Sixty years after the creation of the state of Israel, tensions in the Holy Land continue to capture the attention of the world, and continue to divide people of all faiths across the globe.

Come and spend a day with representatives from three organizations working to reduce violence in the region: Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine Israel (EAPPI), and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).

The London Mennonite Centre has had a long, close relationship with Workshop, a programme which has changed the lives of many people associated with the Centre. It is our very special privilege this year to offer those of you who have not yet experienced Workshop a day of discovery you will not want to miss (and for those of you who have already experienced Workshop, this is an opportunity to rediscover what you loved the first time around).

During the past decade, we have heard much about the ecological crisis facing our planet and how we, as Christians, need to take action. But what kinds of actions should we and our churches be taking? How do we get going on environmental issues?

Under the influence of civic religion, concerns such as peacemaking have usually been considered ‘optional extras’ for Christians - matters best sidelined into a special arena labelled ‘ethics’, where pacifists clash and those who think violence is necessary continue to disagree.

Peacemaking is an inherent part of the Christian life. Gene Stoltzfus was involved in the founding of Christian Peacemaker Teams and was the director for 16 years until his retirement. Peacemaking as worked out by CPT includes serious training in the arts of nonviolence, negotiations, human rights work, media, and the integration of Christian spirituality on a day to day basis. CPT also works hard at developing team work and appreciates the importance of diversity within team life including gender equality.

It sounds so exciting and gritty, moving to the city and exploring how to be church. Working with people from all over the world, with experiences so far removed from our own life experiences. Finding God at work amongst the tower blocks, seeing people discover freedom and life. But what are the realities of Church planting in the inner city, what issues are to be faced if we engage fully in Urban Mission?

Gareth Higgins writes: “Going to the cinema can be a spiritual experience akin to worship, which can inspire and convict as well as any sermon.” Discussing films, and the relation between films and theology, is all very good, but there is something magical, and potentially spiritual, about dimming the lights and watching films together before we move into discussion.

As Anabaptists we believe that God has created a wonderful world and that it is up to us to respect it and care for it. One practical way we can do this on a personal level is to consider how and where we obtain the foods that we eat.

What is our response to a world in need and what is our ability to make a difference? How do we create a climate of change?