DR Congo is a confusing place. It should be one of the richest countries in the world, it has vast natural resources yet years of Civil War have led to a humanitarian crisis and appeals for financial support. It seems that its potential wealth is in many ways a curse - with corruption, power struggles and ancient conflicts coming to the fore. Many are dead and many have fled - hence here in frozen Rochdale we have a significant Congolese community some of whom have formed their own church at worship at St. Andrew's on a Sunday afternoon. They are a wonderful vibrant people, who don't say much about the situations they fled or the methods by which they escaped. They appreciate the opportunity to make a new life here and are working hard to make the most of it. Pastor Andre is now a British citizen and much prouder of that status than I am - but then he had to work for it. Those who have been given leave to remain support those whose immigration status is more insecure - helping each other through the asylum/refugee/immigration process; teaching people English and something of the culture; collecting food - which we help with; creating hospitality and reasons to celebrate. 

Lets pray for DR Congo and all its people, those facing the fear of poverty, hunger and civil war; and those who have made new lives in strange foreign places like Rochdale.

"Rejoice during your festival, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female slaves, as well as the Levites, the strangers, the orphans, and the widows resident in your towns." Deuteronomy 16:14

Time for a new beginning. This can no longer be a sabbatical blog for the resting is over and it stopped being a sermon blog a long time ago, so time for a new beginning. Long ago the subheading promised "essays, hymns and confusion" but I don't write essays any more and it's been a while since I managed a new hymn so that just leaves confusion.

And I rarely am other than confused when it comes to Advent - so lets try and write some confusion for Advent. The problem is that Advent gets squashed into an extended Christmas - its shopping time, it's decorating time, it's fair time; it's party time and we just can't wait until it's all over. People also tend to assume that for minister's it's an extra busy time. I don't find that to be the case - the services are fairly straight forward, often repeating the order and hymns from a previous year, so preparation is easier; no one has time for meetings or to be visited unless there is a specific need - so I don't find myself much busier than any other time - still do everything on the last minute though!

So I never quite know what to do about Advent. I will try and look at end time themes for the first two Sundays - but people don't really want all that confusing doom and gloom, by week three we are into Lessons & Carols and Nativities and safe territory for all concerned -which is a shame because there are some important themes to be explored. So can I write something for every day of Advent? - let's wait and see.