St Mary Abbots Sermon slots at 9.

30am and 1115 Sunday 14th August Fr Rob Marshall and two readers A Theological Reflection on a challenging week

RM: Its not very often that public utterances by church leaders form the substance of a sermon slot, but this has been no ordinary week for this great City or nation of ours. Those of you visiting this morning from overseas, are probably as bewildered as those of us who live here and love this city, as to what has transpired within the course of just a week. Only last Sunday, the Bishop of Derby stood in this pulpit and suggested somewhat prophetically that as many of the foundations of our society crumbl around us, we, as a Church, have to ask the question what difference does Jesus make to all of this? Seven days on, that question is as pertinent as ever, And so this morning, with the help of A and B, I am inviting you to listen to some of the views and opinions expressed by others including the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London, [Richard, Our Bishop] as we reflect on this most unlikely of weeks in our capital city and as we follow the example and encouragement of our Bishop in praying for local communities across the country. There are huge questions this weekend about responsibility, citizenship and education. Amidst all the hurt and anger there have been resurrection stories of amazing courage and fortitude from people of many different faiths and none. This has been a week of cruel and terrible death on the streets of out country for reasons which many of us are still trying to work out: a week when parents have turned in their children to police ; whilst others are quite simply trying to rebuild their lives. It has been a week of extreme violence, personal assault and a total disregard by some. for a basic sense of what it means to be a neighbour. There have been questions of what it means to say an eye for an eye, am I my brothers keeper?, love thy neighbour. Where does the responsibility lie? How can we create a better sense of citizenship and what it means? And what is really wrong with our education system? The Archbishop of Westminster said that the criminal violence and theft had demonstrated a callous disregard for the common good of our society. The Bishop of Manchester contrasted the young people putting their lives on the line for our freedom in Afghanistan with those here where kids have put self interest above all else. The Bishop of Southwark, across the River, spoke of the need for healing and hope. This was the Bishop of Londons response on Thursday:

[1] I have just returned from visiting Enfield and Tottenham to see something
of the wreckage left behind by the riots and to meet policemen and women who are in the front line of protecting our communities. It is obviously vital not to stigmatise a whole generation. There are huge numbers of hopeful and high achieving young people in London but we do have a problem with a minority. Behind the opportunists who joined in the disturbances there is the reality of a criminal gang culture. One of the difficulties for the police has been dealing with street violence, while under the cover of the disturbances and the arson, which could so easily have cost lives, highly mobile groups of looters have been on the rampage. What has occurred should be condemned unequivocally and as the first of those arrested appear before magistrates and as stolen property is already being recovered, it is right to pay tribute to the bravery of the police who have regained control of our streets.
RM: In the House of Lords on Thursday, The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, said that there was no way of avoiding the fact that what had happened meant owning up to the reality of the situation:

[2] "In the events we have seen in recent days, there is nothing to romanticise
and there is nothing to condone in the behaviour that has spread across our streets. This is indeed criminality." "Over the last two decades, many would agree that our educational philosophy at every level has been more and more dominated by an instrumentalist model; less and less concerned with a building of virtue, character and citizenship 'civic excellence' as we might say. And a good educational system in a healthy society is one that builds character, that builds virtue. Seeking explanations, it is worth remembering, is not the same as seeking excuses, and in an intelligent and critical society, we do seek explanations so that we may be able to respond with greater intelligence and greater generosity. One of the most troubling features, as I think all would agree, of recent days, has been the spectacle of not only young people, but even children of school age, children as young as 7 taking part in the events we have seen. And surely, high on our priorities as we respond to these circumstances must be

the question of what we are to do in terms not only of rebuilding the skills of parenting in some of our communities, but in rebuilding education itself."
RM It is, perhaps reassuring to know that the Bishop of Derbys question what difference does Jesus make ? has been in part answered by Bishop Richards observations as he toured the streets of north London:

[1] I am also immensely proud of the response of the church. In Edmonton

and Stepney under the leadership of Bishop Peter and Bishop Adrian [who has had a challenging start to his ministry in the Area], the church has played a large part in reclaiming the streets for the overwhelming majority of responsible citizens by prayer vigils and public demonstrations of solidarity with other Christians and community groups. At the same time our network of parish churches real community hubs has once again proved its worth. I visited St Marys Lansdowne Road which has been open fifteen hours a day with volunteers from the parish helping local residents who have lost their homes and serving refreshments to the police and council workers who are clearing up the mess in Tottenham High Street. Opposite St Marys there is a block of flats reduced to rubble after being torched. One of the most appalling aspects of what has happened is the utter disregard for life and livelihoods shown by a minority of those who went on the rampage. They seem to lack the restraint and the moral compass which comes from clear teaching about right and wrong communicated through nourishing relationships. The background to the riots is family breakdown and the absence of strong and positive role models.
RM : And so, as we look to the future and pray for our City, Archbishop Rowan told parliament that in spite of everything young people deserve the best and that we should seize the moment:

[2]"Communities deserve the best, and above all, let me repeat it, young
people deserve the best." Recognising the many positive acts of citizenship that have been seen among young people, local communities, churches and other faith groups, Dr Williams called for a renewal of civic identity and civic solidarity:

I believe that this is a moment which we must seize, a moment where there is sufficient anger at the breakdown of civic solidarity, sufficient awareness of the resources people have in helping and supporting one another, sufficient hope (in spite of everything) of what can be achieved by the governing institutions of this country, to engage creatively with the possibilities that this moment gives us. And I trust that we shall respond with energy to that moment which could be crucial for the long-term future of our country and our society."
RM: Our responsibility as Christian men and women is to reflect on the events of the past week. To pray for the perpetrators, the victims, the emergency services and all those caught up in unfolding events which we have witnessed. Today, Bishop Richard, through our collections, urges us to offer practical support to those churches reaching out to those whose lives have been turned upside down. Writing in this weekends Church Times, Jon Kuhrt, who works at the West London Mission, urges us to look again at the kind of society we want to grow in the future:

[1] I believe that we are reaping what we have sown; that a tinderbox of issues has been created, and it simply needed something to set it off. That something was the shooting of Mark Duggan in Tottenham, but it could easily have been another incident.
He adds:

[1] I believe that the tinderbox of this situation was created by the following three factors: consumerism; the lack of moral authority in key institutions and the collapse of the family.
RM: But the final word this morning [ as we prepare to make this Eucharist with our city and country at the forefront of our prayers] rests with Richard ,Our Bishop

By standing together as a Diocese and by mutual support and encouragement we can have a presence in every street in our eighteen boroughs and at every level in the life of London. One of the lessons of recent events for example has been the importance of the developing network of police chaplaincies under the leadership of the newly appointed Chaplain to the Met. Jonathan Osborne. We can all have a share in this work by prayer and generosity through the Common Fund. I am so grateful for the many clergy and believers who have helped those in pain, bewilderment and loss over the past few days. It is our calling to be salt

and light in London and I am proud of our church for responding to mostly mindless anarchy by lighting candles rather than torching buildings and by offering loving, practical help in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
RM :The Prayer, issued by the Church of England this week, which we have printed on our Sunday notice sheet we all now say together today.