A STATEMENT FROM THE POVERTY TRUTH COMMISSION
Scotland's first Poverty Truth Commission took place on 21 March 2009, at Glasgow City Chambers in George Square, Glasgow.
A major aim of the Poverty Truth Commission was to give people struggling against poverty an opportunity to have their voices heard. Rev Martin Johnstone from the Church of Scotland Ministries Council, one of the organisers of the event, said: 'The question is how do you overcome poverty? The answer is to ask those who experience it, rather than those who only know it in their heads … Poverty can be overcome in Scotland – but only if we are prepared to take seriously the wisdom of those who really know about it.'
At the end of the Commission those who have been struggling against poverty issued this very powerful statement:
www.iona.org.uk/media/pov_ok.pdf (68kb)
For some highlights of the Commission, go to You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ko4WeKiJ50&feature=related
FASLANE RADIATION LEAKS 'INEXCUSABLE', SAYS CND
A news item from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament website:
www.cnduk.org/index.php/20090427704/press-releases/trident/faslane-radiation-leaks-inexcusable-says-cnd.html
This story was also widely reported in the mainstream media, Left and Right: the Guardian, Telegraph, Herald, Daily Record …(Ed.)
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK, 10-16 MAY
This year's Christian Aid Week focuses on the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For worship resources and planning and publicity materials, go to the Christian Aid website:
www.christianaid.org.uk/getinvolved/christianaidweek/index.aspx
For more information on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, see the spring edition of Coracle. (Ed.)
THE PROJECT: A SCOTTISH FESTIVAL OF ARTS, CULTURE & FAITH
Graham Maule and others have been working on this exciting new development.
‘The Project’ is an interim process of small, viral, organic events during 2009 and 2010, building to the possibility of a larger festival of arts, culture & faith (inspired by, but not exactly imitating Greenbelt) in 2011.
For more info, read this article extracted from the last edition of GooseGander:
www.iona.org.uk/media/the_project.pdf
GooseGander is the twice yearly newsletter of the Wild Goose Resource Group. If you would like to receive a copy of GooseGander and keep in touch with WGRG developments, please let WGRG know, through the Group's email address, or by post.
WILD GOOSE RESOURCE GROUP
Iona Community, 4th Floor,
Savoy House, 140 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow G2 3DH
Scotland
Tel:0141-332-6343/Fax:0141-332-1090
E-mail: wgrg@iona.org.uk
sites.google.com/site/theprojectscotland/
THE IONA COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING CEILIDH
May 30th, 2009
Candlish Hall, St George West Church,
Shandwich Place, Edinburgh
Ticket price: £10/£5 conc
Tickets available from Amanda Wright, or Peter MacDonald at St George's West, or the Iona Community, 4th Floor, Savoy House, Glasgow, 0141-332-6292
As George MacLeod said in Sermon in Stone: 'God didn't mean us to be serious all the time – but we still believe that Christ is the Lord of the Dance!' (adapted slightly) (Ed.)
COME BE A GUEST OF THE IONA COMMUNITY IN 2009
SPACE AVAILABLE AT CAMAS
Camas is a unique residential centre based in a remote and beautiful bay on the isle of Mull.
Weeks for individuals and small groups
There are still spaces available in May:
9th to 15th May: Off Grid, Off Oil, with Raymond Young. A week experiencing and discussing life on the other side of the oil revolution, and exploring how we can live a satisfying and enjoyable low-carbon life.
16th to 22nd May: Reading the Big Book, with Kathy Galloway. A reflective and recreational programme which offers the chance to join with others in reading from the ‘Big Book’ of creation.
Further details are available on the Iona Community's website, or contact Carol Dougall (01681 700404, camas.bookings@iona.org.uk) to book.
Group booking availability
There are still a few spaces available for group bookings, in particular:
30th May to 5th June: The end of May can be one of the nicest times of year at Camas.
11th to 17th July: This week is within the Scottish school holidays, and has only become available due to a last-minute cancellation. Availability in school holiday times is usually hard to get – so this could be your chance!
There are also two weeks available in September: 5th to 11th, and 19th to 25th.
Please contact Carol Dougall (camas.bookings@iona.org.uk, 01681 700404) for further details.
SPACE AVAILABLE AT IONA ABBEY
September and October:
Both the Abbey and the Mac have vacancies on all weeks throughout September and October. Most of the weeks could take a small group, and the 3-night break in both centres, 13-16 October, could take groups in either centre. Individuals, couples and families also welcome.
For more information:
Abbey.Bookings@iona.org.uk
Tel: 01681-700-404
SPACE AVAILABLE AT THE MACLEOD CENTRE
25-6 April: A two-night break
18-24 April: Gathering place week
2-8 May: Gathering place
September and October:
Both the Abbey and the Mac have vacancies on all weeks throughout September and October. Most of the weeks could take a small group, and the 3-night break in both centres, 13-16 October, could take groups in either centre. Individuals, couples and families also welcome.
For more information:
mac.bookings@iona.org.uk
Tel: 01681-700-404
For full details:
www.iona.org.uk/media/comm_bklt_sml2.pdf
www.iona.org.uk/media/programme.pdf
NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM SOME 'FRIENDS OF OUR PURPOSE'
The Get Fair Campaign
Make your voice heard!
Constituency Lobby
June 2009
The Get Fair campaign is coordinating a Constituency-based lobby of MPs on 26-27 June, to ensure ending poverty in the UK is on the agenda of all major political parties.
Government statistics have revealed that 12.8 million people are living in poverty in the UK today – that's 1 in 5 of us. We want you to tell your MP that this is wrong, and it's time to GET FAIR.
www.getfair.org.uk
SCOTTISH CHURCHES HOUSE
Scottish Churches House is an ecumenical conference centre on the Cathedral Square in Dunblane, Scotland. The 2009 programme at Scottish Churches House is another rich and varied one:
www.scottishchurcheshouse.org/programme/
www.scottishchurcheshouse.org/
