumption holds in a situation such as in Rwanda, where up to 100,000 people killed hundreds of thousands in less than four months.

People will disagree about what justice requires but in reality we cannot always punish everyone who deserves punishment. We need another way but without simply letting people “get away with it”. It might mean adopting other forms of restorative justice such as truth commissions or reparations.

If we are serious and consistent about holding a victim-centred view, it is not for us to second-guess what a victim feels. It takes time to rebuild trust in the rule of law. We must not be too quick to dismiss the victim’s cry for punishment (there is a need to listen and to stand in solidarity), but we must also be aware that going with our gut is a bad basis for making policy.

ARE THERE GOOD EXAMPLES OF COUNTRIES THAT HAVE RESPONDED TO PREVIOUS CONFLICT OR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN A WAY THAT IS JUST AND FAIR?

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CHRISTIANS IN IRELAND?

Studying these issues has re-energised my faith and made me question, what does it mean to do justice as a Christian?

Justice is something that permeates public discourse. What type of society do we want to be? My concern is that we need to have an active engagement in shaping that society. Doing justice as a citizen and as a Christian should be overlapping rather than contradictory.

We could take an active role by having more solidarity with victims of abuse in all its forms. When I am in solidarity, I am sharing the burdens of others.

As a Christian in a civic society, we need to be able to understand and defend the view that we don’t like and to stand in solidarity with those who have suffered, whoever they are.

When we have not suffered serious injustice or abuse personally, we need to be mindful of our position and privilege, and to adopt a posture of listening to the other person’s viewpoint. It may be that our role is to get out of the way.

We want to live in a society where

Until now, it has been difficult for any one country to adopt the type of comprehensive approach that is needed.

Usually, is it a question of resources.

Justice is important but often politics and economics take precedent.

The South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was a rigorous, expensive and powerful process building on the work of Latin American truth commissions. The TRC encouraged people to believe that the state was willing to address justice in a serious and principled way.

However, some have criticised its lack of response to the socioeconomic consequences of human rights abuses. (For example, a man who was IF WE FAIL TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH VALUE AND DIGNITY, tortured by having his legs broken not THEN THE LAW’S RESPONSE CAN BE HARMFUL. only suffered from physical pain but also became destitute because he was no longer able to work his land).

Since then, commissions in Peru and the “other” is accepted. If we are trying East Timor have built on the lessons learnt to be lights to the world and live out that in South Africa. calling, I don’t see how being hostile and combative is going to achieve that.

HOW DOES IRELAND RATE WHEN IT COMES TO We need to consider the type of society LARGE-SCALE ISSUES OF JUSTICE? we are creating if our beliefs are so fragile To my mind, in Ireland we have two that they cannot withstand statements ways of engaging with global justice. Firstly, from another person’s point of view. we have an excellent reputation through the Good Friday agreement, although it would be important to consolidate that reputation.

Secondly, issues such as clerical sex abuse, industrial schools and the Magdalene Laundries have met with partial responses. We don’t want to be a society where injustices remain unmet.

It is important to see more debate and engagement with the political sphere from citizens and civil society, advocating for effective responses to issues of injustice, including the past in Northern Ireland.

For further reading, visit www.plato.stanford.edu/entries/justice-transitional.

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FAITH

SEAMLESS ROBES AND GRAVE CLOTHES KEN GIBSON MEDITATES ON THE CLOTHES JESUS WORE… eading the Easter story, I’m fascinated by in one piece. But just because I like it some of the details: carefully noted yet doesn’t make it true. often overlooked when we read too quickly.

We're told, in John 19 : 23, that when the SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE soldiers crucified Jesus, they divided His The first century followers were Jews, clothes into four shares. That wasn't unusual. fully versed in Jewish tradition. When Crucifixion was a gruesome business. One of they read or heard John’s Gospel, we can the soldiers’ rewards was a share in the victim’s be sure they understood the significance possessions. If you read the chapter quickly, you might of the seamless robe. They would have skip the next sentence but you’d lose a whole depth of known that Leviticus 21 commanded meaning. Having divided the clothes into piles, one for the High Priest to wear a seamless robe. each of them, the soldiers were left with Jesus' tunic.

Subtly, but powerfully, the Gospel points The Gospel says, "This garment was seamless, woven in out that Jesus wore the uniform of the one piece from top to bottom."

High Priest: entirely appropriate for the Reading this, my mind starts to race. The robe was One who was to atone for the sins of the seamless, "woven in one piece from top to bottom." A world. description that many might take as a casual comment But there's more! While it was sparks a list of questions in my mind. common for people to rip their clothes, A seamless robe was a precious item. It's no the High Priest was forbidden to rip his. wonder the soldiers gambled for it. So, where did the If he did, he invalidated, and brought itinerant Jesus get such a valuable piece of clothing? to an end, his ministry as High Priest.

Perhaps one of the women who followed Him made Matthew and Mark both tell us that, it. Was it a gesture of thanks for a miracle performed: when Caiaphas, the High Priest, had a child raised from the dead, a husband healed or finished questioning Jesus, he tore his a marriage restored? Perhaps a gift from the happy own robe. Did you ever notice that couple whose wedding He saved at Cana? We’re not before? The Gospel writers, collectively, told. tell us I’m wondering what, that the ultimately, happened to that old High robe. Tradition, outside the THE GOSPEL POINTS OUT THAT JESUS WORE Priest had Bible, has three answers. All THE UNIFORM OF THE HIGH PRIEST been made three say that the soldier redundant. who won it sold it to a His role was traveller. One says it ended up in Trier, Germany. invalidated and he had been replaced.

Another places it in Paris, France. The third suggests It was the High Priest who entered the country known as Georgia. I like the Georgian into God’s presence in the Holy of option because that tradition says the tunic is still Holies, offering to God for the sins of

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the people. He was the only one who could mediate between humankind and God. He did this behind a curtain that separated the ordinary Jew from God’s presence. Matthew and Luke tell us that, at the moment Jesus died, the temple curtain was torn in two.

On that first Good Friday, the last barrier between God and man was breached. The message is clear: the High Priest, who had been the only intermediary between God and humankind, has been replaced by Jesus and, through His death and resurrection, we all have access to the presence of God…. There is no barrier!

PROPHESY FULFILLED!

Back in John 19, the soldiers gambled for Jesus’ robe. “Let’s not tear it,” they said. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” John 19 : 24, however, offers an important comment: “This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, ‘they divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.’”

Seeing what happened at the foot of the cross that day, the Gospel writer reflects on Jewish prophecy. Every Jew would have been familiar with the words of Psalm 22, which he quotes.

Written centuries earlier, that Psalm offers confirmation that Jesus is the one promised long ago to deliver God’s people from their sin.

VOX MAGAZINE

P LL DID YOU CELEBRATE LENT? GRAVE CLOTHES

Over in John 20, the writer talks about the grave clothes that Jesus wore.

The detail, again, is fascinating. Simon Peter, we’re told, went into the tomb and saw the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head lying there. He also saw the strips of linen that had been wrapped around His body. This is hugely significant. Whatever happened in the tomb that morning, we can be sure that nobody stole the body. Thieving disciples would not have delayed to remove the linen.

The head cloth was still lying in its place separate from the linen. Why would they be separate? Well, wouldn’t it make sense that the head cloth would be removed first so that Jesus could then see to the other cloths?

Could it be that an angel came and removed the head cloth for Jesus? If he did, it's likely he folded it where he removed it while Jesus attended, separately, to unwrapping the other bandages. It’s interesting that all three of the other Gospels mention the presence of angels at the tomb.

ent is a big deal in Ireland with people from all sorts of different backgrounds choosing to “give up” something during the traditional period of fasting within the Christian calendar. For some, this is more akin to a New Year’s resolution than a spiritual discipline.

As Christians, we know that the work of Christ on the cross was complete. Fasting does not earn forgiveness, which is God’s free gift. But today Christians from many different backgrounds are re-discovering Lent as an opportunity to draw close to Jesus by laying something down in order to focus on Him. For some, it is also an opportunity to embrace something new instead of fasting in the traditional sense.

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In a recent VOX POLL we asked our readers if they were taking part in Lent. Out of 60 people who responded, 15% said they do not celebrate Lent while a further 44% were not intending to give up anything.

21% JUNK FOOD Chocolate came second with 15% willing to wait for their Easter Eggs.

WHATEVER HAPPENED IN THE TOMB THAT MORNING, WE CAN BE SURE THAT NOBODY STOLE THE BODY. When Jesus appeared to Mary and the men on the road to Emmaus, nothing in the accounts suggest anything unusual about the way He was dressed. Somehow He was buried in grave clothes but appeared in normal clothes. Have you ever wondered where He might have got those clothes?

I’m speculating again, but wouldn’t it be neat if the angel who removed His head covering also brought Him a change of clothes?

15% CHOCOLATE

11% SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media was third most popular among our readers with 11% signing out for 40 days.

One church is observing a “negativity” fast - choosing to focus on the blessings God has given - and several people were combining prayer and fasting.

While 40% were intending to give up something, a number had decided to add something to their lives. This included spending more time in prayer, reading the Bible or sharing their faith.

WHAT TWITTER SAID ABOUT LENT:

This year 646,000 people posted about Lent on Twitter. A poll was taken of the top 100 things people are giving up and I’ve chosen the 5 funniest things that were commonly posted. #

Ken Gibson is CEO of The Leprosy Mission Ireland and serves on the boards of Christian organisations dedicated to fighting injustice. He also serves as a development consultant.

For those who do celebrate Lent, Junk Food topped the list for our readers with about 21% giving up the chipper.

1 SCHOOL (11,000)

#

2 SELFIES (731)

#

#

#

4 WINTER (853) 5 LENT (2,800)

3 TROUSERS (270) APRIL - JUNE 2014 VOX

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REALITY

LIGHTING UP SOUTH DUBLIN AN INSPIRING PROJECT GIVES POSITIVE ALTERNATIVES TO DISADVANTAGED YOUNG PEOPLE n a school, a group of young entrepreneurs present their ideas to a “Dragon’s Den” of volunteers from the corporate world.

There is a sense of excitement and hope as the youngsters dream dreams and consider how they can make the world a better place.

In “The Yard”, teens work side by side with mentors who teach them woodwork and bike maintenance. The focus is on providing useful life skills and connecting teenagers with inspiring role models.

Through a restorative justice conference, a young man comes face to face with the woman he stabbed and listens while she shares the long-term impact of his crime on her life.

A young ex-offender arrives for his appointment with FAS three months after release from prison.

It has been a long wait. Usually confident, he is intimidated by officialdom and terrified of the interview. He wants to leave, but a mentor with the Solas Project coaches him through the process that will enable him to find work and re-engage with society.

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THE SOLAS PROJECT:

Featured recently on the RTE One’s “Would you believe?” programme, the Solas Project is an inspiring example of the impact Christians can make on the lives of young people in their community. From schools to prisons, over 70 volunteers and a handful of staff deliver a raft of programmes aimed at helping young people overcome limitations imposed by social and educational disadvantage.

It began as a small homework club for ten children at risk of early school leaving. Today the Solas Project 24

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serves 500 children and young people and is a registered charity running citywide initiatives.

IN FOR THE LONG HAUL

CEO Graham Jones is passionate about enabling young people to make positive choices. “Quite often I see people who are caught up in the ’effects’ of life instead of being the ‘cause’ of their life. People have a victim mentality and do not feel equipped or empowered to change things.

“The worst thing you can say about somebody is ‘scumbag’ and everywhere I go I hear it. For me, no matter what programmes we deliver, fundamental to everything is the desire that a young person can truly understand how valuable they are. When they understand that, they start to make better choices.

“The opposite is also true. So often, young people make decisions based on perceptions, stigma or labels. It is heartbreaking to hear a guy say he can’t go to college because he is from a certain area.”

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The key is taking a long-term view of youth work - building relationship with young people and being consistently available to them.

BREAKING THE CYCLE

As the project has developed, Graham and his team have started working with young offenders in Wheatfield Prison.

“I’ve been a victim of crime, it is horrendous and I get angry that people are made to suffer,” Graham explains. “But it is not enough to stand back and shout blame about the behaviour without trying to solve the issue.”

The justice system offers a way to control behaviour (imprisonment), but with up to 70% of young men re-offending within three years of release from prison, there is a need to break the cycle.

“There is a need for consequences and for people to pay the price for their behaviour, but equally there needs to be an opportunity for them to make amends and to change. You cannot have one without the other.

“As we dig into the reasons behind the behaviour, we have a greater chance of being part of a solution that will avoid future victims. We have an intentional strategy to meet prisoners and engage with them through meaningful activities such as music production and tag rugby.

“Those things are good in themselves but they also create an environment in which relationships can be established. We come alongside these young people, to prepare for their release and to support them once they are back in the community.

“A cynical view would be that we are mollycoddling these young people. But a true definition of love includes challenge and boundaries.”

JOIN THE TEAM!

The Solas Project is always looking for new volunteers for all their educational and sports programmes.

There is a careful recruitment process to ensure high standards of child protection and that the right individuals are matched with the right opportunities.

“We would love to see people get involved and the options are not limited to working with young people. Folks with professional skills can also donate their time and expertise,” Graham said.

Graham is convinced that the lessons learnt throughout the Solas Project could provide a framework for other community initiatives around the country. To find out more or to get in touch, visit www.solasproject.ie.

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REALITY

CAN BIG BUSINESS HELP THE POOR? I

n February, VOX ran a LIVE online conversation between business leader John Foong and development expert Reuben Coulter.

John, from Australia, lived in Dublin for 16 years, working with Google before moving to America six months ago. Reuben headed up Tearfund Ireland for many years before moving to Switzerland 15 months ago to work with the World Economic Forum. Editor Ruth Garvey-Williams hosted the conversation exploring business, poverty and justice. Here’s a taste of what they had to say:

RUTH: At the Rubicon conference in Dublin,

John suggested big business can have a significant contribution to issues of poverty and justice. Tell us more.

JOHN: For 20 years, I’ve been grappling with what I do with my life. At 15, I felt convicted to become a pastor. That was always the plan, but I really enjoyed doing business. I became a management consultant and a colleague said, “You think what you are doing is just helping companies make more money but by making companies effective, you are actually making a difference in the world.” Big business has been more effective than many other groups in alleviating poverty and addressing issues of justice.

REUBEN: I started out working in public health in Darfur, Congo and Liberia, seeing the devastation poverty causes in people’s lives. Despite my best work, it often felt like a drop in the ocean. I began to

General Electric has an economy larger than New Zealand! When any one entity has too much power, injustice inevitably follows. I believe that business can and should do good. But I don’t believe that is an inevitable result of business.

JOHN: Big business can be an unstoppable force that builds, creates and makes things happen. Often that tips over into income inequality and injustice. The role of good government and the public is to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Businesses have the ability to produce externalities - costs that the general public pays. Pollution is a classic example.

A company making profit may cause pollution but the people paying the price are future generations.

BIG BUSINESS HAS BEEN MORE EFFECTIVE THAN MANY OTHER GROUPS IN ALLEVIATING POVERTY AND ADDRESSING ISSUES OF JUSTICE. appreciate there are multiple actors in this ecosystem. Government provides infrastructure. Business allocates goods efficiently and hopefully fairly. The not-for-profit space ensures the gaps are plugged.

Multinationals have incredible power. For example,

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spiritual impact. And these need to be measured over the long term.

RUTH: What is the role of the consumer in keeping businesses accountable?

JOHN: If the supply chain is not moral or if the company is doing things or treating their workers in a way that is not ethical, the consumer has a responsibility to speak up. I believe consumers also need to consume the best products. The capitalist system only works if people buy the best things, thus driving the market to make those things.

REUBEN: That poses a wider question about the value of endless consumption capitalism. We create more demand and become more and more unsatisfied. As Christians, we need to consider, what is the

I BELIEVE THAT BUSINESS CAN AND SHOULD DO GOOD. BUT I DON’T BELIEVE THAT IS AN INEVITABLE RESULT OF BUSINESS.

REUBEN: We need to create a global

framework, providing accountability and ensuring that businesses cannot opt out of their responsibility. Companies should be measured on the triple bottom-line: not just profit but also environmental and social impact. Christian businesses should also consider their

role of consumption in our lives and how do we moderate it?

I agree the consumer has an important role but it is difficult because of the lack of transparency. Some companies are profiled for their poor supply chains but many others do similar things but we don’t know about it.

An eye-opening moment happened when I visited my pension advisor. I asked what stocks made up the fund

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he suggested and the list was a vast array of drinks, tobacco and weapons manufacturers.

When I said, “I can’t invest in this; do you have any ethical pensions?” He said, “In 30 years, you are the first person who has ever asked me about an ethical pension.” People who call themselves Christians spend their money and don’t consider the impact of what they are doing.

JOHN: I don’t necessarily see that it is the role of business to set standards, but we as a society (the consumers, the media and the government) need to decide what laws can help keep businesses accountable.

RUTH: Does this mean that business has no responsibility?

JOHN: Not if you put it that way! It is hard to force businesses to do what they should.

However, there is a great opportunity for business to set standards. Businesses that are seeking to make a profit may actually find it will give them an advantage if people see they are acting ethically.

REUBEN: Business and capitalism have lifted millions out of poverty. When China opened up and conducted economic reforms, that helped to address poverty.

However, it left a strong legacy of injustice.

Unfettered business has consequences such as the degradation of the environment.

Legislation is often in place, but businesses move to avoid it. If an American business does [something bad] in its own

RUTH: What are positive examples of the

contribution of business?

REUBEN: Christians have an opportunity to bring their faith into daily life. Whether I work in a multinational company or I’m an entrepreneur or a small shop owner, I need to ask, “How can I bring my values into what I do every day?” We need to start thinking about transformational business.

WE’VE LIVED FOR DECADES ON THE STEROIDS OF CHEAP CREDIT AND EASY GROWTH. REUBEN: Inequality is increasingly topical.

JOHN: Most big companies have corporate

social responsibility, giving time and money to doing good work. That is fine but, it does not mean they are acting morally or ethically for the remaining 99% of the time.

Work brings dignity. Unemployment is debilitating, sapping motivation and self esteem. As big business becomes more successful, it hires more people and provides more interesting jobs through innovation.

That brings dignity to those involved and ultimately reduces unemployment.

I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE MY OWN COMPANY; I AM ONE LEADER AMONG MANY, BUT I CAN START WITH ME. backyard, it will be held to account. But if it does this in China, the people can’t hold it to account for a product sold to the American consumer.

JOHN: Sometimes it does work. Apple is based in America and does business buying and selling in China. The Chinese government and the citizens held Apple to account for abuses in Foxconn, and Apple apologised because of their economic dependency on China.

for spurring innovation and providing rewards to people who innovate, take risks and work hard, yet I’m concerned about income inequality.

The purely capitalist part of me asks, “What is the government going to do? Place a limit on profits or pay?” At the same time, there are real issues around how income is distributed, not necessarily evenly but fairly, and how we stop the rich becoming richer at a faster pace than others.

RUTH: Does the drive for profit negate the

positives? Surely the profit motive can lead to cut corners?

JOHN: Most companies report quarterly.

They are traded up or down based on whether they make a profit this quarter. That leads to cut corners. Wouldn’t it be better to report quarterly on the triple bottom line? I think the profit motive is essential

We see the results in social tension and chaos. This affects long-term sustainability.

It is not good for a business if society collapses. In our relentless drive for short-term profit, we undermine the very goal we are setting out to achieve. As a Christian, there is an incredible role for transformed hearts. When people’s hearts are transformed, they no longer want to exploit others.

JOHN: The Christian sense of stewardship says we are here to make the world a better place. I see that DNA in a lot of companies.

It is a powerful recruiting tool because people want to work for a company that is changing the world and not just making profit.

REUBEN: The world needs to decide what sort of future we want for our children and grandchildren. We’ve lived for decades on the steroids of cheap credit and easy growth.

I’m excited about the role that Christians can play.

JOHN: I may not be able to change my own company; I am one leader among many, but I can start with me. I want to focus on how as a manager, employer and consumer I can treat others with dignity. I want to think about the decisions I make. How do they affect future generations? Do they leave the world a better place?

VISIT WWW.VOX.IE/VIDEO TO VIEW THE FULL 45-MINUTE CONVERSATION.

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New Hope Church invites you to

THE FATHER’S HEART

A Prophetic Worship, Teaching and Prayer Conference in Kilkenny from 27th - 29th June 2014 With Staff & Students from the International House of Prayer (Pastored by Mike Bickle in Kansas City, U.S.A)

Be saturated in God’s Presence Christ Centred Bible Teaching Ministry & the Prophetic Be renewed and refreshed Kids Programme: “Learning to Be a True Worshipper of Jesus”

Service Times: Friday: 7pm, Saturday: 11am & 7pm, Sunday: 11am & 7pm Like Us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/newhopekilkenny for conference updates www.newhope.ie Further Information: (086) 1644039

FAITH

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RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

“TSEDEKAH” - A SHORT STUDY ON THE HEBREW MEANING OF “JUSTICE” IN THE SCRIPTURES

BY KATHY NICHOLS

ebrew has several words relating to justice. However, the main Hebrew word for justice has some rather fascinating elements, which are well worth examining.

Restorative justice is an excellent English term describing “tsedekah”. In the original meaning, the function of justice in one’s personal life, or through the law, was meant to be about restoration. For example, when the two women came to Solomon, each of them claimed to be the mother of the same child. Solomon restored the child to the right mother (1 Kings 3:16).

As mentioned, in the Scriptures “tsedekah” is the main word for justice.

However, it may be surprising to learn that “tsedekah” is also the modern-day Hebrew word for charity! Giving charity is about helping to restore others to a better way of life. The modern rendition has kept the key biblical idea of justice – that of “righting wrongs” in the kindest way possible.

This charity given through loving, humble, thoughtful actions, in our Christian New Testament setting, extends grace to the person – this is lifechanging justice, the same kind Jesus extends to us.

However, this isn’t the only meaning of this beautiful ancient concept. The second idea is keeping and holding onto what is right, while at the same time bringing about justice. As we well know from recent events in our own country, giving charity while quietly enlarging personal bank accounts in the process isn’t in keeping with the genuine biblical idea.

In another example of “tsedekah”, one of our traffic laws requires drivers to drive on the lefthand side of the road. The law is upheld by some form of deterrent or punishment, or else it would become mere advice. This in turn would produce chaos on our roads.

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Upholding or practicing of the law by the general public is the “righteous” element of the ancient word.

The result, then, of the living out righteous laws is order and therefore a happy population. This was the Lord’s idea in the Old Testament through the Judges and Kings as they ruled but since they frequently were

GIVING CHARITY WHILE QUIETLY ENLARGING PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNTS IN THE PROCESS ISN’T IN KEEPING WITH THE GENUINE BIBLICAL IDEA not righteous themselves, and disobeyed what the Lord told them, chaos in the land sadly resulted.

The word “tsedekah” actually comes from the root word “tsadik” meaning what is just or right or a just and righteous person (someone who practices what the Lord requires with a good heart).

Biblical justice was always meant to be restorative, since that was its function. After all, being just means being fair and equitable, i.e. doing the right thing charitably. Then finally, who can be more restorative than “Adonai Tsidkenu” used in Jer 23:6 from the same word, which means “the Lord our Righteousness!” (* A second Hebrew word “mishpat” represents the idea of retributive justice and is often translated “judgment”.)

Kathy Nichols was a missionary for many years. Now living in the west of Ireland with her husband Tim, they have three children. Kathy enjoys studying the Scriptures in the original biblical languages.

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LIFE

HEADING HOME! (YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP)

BY SHARON O'BRIEN ALLEN

It’s time to make a cup of tea, put your feet up and enjoy this light-hearted true story by Sharon O’Brien Allen that won a well-deserved third prize in our 2013 Writing Competition. hate public transport! I hate arriving at the bus stop first and being the last onto the bus. I curse the manners that have been bred in me since my earliest days that force me to join what is loosely called a queue and wait patiently for the arrival of this accursed vehicle. But the waiting is the least of my worries.

There is the fact that I must share this journey with the great unwashed, with wretched humanity. Like the drunk

I

I AM, IN FACT, A MAGNATE FOR EVERY WEIRDO IN THE METROPOLIS. who insists that he knows and loves me and who stares so avidly at me that I’m inclined to believe him until his head starts to nod and he falls asleep (on me) - only to wake with sudden starts at every bump in the road and, if I’m honest, every elbow in his ribs. In this confused state, he stares at me again with only one half-closed, bleary, accusatory eye - as if

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he’d never seen me or anything like me before.

It’s a toss-up which is my favourite, though: my inebriated friend, who at least loves me, or my drugaddled friend who calls me “man” and gets angry with me when I tell him for the eighth time that I don’t smoke...I don’t smoke anything...man! And yeah, I am “a’righ”.

Sigh! I’m not all right. I am, in fact, a magnet for every weirdo in the metropolis. They all get on my bus.

The weirdo will find me, sit too close to me, fidget, talk (or mumble), smell, and generally bother me. They get into my personal space even after I’ve twisted like a contortionist to avoid the slightest contact.

THAT DAY!

One evening, after a particularly trying day, I was joined by a travelling companion in the form of a man apparently so drunk that he couldn’t hold it in. He was sick directly behind my seat. This is the point that no amount of good manners can help – I screamed, leaped from my seat, apologised to him (why?) and before I copied him, I ran - literally ran - downstairs on an already-crowded bus hitting countless others with my

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many bags, muttering one hasty apology and leaned so close to the window that my after another. aching head was soothed by the ice cold I was blessed to find a seat, and for a few glass. minutes I was at ease until I realised that In the hope of being able to discern travelling backwards at speed doesn’t make something that would tell me where on earth sense unless you are five and/or in a funfair.

I was, I shielded my eyes from the light and As soon as another seat became available I there I stayed, glued to the window until I moved again, along with my baggage. could see a familiar landmark which told me Much to my chagrin, I realised I was just two stops from home. Home! My immediately that this was a mistake.

No sooner had I sat than I began to slide slowly forwards until my SEEING MY JOURNEY THROUGH MY HUSBAND’S chin was practically on my chest and my knees were almost under EYES, I COULD LAUGH AT HOW EXTRAORDINARY the chair in front. This could not be MY BEHAVIOUR MUST HAVE SEEMED TO OTHERS. long endured, so I returned to my backwards-facing seat.

Fortunately, another seat became free and I moved again, toting bag and baggage. Again, my unsuspecting heart suddenly understood Scarlett O’Hara fellow sufferers received hits across head and her promise never to leave Tara again. and neck, hats were knocked off and tights I was home and I could escape the weirdos torn on the sharp corners of my bags. and their woes - escape the bleak humanity By now it was dark and raining. of public transport.

Distracted by the moves, I could no longer tell where I was – I may even have missed THE WEIRDO ON THE BUS my stop. The bus windows could show me As I stood in the hallway, coat hanging nothing but a reflection of my harassed self. off my shoulder, wet bags torn, hair plastered My mood had become equally dark and to my head and close to tears, I told my with a heavy sigh, and ignoring the women husband of my misery. It wasn’t long before I who elbowed each other and nodded in my suspected that his coughs were too frequent direction (I was used to weirdoes on public to be real unless he had consumption. He transport by now), I moved to another seat

soon gave up all pretence and laughed openly. It took me some time to see what was so funny.

The saying goes that there are none so blind as those who will not see. While I judged others, I had been unable to see that this day, at least, I was the weirdo on the bus! Seeing my journey through my husband’s eyes, I could laugh at how extraordinary my behaviour must have seemed to others. But to me, every move had made sense and was perfectly rational.

The man was sick and I was so tired. I’d had a long day. I was very uncomfortable and I really couldn’t see where I was. All I wanted was to get home where I’m safe and loved and cared for and where even laughter at my utter wretchedness is kind.

But I also thought about how readily I judge people and pronounce others “weirdos” or fools. I just wanted to go home. But maybe this is why my “high” friend asks the same question over and over. Is this why the drunken man wants to talk or even stare at another soul?

Because he wants to feel ‘at home,' to feel connected to humanity?

It was a simple lesson. We are all on a journey to find home - even if it is in the face of a stranger.

Howya luv?

A'righ?

Sharon O’Brien Allen is married to Noel and they have three children. She lives in Dublin and is currently a mature student studying English, Education and Theology at the Mater Dei Institute of Education. She still hates public transport.

...just grand.

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FAITH

AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

BY JACOB REYNOLDS

f I’m honest, I’m not sure I would want to do it again the courses posed major threats. but looking back I can see the amazing things that Over the last two years, God has provided €1,020,000 to God has done.” purchase the premises outright. Now, we are debt free, the Two years ago, faced with major obstacles, premises are fully rented to other Christian organisations it seemed questionable whether the Irish Bible and we’re nearing the end of the validation process. That has Institute could survive. Now, as the Dublin college launches been an amazing journey. into a new era, Principal Jacob Reynolds is overwhelmed by As a team, we are looking forward to getting back to what has happened. Here he shares about that journey: doing what we love - teaching, equipping and training. We We are delighted that we are now in the final stages of are excited about the new courses, and we would love to do agreeing validation with York St John University in England more beyond the classroom, regionally or in local churches. with final validation set to happen on May 2.

I would love to engage in the debate about what the This means we can continue to offer fully recognised church in Ireland needs and how can we contribute to that. university-accredited One of our great degree courses. The privileges is the diversity partnership will also mean of our students. We have new opportunities. In folk from all corners of AS A TEAM, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK TO addition to the BA degree the country and from all DOING WHAT WE LOVE - TEACHING, EQUIPPING AND TRAINING. in Applied Theology, church groupings within a we will also run Applied very broad context.

Theology degrees with My desire is to see a youth focus or with a individuals who come leadership focus. We will offer an MA in Applied Theology to IBI growing in confidence of their own church tradition and a new MA in Transformational Leadership. while developing appreciation for others as they meet Currently, we have 90 students in full-time, part-time people who love Jesus but who may not agree with them on and individual modules with 30 students studying for a secondary issues.

BA and an additional 30 students on the MA programme.

We need to learn to live with the diversity. I hope that September 2013 was the last opportunity for intake under IBI can be a unifying factor by bringing folk together as we the University of Wales. With the new validation set to be in wrestle through theological concepts. place for the start of the new academic year, the process has I’m amazed to meet people who say they are praying been seamless. for us. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has By the end of 2011, things looked pretty dark for IBI. journeyed with us. God has worked in the midst of all of Issues with premises and questions about the validation of those prayers and the sacrifice that has been made.

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FAITH

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LIBERATING OURSELVES OF GOD? BLOGGER JOHN WALLACE CHALLENGES US TO RECONSIDER OUR IMAGE OF GOD. have long advocated for the reassessment of our concept of God. Many of the images we have of God are completely unbiblical.

These concepts are throw-overs from ancient pagan times or from American fundamentalism. The images are so ingrained in our psyche and popular culture that we take them for granted and revert to them by default.

It is human to project human images onto God. This makes God manageable and familiar, or rather makes the image of God manageable and familiar. But this can lead us into false thinking. It can also create false expectations of God and what it means to believe.

The other problem is because these are projections outward, they are often more descriptive of ourselves than God. Peter Rollins puts it succinctly, “If we fail to recognise that the term ‘God’ always falls short of that towards which the word is supposed to point, we will end up bowing down before our own conceptual creations forged from the raw materials of our self-image.” In other words, if we worship our projection of ourselves, we end up worshipping ourselves. This is why Meister Eckhart famously prayed “God, rid me of God." So, having rid the world of the images of God, what now? Well, let’s

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look to Jesus. Nowhere does Jesus attempt to describe God. Jesus never tells us what God is but what God does.

We hear Him tell us how God is good and generous (Luke 11:9) or how God is loving and saving ( John 3:35). But what Jesus does reveal about God is that He is Father.

RELATIONSHIP NOT RATIONALE

Describing God as Father changes everything because the designation of the title implies a relationship.

Relationships don’t exist outside of the relators. My skin crawls when I hear phrases such as “our relationship isn’t working," as if there is an objective thing called a relationship that needs to work for two people to get along. Of course, what ought to be said is, “Our relating to each other is not working."

This phraseology removes the assumed objective nature of relationships and immerses the person into the equation.

Understanding God as Father immerses us into relationship with Him. Gabriel Marcel tells us that, “a problem is something that blocks my path. It is entirely in front of me.

A mystery, on the other hand, is something in which I am involved.”

In this sense, then, when we are in a relationship with God, God is no longer a problem but a mystery within which

THIS IS WHY MEISTER ECKHART FAMOUSLY PRAYED “GOD, RID ME OF GOD”. we are immersed.

Understanding God in this way no longer reduces God to a rational argument, in the same way a child doesn’t rationalise his or her parents.

God is no longer a logical proposition but instead a very real and tangible being.

Soren Kierkegaard said that Hegel spoiled everything by reducing faith to a mere moment of thought and Christianity to a petty system of speculative philosophy. This Hegelian rationalism is alive and well today. We see it in the theories expounded by Dawkins and Hitchens. For Kierkegaard, however, faith is a relationship between two people, the connection of one existence with another. It is only in the experience of God, through a relationship with God that God is understood. It is only in the encounter with God that God becomes real.

John Wallace hails from Waterford but now lives in Cork with his wife and two boys. He describes himself as an ordinary, imperfect family man with a regular day job who is fascinated with the Gospel.

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ADVERTISMENT

JOURNEY

TO THE HOLY LAND Hosted by Ken Gibson - The Leprosy Mission Contact: ken@leprosymission.ie Office: 01 01 293 8570 www.tlmevents.ie

ited m i L pu o r G Small Sea of Galilee Boat Ride

OCTOBER & FEBRUARY DAY 1: ISRAEL, TEL AVIV Tonight, we depart on our journey to Israel, via Istanbul. Complimentary inflight service will be provided. Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport we are met by our Israeli Tour guide, who will assist us with luggage formalities. Boarding our luxury touring coach we relax and take a short drive to the Mediterranean coastal city of Netanya. Located by the shores of the “Med”, this is a perfect setting. Dinner will be at our hotel this evening. (B,D)

DAY 2: CAESAREA, MT. CARMEL, MEGIDDO After our first Israeli breakfast, we head north along the ‘Via Maris’ towards the Galilee, stopping at the following:

Caesarea - The ancient Roman seaport capital of Israel where Pontius Pilate had his base.

Mount Carmel

- Overlooking the city of Haifa with the Mediterranean Sea and Jezreel Valley on either side we stand where the Prophet Elijah performed his miracle and called upon the fire of God to conquer the Prophets of Baal.

(1 Kings 2; 15:4,25, Isaiah 33:9; Zechariah 12:12)

Megiddo - Hebrew for Armageddon, Megiddo was strategically located on the main trading routes between Babylonia and Egypt. Here King Solomon built a giant fortress and city.

(Judges 1:27; 5:19; 1 Kings 4:12; 9:15, 2 Chronicles 35:22; Zechariah 12:12, Revelation 16:16) Our dinner and overnight stay will be at the Caesar Hotel, Tiberius, home for the next three nights. Situated by the shores of the Sea of Galilee, there is no better location to enjoy the Galilee whilst at our hotel. (B,D)

DAY 3: SEA OF GALILEE After breakfast, our day revolves around the Sea of Galilee visiting:

The Mount of Beatitudes

- Sit on the hill where Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. Looking directly south at the Sea of Galilee the flower filled gardens offer peace and tranquility.

(Matthew 5:1-8)

Capernaum

- The centre of Jesus’ Galilee Ministry. Jesus lived here for a substantial period, healing the sick, preaching in the synagogue and performing miracles. The Greek Orthodox Church, Fransiscan Monastery and Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter make for an interesting kaleidoscope of varying architecture.

(Matthew 9:1; 4:13)

Kursi

- The site of Gergesa (Kursi) was identified as the site of the ‘Miracle of The Swine’.

(Luke 8:26-33; Mark 5:1-20; Matthew 8:28-34)

Bethsaida - Also known as ‘The House of The Fisherman’, this is the home of Peter, Philip and Andrew and also the place where Jesus fed the five thousand and healed the blind man. Here, we will see recent excavations of this old city.

(Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13; John 1:35-42)

Tabgha

- Located at the foot of the Mt. of Beatitudes this is the site of the Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes. Here we will enjoy private worship and intercession by the shores of the Galilee.

(Mark 6:34-44; Matthew 14:14-21; 16:18-19; John 21:15-19)

Ginossar - Here we will visit the Jesus Boat Museum exhibit. Discovered by accident during the drought of 1986 this fishing boat would have existed at the time of Jesus. Beautifully preserved it is a timeless reminder of life during that time.

- Today ends with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Dinner will be at our hotel this evening. (B,D)

DAY 4: CAESAREA PHILIPPI, GOLAN HEIGHTS, UPPER GALILEE After breakfast we drive north, through the Hula Valley and spend our day in the upper Galilee, visiting:

Korazin - Location of Galilee’s most intact ancient synagogues, Chorazin was a very important Jewish town. Jesus rebuked the people of Chorazin for their lack of faith and for spurning His ‘miracles’.

(Matthew 11:2; Luke 10:13)

Hazor

- Once the largest cities in all of Canaan. The multi layered Tel of Hazor is a fascinating site that offers intrigue and insight into five thousand years of civilization. It was here that Deborah and Barak fought against Sisera. Captured by Joshua and raised to the ground this city was eventually rebuilt by Solomon in the 10th century BC.

(Joshua 11:10-14; Judges 4:2; 1 Kings 9:15)

Tel Dan - This national park and archeological site offer a blend of Israel’s natural beauty and Biblical history!

Caesarea Philippi

- Built at one of the sources of the Jordan River, the city of Panias (named by the Greeks after the goat-footed god, Pan) was later renamed by the Romans as Caesarea Philippi. It was here that Jesus revealed to the Disciples His purpose, His Church, and where Peter identified Jesus as the Messiah.

(Mark 8:27; Matthew 16:13-23) Dinner will be back at our hotel in Tiberius.

(B,D)

DAY 5: NAZARETH, BET SHE’AN, JERUSALEM Today we leave the Galilee and travel southwards through the Jordan Valley to

The Leprosy Mission Ireland Journeys to the Holy Land October and February

ister Now g e R s Place Jerusalem. This was the route followed by Jesus and His disciples as they traversed the dusty roads towards Jerusalem for the last time. Our first stop today is:

Nazareth - Here is where Jesus spent His childhood with Mary and Joseph. Nazareth is also the site of The Annunciation and where the Nazarenes attempted to throw Jesus over the cliff.

Now a suburb of Nazareth, Cana, is the site where Jesus performed His first miracle when he changed water into wine at a wedding.

(Luke 1:26-38; John 1:46; Matthew 2:23)

Bet She’an - The largest of Israel’s archeological digs. Even after its initial discovery many years ago, archeologists are, today, still discovering more ruins from the Roman era when Bet She’an was one of the 10 cities in The Decapolis.

This ancient city, although destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th Century, offers a fabulous insight into Roman life and times.

After losing the battle to the Philistines, King Saul and his sons were hung from the city walls.

(Judges 4:7-8) After Bet She’an we head further south and pass Gilgal, where Saul was proclaimed king. Gilgal became a sacred place because the tribes of Israel first encamped and celebrated Passover there after their miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and before their conquest of the Promised Land.

This afternoon we shall arrive at Jerusalem where we check-in to our hotel, home for the next 4 nights. (B,D)

DAY 6: JERUSALEM After breakfast we will spend our first full day in Jerusalem visiting:

Mount of Olives - We begin our day by viewing Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives. Photo opportunities abound at this time with the Golden Dome of the Rock prominent. From here we shall walk down to The Garden of Gethsemane along the same path as that Jesus took when entering the city on Palm Sunday.

Garden of Gethsemane - The site where Jesus prayed at the Rock of Agony in the Garden. “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

cable car and learn about the last Jewish stand against the Romans and the mass suicide of the 960 Jewish defenders.

(Matthew 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-50; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-14)

hosts the caves of David’s Gorge where David hid from Saul and his army.

House of Caiaphas - Located under the current St. Peter of Gallicantu Church is the traditional site where Jesus was imprisoned.

Mount Zion - Assumed by the Byzantine pilgrims as the original City of David this piece of land would have existed outside the original city walls.

(2 Kings 2:10; Matthew 26:17-35; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-38; John 13-17)

Upper Room - The traditional site where Jesus instituted a new Passover celebration and the new Covenant in His blood.

(Mark 14:15)

Davidson Centre

Ein Gedi - This national park and oasis (1 Samuel 24; Song of Solomon 1:14; Ezekiel 47:10)

Qumran - Home to the ancient Essenes.

It is here that they wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls almost two thousand years ago.

Here we will visit the excavated sites of Qumran and view the location where The Scrolls were found in 1947.

Dead Sea

- No visit to the Dead Sea would be complete without experiencing the unique buoyancy of these waters.

Cover yourself in therapeutic black mud and float your aches and pains away!

After a wonderful day, we make our way back “up” to Jerusalem. It is now Shabbat!

Dinner is at our hotel this evening. (B,D)

- This new facility uses state-of-the-art technology to bring the Temple Mount to life. This will give us a better understanding of the magnitude of Herod’s construction versus what we see today.

Dinner will be back at our hotel this evening.

DAY 8: BETHLEHEM, JERUSALEM

(B,D)

through the Old City of Jerusalem from the point of condemnation by Pontius Pilate to Golgotha, Calvary Hill.

After dinner we will have an evening visit to the Western Wall.

Western Wall Tunnels

- Also called The Wailing Wall. The holiest place of pilgrimage for the Jews! Here we can observe the Orthodox Jews as they pray, relentlessly, along with many Christians.

Some of us may wish to leave a hand written note placed in the crevices of the Western Wall.

(1 Kings 6:14; Matthew 12:6; Luke 2:46; John 2:19)

DAY 7: MASADA, EIN GEDI, JERUSALEM After breakfast we drive into the Judean wilderness and follow the shores of The Dead Sea to visit:

Masada - This UNESCO World Heritage site was once Herod’s mountain top palace and fortress. Here we ascend to the site by

Our day is split between a visit to Bethlehem and Jerusalem, including visits to:

Via Dolorosa - The one mile long route

Holy Sepulcher Church - Stations X-X1V on The Via Dolorosa.

Garden Tomb - Preserved by The Garden Tomb Association these beautiful gardens surround the traditional site of The Garden Tomb. Many believe that this was the actual garden of Joseph of Arimathea.

(John 19:41) This evening we will enjoy our last dinner together in Jerusalem. A wonderful time to share and reflect on what this journey has meant to you! (B,D)

DAY 9: JOURNEY HOME This morning we depart for the airport after breakfast. (B) B = Breakfast. L = Lunch. D = Dinner.

ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE Contact: ken@leprosymission.ie

LIFE

THE TIME-WORN PATH

WALKING THE CAMINO WAY WITH 20 TEENAGERS! aking up in a tent on a misty Spanish mountainside, with 25 kilometres of trail to traverse before dinner, is probably not the common backdrop for a student summer holiday. Often, university students have been led to believe their best summer holiday option is to go to some Mediterranean island to numb the brain with binge drinking.

More than one soon-to-be pilgrim was wondering what they had gotten themselves into, that first morning. And much like the foggy mist shrouding the path, the spiritual journey ahead and the friendships soon to be forged, lay as yet undiscovered.

wells of reflection. The dynamic scenery and historic villages transport you back in time, invoking the imagination.

Here, we come away from the pressures of achievement, hinting that our value depends on the degree to which we can produce results. Everyone in the group, regardless of performance, belongs.

We help set the tone by arranging our pilgrims in walking groups of four or five each morning so that everyone has the chance to walk with each other throughout the week. After a few hours walking shoulder to shoulder, it becomes a natural part of the journey to talk about anything and everything, and to bring up those questions they've been afraid EMBARKING ON AN AGE-OLD to ask but still linger close to the PILGRIMAGE heart.

The Camino de Santiago is a The physical action of walking network of paths that cut through often parallels the journey of the Europe and lead to Santiago de spirit. The Camino project we Compostela in Northwest Spain. do is not necessarily for religious Made popular through films like people only, but we want pilgrims The Way, travel promotions and to participate in the full Camino UNESCO's world heritage list, experience by engaging in issues people across Ireland and the of faith. In the evenings we have world are tuning in to this age-old a discussion time, which is the pilgrimage. And over the past only real organised activity, other 16 years, my husband and I have than eating meals together. We helped organise around 12 Agape focus on the basics of Christianity trips to the Camino for university and talk about who Jesus is, what a THE PHYSICAL ACTION OF WALKING OFTEN students. relationship with Him looks like and PARALLELS THE JOURNEY OF THE SPIRIT. Last summer, we found how this gives us strength and hope ourselves organising another in our every day, even beyond the Camino project but with a slight Camino experience. For some, the difference: this time, primarily for students who had just week was a defining marker that has changed the course of their finished the Leaving Certificate. The trip was instigated by lives.

Daniel, a sixth-year student at Colรกiste Eoin in Dublin, who And it is well worth the effort. One student summed up was intrigued by the idea of doing the Camino after hearing what many others had said. "I loved the evening meetings about it from his older brother, who had gone with us in 2010. and discussions and just getting to know people." Each heart So we ended up with 20 teenagers who, for the most part, did undergoes a transformation and the whole experience leaves a not know each other. lasting impression. I feel so privileged to watch this happen time Straightaway the absence of busyness along the Camino and again. God willing, we'll take another group to the Camino path starts to clear the mind, the natural beauty demands your in June of this year! attention and the rhythm of walking draws deep from unused For information on the Camino, check out www.agape.ie/camino.

W

Kate Mulholland was born in the United States and has worked with Agape in Spain and Ireland since 1999. She recently became an Irish citizen and has a great love for history, humour, film, books, fantastic conversation and good food.

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VOX APRIL - JUNE 2014

LIFE

VOX MAGAZINE

PIONEER, PREACHER AND LOVER OF PEOPLE GARY DAVIDSON PAYS TRIBUTE TO ROBERT FREDRICK DUNLOP 19 JUNE 1938 - 15 FEBRUARY 2014

n 15th February, attended by his wife Olive, his daughter Julie and a son, Jeremy, desperately trying to make his way home from London, Pastor Robert Dunlop joined the ranks of those that have gone before us. It seemed to me that when the King of Kings sent His messengers with an invitation, Robert replied, "This is what I have lived for!"

Pastor Robert Dunlop was the first evangelical minister to make us welcome when we arrived in this nation some 34 years ago. In those days, we Pentecostals were not the "flavour of the month." Despite this, Robert personally made contact with an invitation to come to Brannockstown Baptist Church to minister.

When we began our training centre, we would often invite Robert to come and share about the history of evangelicalism in the Republic of Ireland. His wisdom, hearty laugh and easygoing demeanor quickly won him many friends among our young students.

When Robert would come into Dublin for the day, he would often call to ask permission to park his car and the small trailer that he often pulled (never did know what that was for) in St Mark's parking lot. That would invariably lead to a cup of tea and an always-enriching conversation, usually around the idea of a "coming together" of evangelicals around the nation.

Our first attempt at bringing together a group was a "dismal failure" that left me gutted! Yet Robert, true to form, simply said to me, "our time will come, our time will come." Later, when the Evangelical Alliance was formed, we all knew that Robert "had our back in this worthy endeavour."

A couple of years ago, I was ministering in Open Arms Church in Newbridge, and as I prepared to speak, I spotted my good friend Robert in the congregation. He knew I was speaking and came to hear me. I immediately walked back to him and introduced him to the many young people in attendance that day. I expressed publically my deep appreciation for this pioneer, preacher and lover of people.

O

The week before Robert made his final journey, Olive graciously allowed me to spend time with him alone. By this time he was bedfast and blind, but he almost immediately recognized my voice (you think it was my accent?). We spoke at some length, than I asked if we could read the scriptures and pray. When I told him I would read Psalm 121, he immediately began to quote the Psalm - a man of the Word till the end!

R. L. Sharpe says this, “Each is given a bag of tools, A shapeless mass, A book of rules; And each must make- Ere life has flown- A stumbling block- Or a stepping stone.”

My dear and good friend Robert Dunlop used his "bag of tools" to build a stepping stone. Enjoy heaven, Robert; you will be missed down here!

APRIL - JUNE 2014 VOX

37

Celebrating 19 years of family, friends and fellowship

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39

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REVIEWS

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SEEKING TO UNITE MUSLIM, JEW AND CHRISTIAN THROUGH MUSIC

JOURNALIST CLIVE PRICE DISCOVERS CONTROVERSIAL ROCK BAND “ORPHANED LAND” ontroversial isn’t the word! Progressive rock band sound, which draws upon heavy rock, classical, opera and Middle Orphaned Land use intensely dramatic sounds to Eastern traditions. It’s heavy stuff, so not for those who prefer quiet express their hopes for healing in the Middle East. And ballads about the countryside! they appear to be seeing better results than the politicians.

The album is a pilgrimage of lament, drawing upon various Heralding from Israel, they press for peace between Muslim, religious texts including the Book of Ecclesiastes and ancient Jewish Christian and Jew. So great has been their impact, fans started an liturgy which says, “Our father who art in heaven, redeem us, impart online petition in 2012 to nominate Orphaned Land for the coveted upon us for we hath no deeds”.

Nobel Prize. The petition website claims more than 3,400 signatures.

Perhaps the most moving song is the track “Brother”, which The band has already received four Peace Awards in Turkey. tells the story of Abraham’s sons Isaac and Ishmael – from the "I could never imagine in my wildest imagination that one day perspective of a modern day Israeli. Assuring his Arab brothers that an Israeli band would be followed by thousands of Muslims from God will hear them “for the years you roamed in dirt and mud”, all over the world," frontman Kobi the singer then asks for their Farhi said on the band’s website. forgiveness. It’s a staggering piece "If we do a show in Istanbul, of work, intense in emotion and Turkey - which is the only Muslim rich in humility.

THE ALBUM IS A PILGRIMAGE OF LAMENT, DRAWING country where we're allowed to While attending a missions UPON VARIOUS RELIGIOUS TEXTS INCLUDING THE BOOK play - people come all the way from conference some years ago, I met Iran, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan an American Christian couple in OF ECCLESIASTES AND ANCIENT JEWISH LITURGY just to see us.” full Israeli national dress. They had He believes Jews and Arabs are an obsession to see an apocalyptic brothers because as he understands confrontation between the Muslim it, “we are all descendants of Abraham”. Orphaned Land try their and Christian worlds, and were visibly disappointed when it didn’t hardest to underline this forgotten story, and Kobi will “preach” come about during the USA’s first stand-off with Saddam Hussein. about this between songs. What comes across is a tiredness with war I prefer Orphaned Land’s ancient yearning for unity in and an openness for peace and brotherhood. the Middle East. Let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and as “Discovering the fact that our music is the instrument to remind Orphaned Land put it, create “a new folklore” where the clenched people that we are all one is shocking to me,” said Kobi. “I never fist becomes an open hand. imagined that blood enemies would open their eyes because of it.

That's why the title of the album is ‘All Is One’."

Clive Price is a journalist serving publications The record was made in three different countries – Israel, Turkey across Ireland and Britain. He also works as a and Sweden. They are countries that are predominantly Jewish, media consultant.

Muslim and Christian respectively, which strengthens the band’s message. More than 40 musicians were used to create a huge wall of

C

Photo by: Ami Bornstein

APRIL - JUNE 2014 VOX

41

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REVIEWS

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REND COLLECTIVE - THE ART OF CELEBRATION REVIEWED BY AMY O’BYRNE

Having being really impressed by previous releases from Rend Collective, there was much anticipation when hitting the play button on this latest album from the Bangor-based six piece.

There are obvious comparisons to Mumford and Sons and, whilst I’m not personally a huge fan of the latter, I was pleasantly surprised by the slight shift in this latest release from Rend Collective. Sure, there is still the experimental folk feel to the album and the first couple of tracks leave me skipping to the next one and the next one. They do all sound very alike and, whilst this is to do with style, it’s when the album reaches ‘All that I am’ that I am captured. What an awesome song!

‘Immeasurably More’ seems to stick out from the others. It sounds as if it comes from a traditional worship album rather than a folk album. This isn’t a criticism just an observation on the feel of the song – great lyrics but not too struck on the sound.

That said, it is a congregational song and, along with ‘Strength of my Heart’ is one that will translate well into a church setting.

This is a mixed album of sorts. The first half has the rousing folk thread running throughout and the latter half is seemingly more targeted toward the traditional worship audience.

VOX Rating: «««

EDGE OF THE WORLD - IONA REVIEWED BY CLIVE PRICE

Popular Celtic rock band Iona has released a new live twoCD set. And it shows just how good a concert they can still deliver. After their most recent studio album ‘Another Realm’, this recording sees the band returning to their roots and reaffirming their original vision of telling old tales of the Celtic Church.

The band has compiled 20 tracks – from their first self-titled album to their latest material – played at five shows in the Netherlands and UK between 2011-12. Band guitarist and composer, Dave Bainbridge told VOX the album was edited and mixed over several months in 2013.

“The running order is pretty much how we were playing the tracks at the gigs, with one or two exceptions,” said Dave. “We wanted it to be a record of how the concerts sounded at the time.”

Dipping into their well of songs about heroes of Irish and Scottish Christianity, the album opens with one of Iona’s best tracks ‘Irish Day’ – about St Columba – and ends with an early instrumental ‘Columcille’.

Thus the whole set is framed by the story of a titan of Celtic Christianity, as well as containing references to figures such as Brendan and Patrick. It also includes the Irish language track ‘Bi-Se/ Mo Shuil’ and another old favourite, ‘Flight Of The Wild Goose’.

Lead singer Joanne Hogg from Ballymena is still in fine voice. As musicians they play as strongly as ever. Dublin pipe player Martin Nolan offers extra drama to the set, enabling the band to indulge in some jigs and reels.

Although other bands explored Irish spirituality before them – notably Clannad and The Waterboys – Iona was perhaps the first act on the evangelical church scene to follow this path. Indeed, they made it their mission. These CDs remind us of that pilgrimage.

“We like to play tracks from the back catalogue because people like to hear them and we like to play them,” said Dave. “People are often touched deeply by the live experience, and we have many amazing letters and emails, which are both beautiful and humbling to read, of how important the music has been in people's lives.”

Let’s hope Iona keep exploring the depths of Irish Christianity.

It’s still needed.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 VOX

43

EVENTS

VOX MAGAZINE

Events Calendar What’s happening where and when

APRIL The Christian Dance Fellowship Conference 11 - 13 April Newry Co. Down www.cdfi.weebly.com Church in Chains Spring Prayer Day Saturday, 12 April, 2pm Crinken Church Hall, Shankill, Co. Dublin www.churchinchains.ie

MAY OM Ireland Open Day Saturday, 3 May, 11am Lacken House, Rahara, Co. Roscommon www.ie.om.org

The Father’s Heart Conference 27 – 29 June New Hope Church, Kilkenny www.newhope.ie JULY Sligo Summer Conference 6 – 11 July Sligo www.newwineireland.org

Plumbline Ministries Spring Conference 9 – 11 May Redcross, Co. Wicklow More info: 087 0605855 JUNE Summer Fire Conference 20 – 27 June Trabolgan, Co. Cork www.summerfireconference.com

Got an event you want others to know about?

Let us know - and we'll let everyone know.

Email info@vox.ie

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REVIEWS

VOX MAGAZINE

COMMUNITY: THE STRUCTURE OF BELONGING

BY PETER BLOCK REVIEWED BY ELLIS BARNSLEY

In "Community" Peter Block sets himself the task of explaining how groups and individuals can move from self-interest and isolationism to caring about a larger whole.

Skillfully articulating the language of citizenship to bypass political and religious leanings, Peter's suggestion is to shift from a “them and us” mentality to a commonality of “us” through a new style of leadership of convening and facilitating; one that knows how to truly listen and teach others to listen also.

Block provides examples from urban youth settings to the business world to demonstrate how fragmented groups can become true communities through the valuing of all its members and their gifts; taking them (particularly those on the margins) and bringing them to “the centre”.

Block's focusing of “gifts” over the “person” is a notion I struggled with on my first reading but further reflection has helped me understand his emphasis on “all having something they can bring to the community” as opposed to the language of hierarchical “gifting” I am more familiar with in a congregational setting.

You don't have to be a leader to get something from this book. Peter Block's words will transform the way you interact with your neighbours, your churches and your family.

MEDITATIONS – INTIMATE MOMENTS WITH GOD

BY ROY ROHU REVIEWED BY LIAMY MC NALLY.

Some people in our troubled world not only maintain but deepen and develop their relationship with God. Roy Rohu is one of those people and his new book is a joy.

“Meditations” is a series of almost 160 meditations on Scripture.

Mayo man Roy, gives us the wisdom of his years and tears. It is the lived life that breathes the best meditations. Roy’s hope and prayer is that they will be used to encourage and inspire many on their spiritual journey.

The book opens with his “Halting Words” from Romans 8:26. “The Spirit mends my cries, rephrases them, presents them, rightly ordered, to You!” In ‘Not Guilty’, Roy uses the lovely image, “Father, I joy that now, in Jesus,You choose to disremember.” “Decisions” echoes our shared experience – “Oh, dear, decision time!

The Spirit’s knocking, wants obedience. Now, let me see, what’s the best excuse? ‘What, now, Lord? Can’t it wait? I’ve things to do!’ Did you say ‘Lord’ my traitor-heart? Have you forgotten Calvary?”

Roy’s meditations exude joy and trust. They also contain pain held together in tension with faith’s firm foundation. They chart the life of a believer who has said ‘Yes’ to God. And all this is done in a joyful manner, scripted with beautiful words and thoughts – ‘O, tune my heart to hymn you fitly…’ Here, also there are echoes of the great metaphysical poets, Donne and Herbert, in ‘The Real Me’, and ‘Heartcry’.

Thank you, Roy for this book of blessings. It is a treasure!

TAKING A QUICK LOOK

“Failing from the front (and other lessons from the lives of losers)” With searing honesty Scott Evans explores leadership in the stories of Biblical “losers” like Moses and David intertwined with his own journey. A “celebration of God’s tendency to use losers, misfits and fools to change the world,” this is a refreshing look at our biblical heroes without the rose-coloured spectacles that is a thrilling reminder that God can even use me! Well worth a read!

CORRECTION:

In the “Top Reads of 2013” feature in our previous edition, we wrongly listed a review of Emotionally Healthy Church as written by Rev Craig Mc Cauley. It was, in fact, written by Rev Craig Cooney of St Catherine’s Church, Dublin and we would like to offer our sincere apology for this mistake!

APRIL - JUNE 2014 VOX

45

VOX PS

SPIN UNSPUN

BY SEÁN MULLAN

i I’m Alan and I’m an Be it politics, business or charity fundalcoholic…” His words silenced raising the spinning process must the room. Alan had the right produce success - problems solved, profits building but the wrong evening. multiplied, difficulties defeated. That Instead of starting his journey to recovery is the art of spin doctoring, using the with a group of fellow alcoholics, Alan was good to make the bad invisible. We use opening up to a large group of invited guests it in everything from writing our CV to who had turned up for a reception. And not answering the simple question “How are one of us had the wit to respond in timeyou?“ honoured AA tradition, “Hi Alan.”

Even in church the bad tends to be That evening crowd hadn’t turned up hidden. Confession boxes have room to hear a story of failure. We had come to for one person only. And the word is, hear of success and triumphs in the face of nowadays they are seldom busy places. difficulty. Failure usually draws a smaller When stories of adversity are told publicly crowd. Success will fill conferences, sell books, win elections, and make good films. While we might moan “I’M SEAN AND I’M NOT THE PERSON I WAS MEANT TO BE.” about “Hollywood endings” most people don’t want to walk out of a cinema with the realisation that the slave never did get free, in a church setting it is generally required that the couple did not end up together or that there be a happy ending to round it that the long struggle ended in failure. The off. It’s the happy ending that gets you in box office can’t afford too many of those front of the microphone. And who wants stories. to unveil the reality of current struggles to The “spin” industry understands this. So a crowd longing for a fairytale ending? the climax of the story is always spun Don’t get me wrong. I’m not as success. suggesting that our society needs to glory in failure. Real success and true happy endings have an enormous inspirational value. In the last few years we could have done with a few more of those stories and a few less of the scandal and corruption type.

H

What I want to challenge is the assumption that stories must be spun to end in triumph, that “they all lived happily ever after” is the only ending that counts.

At an AA meeting the confession “I am an alcoholic” is often followed by “I haven’t had a drink in … days.” There is a strange power in an honest confession of current reality. “I am an alcoholic.” “I haven’t had a drink in..” It’s a simple mix of truth and hope.

That power is the reason millions all over the globe attend AA meetings every week. Following Alan’s out of place confession at our event, I checked up on the possibility of attending a local AA meeting. I discovered that most meetings are for alcoholics only.

A willingness to admit to failure is a requirement for entry. By turning up you’re admitting that you’re an alcoholic.

When Alan says “Hi, I’m Alan and I’m an alcoholic” the group responds with “Hi Alan” which is their admission that they are the same as him.

Imagine introducing that ritual to a political interview, a business board meeting, a job interview or even a church service. “I’m Sean and I’m not the person I was meant to be.” Unlikely I know but at least in church the audience should be able to respond with an honest “Hi Sean” and share in that same confession.

Seán Mullan has been working in church leadership for many years. He has developed a new project in Dublin City Centre called “Third Space”.

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VOX APRIL - JUNE 2014

FLORA WOMEN’S MINI MARATHON Bank Holiday Monday 2 June 2014, 2pm

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