Reflections on Community Tensions

Dear Friends, 
It was with great sadness and distress that we witnessed the recent violence and unrest in our towns and cities across the U.K.  We are aware that some of you will be in communities where the tension, riots and the violence took place.  It seems that hopefully the worst of the unrest has passed, but we should not be complacent about what has been revealed in this time about many people in communities across the UK: that there are lots of folk who feel excluded and marginalised and do not feel like they have adequate ways or means of communicating that.  There are many who have been made to feel fearful and unwelcome in their communities.
It was great to see that there are also many people willing to stand up to racism and violence, to come alongside people, and to peacefully get in the way. We have much to lament, and much to celebrate too. A photo appeared in the media on Monday 5th August of a group from a mosque offering food to those who were shouting abuse. A BBC reporter in Sunderland noted that the day after the riot local people in the community came together to help clear up, and a group of young women took gifts into the police station to thank officers for their involvement. 
We recognise there are no quick fixes to heal the deep division that has been exposed in our communities.  In the very heart of our values Urban Expression has a commitment to Peace, “a vision of justice, peace and human flourishing for the city and all its inhabitants.”  Let us pray for one another as we seek the shalom of each community that we have chosen to call home.  Let us challenge injustice, prejudice and violence with humility, love and grace.  May we have the wisdom to root out evil but recognise it’s not about winning an argument with our neighbour. That “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

In peace, Alex & Barney
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Blessed are you peacemakers, for you will be called the children of God.
After the wrecking,
the window smashing,
the overturned cars
and the flame licked lives
came hope's weary messengers
blowing dustpan kisses,
making it better,
each sweep of the brush
a teary love letter.
Wearing humanity
light as a feather
from the back
of a peace dove,
repainting the town
the colour of love.  – Harry Gallagher