Dear friends,
In the last week, my news feed has been dominated by two things in particular: the COP30 conference in Brazil, and the new immigration proposals from the Government.
I know from numerous discussions that these are issues that speak to concerns of members of both St Giles’ and St Margaret’s. I’m not going to give you my own personal view, since it is just that – a personal view (I may be a priest but I’m afraid I cannot speak for God!).
However, there are some things that may be worth reflecting on. Particularly in the Hebrew Scriptures, the themes of welcoming the stranger and foreigner, and the stewardship of creation are fairly central. Critics (or cynics) might point out there’s also quite a bit about dominion over creation and the purity (ritual and literal) of the people of God. However, these are perhaps the less surprising elements, given the historical period and region we are talking about. It is this radical openness to God’s gifts, in terms of both the world around us and one another, which speaks out to us as particularly remarkable.
Nevertheless, applying these ethical ideas to modern political debate is never straightforward. Our system of government, with its election cycles and constant media scrutiny, often seems ill‑equipped to address crises that transcend national boundaries and short-term thinking – although the alternatives, as Churchill argued, are almost always worse.
What then shall we do? Perhaps the Hebrew Scriptures remind us that God’s people were called to live faithfully even when the systems around them were flawed or fragile. They were not asked to solve every crisis, but to embody justice, mercy, and humility in their daily lives.
As Advent approaches, we are reminded that our hope does not rest in political systems or international summits, but in the God who comes among us. Christ enters a world of division and uncertainty, and calls us to watchfulness, generosity, and courage.
Rather than adding to the cynicism towards our leaders and politicians, what if we prayed for them? Rather than helplessly closing our eyes to the plight of those most affected by climate change – usually the world’s poorest – what if we kept them in our hearts when we come before God?
Prayer isn’t something which is to be kept separate from our everyday lives, but when it is working well, it shapes and forms those same lives. How can we, either as church communities or as individuals in our daily lives, welcome newcomers and support the vulnerable? How can we practice the stewardship of creation in small, local acts (like our energy use, or care for green spaces)? How can we reflect and live out those values in our interactions with others?
We may not be able to resolve COP30 or immigration policy, but we can live as signs of God’s kingdom – a kingdom where strangers are welcomed, creation is cherished, and hope is never extinguished.