The anticipated arrival of Lou, our new minister/pastor generated much discussion within our church family. Many sentences started ‘When Lou arrives…’
Lou’s now been with us for nearly three weeks… What sort of church shall we become? One word often used to describe the church we aspire to be is ‘inclusive’…
There’s the standard expectation… we should include all regardless of their race, class, culture, gender, sexuality, disability… Including the marginalised was part of Jesus’ mission…
Yesterday’s headline-news was the conviction of nurse Lucy Letby… murdering seven babies in the Chester Hospital neonatal unit… trying to kill six other children… six further attempted murder charges unresolved.
I mused on the thoughts and feelings of the parents of these children… They represent the broken-hearted, the bereaved, those whose past is profoundly traumatic… How do we embrace and support them in our inclusive church?
In huge contrast… Yesterday’s ‘church-family’ news was that Nathan and Jennifer have got engaged. A young couple, their lives in front of them, delighted family and friends… Many messages of congratulations. ‘We’re both very happy and excited’
…Nathan and Jennifer represent the young people in our town, the next generation, those with hopes and dreams, plans and aspirations… How do we encourage and enable them in our inclusive church?
I’m enjoying ‘Leora’s Dexter Stories’ that tells of life in rural Iowa during the Great Depression: ‘The newspapers made it sound like the crash of the stock market that October (1929) was a big deal… but the Wilsons’ lives didn’t change at all. Like so many families, they already lived with scarcity.’
…The Wilson family represents those for whom the cost-of-living crisis has made no difference – because they ‘already lived with scarcity’. How do we include those who are struggling and barely surviving in our inclusive church?
Many would see church as middle-aged, middle-incomed, middle-class, middle-aspirations… How do we gain greater awareness, foster understanding and empathy, give voice to and empower the marginalised, and become truly, radically inclusive?
malcolmsmusings.org 
I notice you make no judgements about Lucy Letby’s horrendous actions. Is she one of the “marginalised”?
I have to say that no matter what the crime I cannot believe anyone is born evil. we are all the product of Nature/Nurture. Our genes and our upbringing make us what we are. One of the biggest lessons I received from my father was empathy.
Lucy Letby can never be allowed back into society. But, I do wonder if a human being who can commit such horrendous acts can be anything other than very very mentally ill. Or, suffering the result of some catastrophic mental torments.
Of course, little Jamie Bulger’s horrendous death raised the same polemic thirty years ago.
I have no religion, as you know Malcolm, but I hope your Jesus would understand more than the public will.
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Good morning, Alan.
As always, it’s good to hear from you. You open for consideration several heaps of worms that – you’re right – I chose to leave within their cans this morning.
I agree with your suggestion that criminals and ex-criminals are marginalised. Whether they should be left on the margins I would love to chew over with you sometime over a coffee or a pint…
…Christian principles of pro-active empathy, compassion and forgiveness… as well as an understanding of health and wholeness, are not as straightforward as some would make out. Yet, despite our different faith perspectives, I think that we could find some agreement.
Thanks again for contributing to the discussion, Alan.
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