May 2010

May is a month for celebration. Firstly we have our Parliamentary Elections, and whether your preferred Party or Candidate gets elected, it is above all an occasion to celebrate. Maybe like me your heart fails when the media is filled with staged photoshoots in city streets or with televised confrontations of the party leaders, but how fortunate we are to be part of a democratic nation. A look at life in undemocratic nations is a healthy reminder of the alternatives!

Our Parliament may not be perfect, but we can still have an influence through the vote and through letting our MPs know our feelings on important issues both before or after they are elected. If we want a nicer world, a world where there are better values and more care for the vulnerable, we need to be part of the political process. A letter or an email might be just the tipping point on a critical question. But do something, don't just sit at home and grumble. It is very easy to do nothing when you can make a difference.. The Chairman of British Rail once said that one letter of complaint or congratulations he received was valued as the equivalent of the opinion of about 1000 passengers to take account of all those that never got round to contacting him.

Then this month we celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost or Whitsun has been divorced from the Bank Holiday, but the Spirit is very much at work in the world, if only we have eyes to see. I believe the Spirit works in the spaces between people, and is especially present where two or more come together for the benefit of others. On Sunday May 23rd, churches all over Britain will be celebrating this special day. Why not come and join us?

God bless