During the summer season we have witnessed divisive and sickening racist demonstrations in the USA, multiple terror attacks all over Europe and a North Korean leader launching missiles in highly threatening ways. These are just a few of the bad news stories over the last few weeks. We should be saddened, shocked and appalled at these events. Yet we must not let this dominate our outlook there are other stories out there where great kindness and unity have been demonstrated. There is much that is broken in this world but there are also many people who are trying to live in ways that bring unity, healing and love to individuals and groups.
At every disaster there are local people as well as international aid agencies that seek to bring help and healing. We usually don’t hear so much about this as the media seems to prefers to focus on an ever increasing bad news agenda of death and disaster.
At a local level there are beautiful things happening in communities all around the world and we need to use the power of social media to share some of these things. Here are 3 recent ones I am aware of:
- I found out recently that a newly bereaved elderly woman has been comforted by the visits of at least 5 different neighbours who were prepared to stay for as long as was needed to listen and love. I found out that some of these same neighbours do the weekly shopping, the gardening and regularly call in. Isolation is broken down and community is growing.
- The local Anglican churches in Doncaster work together in Mission Partnerships and last week our youth worker took youth from two churches to a Christian Festival called Soul Survivor. It was a mix of worship, learning and fun. I had the privilege of being with them on Day One of the festival and picking them up on Day Five. It was amazing to see the way that these young people with different backgrounds, personalities and ages became like a family as they focused on what united them rather than what made them different.
- On Sunday afternoon we are hosting a community event to celebrate music and community. The bands that are playing will be made up of people of diverse ages and backgrounds. We also hope to have representatives from different faith communities so that we can publicly show that our common humanity and desire to love unites us. In standing together we want to declare that love will triumph over hate.
What good news stories are you aware of? How can you help create a good news story?
Richard Heard 