Blog Archive

Monday, September 17

Avoid London Today





Just updating the look of our blog here, and tried this image in the heading - except it took over the whole page! Not good. However, I took this picture on the way back from a chaplain's meeting in York on that fateful day of the London 7/7 bombings in 2005. Much of the infrastructure across the country closed down, and all train services were suspended. I ended up having a lift back to London thanks to a generous motorist. Aircraft were still flying, and if you look top right of the picture, you'll see a Boeing 747 or Airbus 340 preparing for final approach to Heathrow's 9L or 9R runway, a flightpath that almost overflyies Winsor Castle. - Look at the very first entry on my blog archive, where I transcribed my unedited diary account that I wrote 4 hours after the attacks.

Right now, plans are re-emerging for the 'Emergency Response Trust' that is helping those in the community make emergency contingency plans (see the previous post as well). Unlike many top-led scheme that major on business recovery, our focus is on working with the most vulnerable individuals and community groups. We are not just working on preparing for what might happen, but also strengthening community bonds between ethnic groups, so that much needed support can be accessed right here and now. A big 'thank you' for all who have encouraged us in the work so far! To cut our costs, I've dumped our Emergency Response website, and host only this blog and my more personal blog, that is called Faith's Journey.

Community Response Trust update

Just a word to say that I'm here but having 2 blogs was proving too much, so this one has sat there for a long time. Since the last entry, we've had some of the worst flooding nationally that Britain has seen for many years. Our contingency planning charity, and Annette's flood awareness work took a back seat for the duration of the storms - largely because our original funding bid was unsuccessful - although we received many comments indicating that it was worthwhile work. We are about to re-submit a very modified funding bid that will be trimmed down to essentials - God has been so good in the past year or so - we have venues lined up to use, we have office equipment -- and we didn't write a single begging letter!

Then, two weeks ago, the local council (London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham) contacted Annette and asked if she would represent them on a Civil Contingencies forum, which she did. What I find most encouraging is that neither Annette nor myself went looking for doors to open, but at the right time, others are opening doors for us. At the heart of it all, the community is what is important -- we are not at all important; it is our ability to serve, help, encourage and prepare those around us that alone is of value. I pray only that we might retain -- and grow -- in servanthood.

I can only at this stage update this infrequently, although there are a couple of recent posts on my other blog, which is http://faithsjourney.blogspot.com Do please feel free to reply and comment on ANY post; your opinion and view will be respected, if posted with respect! I value diversity and your viewpoints are important to me!

With God's Blessings in Christ,
John R.