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Safeguarding can sometime feel like a bit of trek. I enjoy a long walk but sometimes it’s a tedious tramp, at other times it’s an exhilarating ridge walk. The only trouble with a ridge walk though is the climb to get up there. The coming down can also be a bit tricky. Short, sharp strolls can also help re-charge physical and emotional batteries. The analogy can go on and on and on… One of the many cultural casualties of the pandemic has been the early closure of an art exhibition entitled ‘We Will Walk’. Staged at the Turner gallery in Margate it opened in late February and so was on our bucket and spade list for the Easter holiday period. It was an exhibition featuring the art and culture of the American South and featured rural crafts from upstate Alabama. The exhibition aimed to link the art, much of which featured recycled materials, with the 1960’s Civil Rights movement with its focus on protest marches and bus boycotts. If you don’t take the bus, you will have to walk. The exhibition curators could not have predicted Covid-19, nor the strength of the current Black Lives Matter campaigns, but the echoes of history, art and music would have provided stunning contemporary relevance. You can get a glimpse of what this exhibition was about here: https://turnercontemporary.org/whats-on/we-will-walk/ Another walking piece caught my eye at the weekend. A ‘guerrilla geographer’ – I quite like that concept – has developed a project to map old footpath routes between towns and settlements. Working with Ordnance Survey he has begun to establish a network of ‘Slow Ways’ that are not tourist honeypot walks, but a revival of the generations-old paths and trackways that were our ancestors’ means of social and trading contact. With the sudden shift from public transport and if we don’t want to contribute more car exhaust fumes, the idea of going about our normal business by walking to our destinations has some appeal. Ideally these should be ‘green corridor’ walks as opposed to suburban street bashing. The downside is that as a circuit steward it would take me two hours to reach the church at the other end of the circuit! But it would mean that we could slow down the pace of our unbelievably busy lives. So safeguarding as a walk? Good preparation, the right shoes, a map and compass, like-minded travelling companions, a clear destination, contingency plans to avoid the bull in the field or an over-eager dog, supplies to keep you going. Equally as important, walking in someone else’s shoes, alongside and keeping in step with them should be features of our plans to help churches who may be struggling to get safeguarding right. There is also a very clear message here about the way in which we should support survivors of abuse. So long may we continue to walk. Our scriptures are full of stories and imagery about walking. It’s part of who we are. Good for the body and good for the soul.

Lord God, Looking back, we give you our thanks for the love we have received, the care we have been shown and the help you have given to us and our circuit of churches. Looking forward, we ask your help in everything the future holds – all the challenges we shall face, the opportunities we shall take and the disappointments we shall endure. Guide us, faithful God, that we may walk with you and work for your kingdom of justice, peace and love. Grant us courage to discover more of your will for our lives and a deep and sincere love for people everywhere. In the name of Christ. Amen PLEASE PRAY FOR: 1. Please pray for the ministry of our probationer presbyter, Revd Esther Akam, as she continues into her second year. 2. Please pray for the worship, service and mission of all our churches, and for our ministers – especially Revd Jonathan Mead as he enjoys time with his new child, Brecon, during a period of Shared Paternity Leave. 3. Please pray for the developing ministry among children and young people, especially the setting-up of new Messy Church initiatives.

You may think it a tad odd to be writing about holidays. Quite when, where and how we shall holiday this summer is not at all clear. But the annual holiday, a short break or just time off work is something we look forward to. It’s perhaps equally odd to be thinking about holidays as almost 9 million people are on furlough, it’s been reported today. So why the focus on holiday? We can all probably recollect memorable holidays and those that have been, quite frankly, a bit of a washout. Literally so in some cases. As we enjoyed our first garden encounter with our granddaughter on Saturday, my son reminded me that standing in the rain, eating a sandwich was just like family holidays, especially those taken in Scotland (sorry Scots friends). But the more positive memories can help us recall better times and provide us with some comfort as we think about what might come next. But as we wait and see, how will our experience of the last three months affect us? What memories will we carry forward? Even though some of us have been forced to stay at home or very local we can all benefit from the change of routine and the chance to recharge the batteries that a holiday provides. Can we ‘holiday’ in a lockdown? I do think we need to try and that may take a bit of creative thinking, The title of this piece could have come from many stories and films, but for me it’s the title of the folk-rock band Fairport Convention’s LP (old school) issued in early 1969. Incidentally the Fairports were the last band we saw live in late February before lockdown. The LP was recorded over the summer of 1968, the year of the Paris street riots, the huge anti-Vietnam war protest outside the American Embassy and the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia. It was a moment in time, young people making clear statements about how they wanted the world to be different, and I’m struck by the parallels with the Black Lives Matter protests we are seeing this week. This started as a piece to encourage looking after yourself and taking time out. To safeguard your well-being and better equip you for the post lockdown uncertainty of what’s going to be OK and not OK in our church life. But it’s become something a little different. So the question ‘what did you do on your holidays’, is perhaps changing this year to ‘how did you spend the summer’ and ‘what difference did it make?’ Have a good break however you find and take it.

Waken the B&Q Circuit, O Lord, Open our eyes to your glory Open our ears to your story Open ours hearts to your fire Open our wills to your desire Waken the B&Q Circuit us, O Lord, To your risen power To your Presence every hour To your never-ending love To your coming from above. Waken the B&Q Circuit , O Lord, To your peace here today To your meeting in the way To your speaking in a friend To your guiding to the end, Waken us, O Lord to your glory - (adapted , from David Adam’s book , ‘Landscapes of Light’- with permission of SPCK) PLEASE PRAY FOR: 1. Circuit Review: Ask for guidance and commitment as each Church is encouraged to develop a Mission Action Plan (M.A.P) 2. Ministry: For wisdom and a response to God’s call as the Circuit Leadership changes over the next two years both for Presbyters and Circuit Stewards. 3. Talking Jesus: We ask that each church seeks to use this Evangelism Teaching Course in creative ways to give them more confidence in sharing their faith.

Football’s coming home, it’s coming home to South London’s Number One in SE25. The third match after restart will be the home match against Burnley, by which time we will have played Liverpool away. That’s another story and as a football correspondent has just written ’a bit of a challenge’. Regular readers will know that I will have been concerned about the safeguarding steward and how he (it’s always been a he to date) has been experiencing the lockdown, and now how he is preparing for future home games. For him, the lack of a home crowd to look out for will be his frustration. And then what will be his role in the brave new world of socially distanced spectating? I see him as the custodian of the sacred 2 metre ruler, preferably one of those old fashioned wooden ones with metal joints so that the key measurement can be adjusted as government policy dictates. He would be able to undertake checks on fans sitting too close by placing the ruler between their shoulders. This too will be a challenge as the seats are no more than two feet wide, if that. So as we work out what’s now OK and still not OK, what’s the role of the local church safeguarding officer? Their core business is still about organising and recording training, making sure that safe recruitment policies are maintained and giving basic advice if something comes up. But what about advising on social distancing and safe practice in the Sunday school or how pastoral visits are arranged? Safe Zoom practice and hand sanitisers? Shall we sing? What about distribution of the elements? PPE for cleaners? It’s clear that no one person has the monopoly of wisdom here, and so the emphasis should be on church teamwork so that the safeguarding officer can make their contribution and neither feel side-lined nor overwhelmed. Various parts of the Connexion have produced guidance relating to their areas of expertise and these are readily available on the Methodist Church website. Safeguarders do have an important role to play and it may evolve as our church life experience adapts to future challenges. But for the moment having a seat at the table where the decisions are made is the best place to be, offering insight and maybe raising one or two of those tricky ‘yes, but…’ questions I’d suggest that the ruler stays folded in your pocket, but keep it handy.

The Spirit of the living God moves in the Church and through the world today. Holy God, in this season of Pentecost, may the Church glisten with the activity of your Spirit; may we, your people, receive the gifts of your Spirit and work in your world to share them with all. If our work seems dull or duty bound, remind us of the joy of those early followers of Jesus, whose lives were transformed at Pentecost. If our worship seems dry or lacking in depth, remind us of the praises of your early Church, that inspired your people to acts of mission and service. If our world seems unjust and uncaring, remind us that you anoint us, through Christ, to bring good news to the poor. Bless us today, that we might be more aware of your Spirit at work in our lives, in the church and in the world. For the sake of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Spirit. Amen

I hope you have been enjoying socially distanced sunshine over this last weekend. Although we had the briefest shower of rain on Saturday, the gardens are looking a bit dry and parched, and so perversely I am longing for some more sustained rain to bring back that sparkle. I’m also keen that scarce resources that might otherwise be ‘hose-piped’ are replenished. Equally perversely, I then hope it doesn’t rain for days on end. Some readers will know that I come from a small town on the edge of London where 52 years ago many houses, and our local Methodist Church, found themselves under a few inches or feet of brown, sludgy water after a sustained deluge of rain caused a local river to flood. You can’t win, so maybe I’m just a sunshine and showers person. When I was a child I seriously worried about excessive rain. My father would often tell me the legend of St Swithun and the saying that if it rained on his saint day (July 15th) it would rain for 40 days thereafter. I lived in a mid-July fear of a second Noah’s Ark experience, probably forgetting the promise of the rainbow. The words entered my consciousness and stayed. Similarly, and this is tangentially weather related, my best friend’s mum often pointed out to me that if I pulled a face and the wind changed direction, I would remain looking like this. She referenced a boy in our school class whose face seemed set in a permanent questioning sneer as a classic example of this phenomena, which wasn’t really a kind thing to say. Throw into the mix the pain I encountered having been sunburnt for the first time age 10, you can perhaps see where this weather related obsession comes from. So the words we hear as children and the ideas behind them can have a considerable impact on our lives. We believed the grownups (for a while) even when what they said made no sense, and I never did get to relive the story of Noah with a distorted face. Sadly in some families the words used can be more sinister and convey a coercive and controlling idea that is harmful to the child – emotionally, physically or sexually. They rely on the potency of the inherent trust that a young child has for their parents. They are older and wiser so what they say must be true. Life experience may not yet have provided the opportunity for contrast, and indeed in some cases, the family narrative is that ‘we aren’t like other people’ so these outside contacts are avoided or missed completely. So as we start the gradual process of thinking about how we do church again, and as we engage more with children, keep your ears open for the sayings and stories that don’t sound quite right. The sun will still shine and the rain will fall (eventually), but the power of early words can also remain deeply embedded for all seasons of the year.

You asked for my hands that you might use them for purpose. I gave them for a moment then withdrew them for the work was hard. You asked for my mouth to speak out against injustice. I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused. You asked for my eyes to see the pain of poverty. I closed them for I did not want to see. You asked for my life that you might work through me. I gave a small part that I might not get ‘too involved’. Lord, forgive me for my calculated efforts to serve you only when it is convenient for me to do so, only in those places where t is safe to do so, and only with those who make it easy to do so. Father, forgive me, renew me, send me out as a usable instrument that I may take seriously the meaning of your Cross - The Prayer of a Reluctant Disciple, Joe Seremane (taken from Lifelines, Christian Aid, 1987—with permission) PLEASE PRAY FOR: We pray for strength on living with the challenges of life in the City: 1. For users of foodbanks and the Peckham Pantry, those on benefit and managing periods of sanction; for those least equipped to access help and support; 2. For the work of the Southwark Peace Garden at Walworth Church and the continuing support of those whose lives are scarred by violent crime; 3. For renewed commitment to tackling the inequalities and injustices that restrict the growth and opportunities for all within the community; 4. For our congregations and communities that extend to all parts of the world, may our vision not compromise the one God, who is over all, through all and in all.

Can you tell if someone has not been looking after themselves? Is it because they have not showered or changed their clothes? Is it because they have lost weight or their appearance is markedly different? Or something more hidden you cannot see? The route out of the lockdown is already complex with many of us having to make balanced decisions about going out to work and seeing family. What will the lockdown have done to us in the meantime? Will we look different to how people remember us – well maybe our hair will be longer if we have some, or if we have tried to cut it ourselves we may well look a bit odd! So as we greet people we haven’t seen for two to three months what will we notice about them? Knowing them and their situations as we do, are there things we will be particularly looking out for? A jaunty demeanour replaced by withdrawal; a shining face turned to an unhealthy pallor; rings around the eyes or bruises; a physical condition got worse, or even maybe better if what was needed was an enforced good rest. A London Safeguarding Adults Board reports a significant increase in April of referrals of vulnerable adults where self-neglect is a key factor. These have perhaps been acute examples but the modelled expectation is that as more people emerge and resume some degree of socially distanced public contact there will be a further spike in referrals as hidden concerns come to light. Churches in due course, once risk assessments have been completed, may be one of those comfortable places which older people may feel they can venture towards. So when they do, pastoral teams would do well to take a careful look at what’s changed. It may not be like the children’s milestones we may have missed; the changes are probably likely to be far more subtle. We know to some extent that we are all changed in some way. But for those who perhaps live alone, or already had an underlying condition pre-lockdown that needed good self-care and vigilance, let’s keep focused and pass on any concerns to the minister or your church safeguarding officer.

A prayer led by the Speaker’s Chaplain in the House of Commons: Lord, the God of righteousness and truth, grant to our Queen and her government, to Members of Parliament and all in positions of responsibility, the guidance of your Spirit. May they never lead the nation wrongly through love of power, desire to please, or unworthy ideals but laying aside all private interests and prejudices keep in mind their responsibility to seek to improve the condition of all humankind; so may your kingdom come and your name be hallowed. Amen. PLEASE PRAY FOR: 1. For the continuing development of our healing ministry and our new co-ordinator. 2. For the leading of the Holy Spirit in a time of transition of staff and lay leaders. 3. For volunteers to grow and sustain the Westminster Night Shelter ministry over the winter.

So the road map had been published. Whether you see it as providing clear direction or a mass of confusion, it is clear, as some papers suggest today, that the map will need to be read with a large dollop of common sense. Hopefully not the common sense that led to a hospital in Wales reportedly being overwhelmed with alcohol related head injuries over the bank holiday weekend, according to the BBC. The trouble with road maps these days is that we’ve got out of the habit of plotting our routes on paper and making a choice about directions. We expect to be told what to do and where to go by our satnavs. This has been our lockdown experience – being told clearly what we can and cannot do. Inevitably the lifting of the lockdown was probably always going to lead to the sort of questions the media is firing today at Matt Hancock. So what of our church safeguarding agenda as we cautiously pop our heads above the parapet? Applying common sense in safeguarding can be challenging. Balanced pragmatism and proportionality can also either be someone’s unnecessary bureaucracy and political correctness or conversely another’s too risky a response. The Connexional Safeguarding Team is starting this week to reflect on what our brave new world will look like, what we need to build on from the lockdown experience, and what needs to change to carry on our business efficiently and safely. This will not be a quick process as we will need to consider a wide range of factors. Not least will be having to make sure we match our emergent thinking with what doing and being church will look like at a local level. For example, how activities are planned and delivered and how far the avalanche of online communication networks will continue, will affect the guidance we provide. What new risks will be identified that we shall need to address? At the same time, core principles such as safe recruitment and training will remain firmly in place, but the processes involved may well be arranged differently. So this is really a clear message to local church leaders to remind you to think about how safeguarding policies will be applied as you consider how national and Connexional guidance will shape future church plans. Our safeguarding policies should really be our satnav. Let’s make sure that our local roadmaps don’t allow for too many diversions or deviations. We have come so far in the church in recent years. Let’s not run the risk of letting our focus slip.

Lord we pray for the life blood of our churches that is the children and young people, that they may know you deeper, to experience your love for them through your church and its people. Jesus we pray for those, paid and volunteer, who find themselves in the privileged position of working with the children and young people across London. That you will bless them, their ministry and their passion. God we pray for all the various activities, events, clubs and groups that happen all over London, whose aim is to reach children and young people in your name. We ask for your hand in all the church does for the children and young people. Holy Spirit we ask you to move in the life of the church, that they will seek to be intentional about and innovative in approach as they seek to reach the new generation. Amen PLEASE PRAY FOR: 1. For 3Generate, action-packed and inspiring weekend for hearing the voice of children and young people across the Methodist Church, focussing on fun, faith and friends, which happens every November. 2. For the various people from across the District, who give their passions, gifts and time to enrich the lives of the children, young people and families on London 3. For all the training and equipping days that happen across the District to empower children and youth workers with the knowledge and skills to better serve the children and young people.