North-West dioceses prepare for Advent

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Last winter there was carol singing in our streets and in church, last minute shopping, parties, meals at home and in restaurants with family and friends, theatre visits. Now there is zoom, skype, social distancing, face masks and tiers (with a threat of another lockdown). For a limited few days we can meet with family for a meal, but should we?

This 'new world' means that we are actually meeting with far fewer people than we used to, but in its place have become space and time travellers. Sitting comfortably at home with the press of a few buttons, we can attend events all over the country or even the world. If we miss something or find two good things happening at the same time, we can catch up.

All this is reflected in the latest issue of Mouthpeace, the joint quarterly magazine of Shrewsbury and Liverpool J&P Commission. There are fewer personal reports on meetings attended or group activities, but instead invitations to zoom and to catchup so that we can join more things ourselves rather than hearing of them second hand. And we can still send emails, sign petitions, donate to our favourite causes and pass around information.

As far as J&P is concerned it seems that 'networking' is key which makes the National Justice and Peace Network even more valuable and worth supporting. We thank Anne Peacey for all she has done as Chairperson and wish Paul Southgate well in his new role as Chair.

NJPN's Advent Reflections 2020 have been produced by Anne O'Connor, based on writings of her daughter Annie who died of natural causes earlier this year. Annie was a scripture scholar and former teacher. For the past four years she worked for Church Army, tutoring the Evangelists in Training - lay people who are then qualified to work in parishes implementing community support programmes, especially in areas of social deprivation. Church Army has given permission to use extracts from some of the articles she wrote for them and are delighted to see her work carrying on in this way. Please pass on for parish or individual use.

www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/resources/advent-reflections-from-njpn-2/

Full Mouthpiece newsletter at: www.churchestogethermarplearea.org.uk/justice-and-peace-group/