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Welcome to Edition 8 of the Iona Community e-bulletin. (Because of internet problems beyond my control this edition is being sent out a few days later than planned but I hope you still enjoy it.) 

This issue of the e-bulletin focuses, generally, on poverty – fitting at a time when the major political parties here in the UK are promising to fight poverty if they get elected, while at the same time promising to get tough on people on Incapacity benefits, being caught in an expenses scandal, and informing us that, by the way, we will all have to work for at least a year longer in our lives, to help pay off Britain's debt, which has been made unsustainable by all of us having to bail out bankrupt banks and bank CEOS … 

October 17th is the UN's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed every year since 1993, when the General Assembly designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries – a need that has become a development priority.

Joseph Wresinski, the Founder of ATD Fourth World, was the inspiration behind October 17th. In 1956, he was assigned chaplain to families in an emergency housing camp in Noisy-le-Grand, near Paris. In 1957, he and the families of the camp founded the first association which was later to become ATD Fourth World. 
 
Joseph Wresinski wanted to unite all sections of society with the poorest and most excluded.
 
On 17th October, 1987, in the presence of 100,000 people from every social background and continent, Joseph Wresinski unveiled a commemorative stone in the Trocadero Human Rights Plaza in Paris. On this marble his call is engraved: 'Wherever men and women are condemned to live in poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty.' 

In this edition: 

PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES, by Paul Chapman

Scotland's first Poverty Truth Commission took place on 21 March, 2009 at Glasgow City Chambers. A major aim of the Commission, which was inspired by South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, was to give people struggling against poverty an opportunity to have their voices heard.

The Commission began with a number of testimonies. Listening to these stories was an audience of 400 people, including leaders from politics, the media, academia and several faith traditions. Paul Chapman, the Coordinator of the Poverty Truth Commission, reported on the day’s events in a blog …

NOT MERELY ABOUT FINE WORDS, by Peter Millar

Member Peter Millar writes: 'Some years back when I was living in Gugulethu, a township near Capetown in South Africa, I was struck all the time by the ways in which local folk faced up to their multiple sufferings. The words of John about giving your shirt and sharing your food jumped right off the pages of the Bible and into the streets of Gugulethu, despite its sufferings, violence and poverty. There human love had many faces …' 

CREATIVELY SURVIVING, by Neil Paynter

A story about creatively surviving in a towerblock in Edinburgh 

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NOTHING BLURRED THERE EITHER, a reflection by Erik Cramb
Do we really believe that the God who called the rulers of Israel to task; who brought the rich women of Jerusalem to heel; who witnessed the worth and dignity of the poor widow, wants us to be silent on these issues and thus free to promote private religiosity? … 

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CHRISTIAN AID'S 'POVERTY OVER' CAMPAIGN

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THE UPCOMING BLOCKADE AT ALDERMASTON, FEBRUARY 15, 2010

News from Trident Ploughshares about an upcoming non-violent blockade at Aldermaston, factory of death, early in the new year. Sounds like a good way to start a new year: having the courage to say NO to more billions and billions and billions of pounds wasted on bombs. Having the courage to choose life: 'Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.' (Deuteronomy 30:19)

 
THE ECUMENICAL COUNCIL FOR CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY: The Future of Banking: Ethical & Sustainable? ECCR Open Debate 2009

 WITNESSING REALITY: THE REFLECTIONS OF AN ECUMENICAL ACCOMPANIER IN JERUSALEMCome hear Member Warren Bardsley speak about his experience of walking alongside Palestinians as an Ecumenical Accompanier. 

THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF LESSLIE NEWBIGIN, News of some celebratory events, from Member Murdoch MacKenzie Lesslie Newbigin was a great 20th-century ecumenical figure and a friend of George MacLeod. 

ATTENTION GOLFERS AND FRIENDS OF GOLFERS: ENJOY THE OPEN AT ST ANDREWS AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROWING HOPE APPEALMembers Brian and Liz Crosby are looking for folk to rent their flat during the Open, in exchange for a donation to the Iona Community's Growing Hope Appeal. 

REVISED STANDARD VISIONS: IMAGINING ANOTHER WORLD, THE WILD GOOSE RESOURCE GROUPAnnouncing an exciting new series of Holy City events! THE LENT 2010 YORK COURSE

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A prayer by Ian M Fraser

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 JESUS SAIDA set of provocative opening responses by Ron Ferguson, from the liturgy 'Cursing the Money Boys: An Act of Witness for Economic Justice'

More  THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY: TRIBUTES TO SOME MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO DIED RECENTLY MoreREMEMBER ME, by Kathy Galloway

Written for the laying of a stone in George Square, Glasgow, to commemorate all those who have been victims of poverty. 

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LIGHT OF THE WORLD: DAILY READINGS FOR ADVENT, a new book by Peter Millar and Neil Paynter Daily Readings for Advent from Iona Community members, associates and friends: Peter Millar, Ian M Fraser, Kathy Galloway, John Harvey, David Rhodes, Jan Sutch Pickard and others.Advent is a special time in the Christian year. In our troubled world, which is also a world of extraordinary possibility and creativity, we need such times more than ever. Times to renew our soul so that our lives may express a deeper compassion and a more joy-filled awareness.

Traditionally in the days of Advent there has been an emphasis on the coming of Light – that Light which illumines all our journeys and brings healing to the nations. May these readings enlarge your hope, and bring you to Christmas morning with Christ’s light steadily illumining your path. OTHER ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS TITLES FROM WILD GOOSEPLUS MORE NEW TITLES FROM WILD GOOSE PUBLICATIONS 

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AN OFFENCE TO GOD, by John Harvey
'Poverty is an offence to God precisely because it breaks and crushes human beings made in his image …'

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Find out about Holy City events, about Peter Macdonald's work, about youth events, and about other Community events and gatherings …

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Books by Joseph Wresinski, Leonardo Boff and others …Websites of some friends of our purposeThe World Turned Upside Down: Music from 21st-century prophet Billy Bragg

 <MoreFEEDBACK FROM READERS ON THIS ISSUE: THE RELEASE OF ABDEL BASET AL-MEGRAHI

  
Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, was released on compassionate grounds by Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill in August. Kenny MacAskill talked about the necessity of justice, but also about the necessity of showing 'mercy and forgiveness'.How do you feel about the release of Abdel al-Megrahi? Are you encouraged that spiritual values are at work in the world; or is this too, at bottom, about oil – or about arms sales; or is it hard to know what to think, in this world where so much is kept hidden from us by the Powers? …

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