Nigel Wright

Christchurch concerns

Thoughts and prayers to our friends in Christchurch - we were shocked at the news - here is how a good friend put it:

"

Christchurch, the Taylor family home, has been hit by a major 7.1 earthquake. Biggest earthquake in New Zealand since 1931. No reports of death, but extensive building damage. Initial estimates are of $2 billion in damage. Photos here, some of which make it look like a war zone. The city is without water and sewage. Quite sad to think that of one’s own city. We’re still trying to check the state of various things, including family, friends, neighbours and property we own. Opawa Baptist pastors have been ringing through the church phone directory checking on everyone in the church. The church has suffered some interior damage, with lights broken. (Update 1: sounds like our house is OK. Still not sure about our holiday home.)

Read more: http://www.emergentkiwi.org.nz/archive/my-homes-a-state-of-emergency/#comment-7376#ixzz0yZoet9H7
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial

Tax shame

As some readers of this blog may be aware I am an accountancy consultant, as well as a curate, practicing under Nigel Wright Accounting. Most of the time the ethical stance of my governing body,the  ACCA means that I do not have a problem in ensuring the ethics derived from my beliefs are upheld.

However, sometimes the accountancy press doesn't help our position, particularly with already strained relationships with HM Revenue & Customs, no thanks to comments such as the following:

"Tip: If you have to pay for that last minute bargain summer holiday in July, you might decide not to pay your tax on time. Don't worry. As long as you make the 2007/089 payment on account by January 31 2009, you won't incur a penalty for not having paid by July 31. But interest will run from that date."

"Give to Ceaser what is Ceaser's?" - when it is due!

Archbishop gets good press!

Sunday the 6th of July was a blessed day from me as I listen to a wonderful sermon at St Mark's by one of our very own and then celebrated communion for the first time. A great privilege and very moving.

It was also a good day for sermons at York Minster as Archbishop Rowan Williams brought people to tears (as per the Daily Telegraph) with a sermon that started and finished with Christ at it's heart. I have taken some "flack" at times for defending Archbishop Rowan (at my lowly level), people being particularly bemused when they realise that I may not always agree with his position but I do respect, and am obedient to, his leadership. His leadership is quite amazing, not least given the almost impossible task he has at times, an area I do feel qualified to make some comment on.

I am looking forward to meeting Archbishop Rowan tomorrow afternoon, with my supervising incumbant and a small group of church leaders, who are involved in various pioneering/fresh expressions/emerging type ministries and then in a service with the Diocesan clergy/church ministers, in our own Deanery, on Wednesday morning.

I reflect with sincere gratitude and thanks for yesterday, it was a special day in more ways than I realised at the time. I also reflect on those who morn this morning, for loved ones lost yesterday, and what a hard day the 6th of July will be for them in future years.

Pro-Hamas?

How can a westerner ever truly understand, comprehend, share the lens?

Image courtesy of MSN news

Racial Justice

Not just for the Kenneth Leech fans that I know!

*Racial Justice Sunday

*September 9th 2007 - Bradford Cathedral 6 pm—8 pm,

*200 years since the abolition of the slave trade

*How can we learn from the past?

*Preacher: The Revd Dr Kenneth Leech

*Author: Race: Changing Society and the Churches (2005)

Solve the energy crisis!

 

Thanks to Eclectic Itchings & Father Bob for this one!

Does make you think...

click on the image to make it bigger!

Terrorist attack - prayer power

On this day we pray for all effected by last years July the 7th bombings:

A PRAYER FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE

God of life,

Every act of violence in our world, in our communities, between myself and others, destroys a part of your creation.

Stir in my heart a renewed sense of reverence for all life.

Give me the vision to recognise your spirit in every human being, however they behave towards me.

Make possible the impossible by cultivating in me the fertile seed of healing love.

May I play my part in breaking the cycle of violence by realising that peace begins with me.

Taken from St Ethelburga’s, in the heart of the city of London, via Ekklesia, here.

A strange day in England

It's an odd day - everywhere seems incredibly subdued - a nation in shock - a nation that feels robbed of a place in the world cup semi-finals. Last night I saw people crying in the streets, not a sight often seen in broad daylight. I have to be honest and say I was disappointed too - but so far have avoided the papers, can't cope with the critics who could always do better!

Yet what is it about nationalism, Australia went through it - robbed by a penalty that wasn't(?), why does a game unite a nation and bring it to it's knees?

I haven't the answers, nationalism is something I struggle with, it can be very dangerous, it has been the cause of so much evil and yet it seems essential to our existence! 

Sure the sociologists and psychologists will have theories, and probably accurate ones too, but at the end of the day it is a unity of passion and grief...a substitute passion and grief?!

The English game...

Being male and English tends to have a prerequisite that you will like (and play) football and yes I fit that stereotype, I used to play for the school team and the local side - well at least until rugby union took over!

Needless to say I like a good game of football, even if I do hate the premier league for the obscene financial structure. But does being English really mean you have to be an eternal pessimist! England loose - the nation (or a lot of it anyway) gets depressed, England win - the nation gets depressed! We should have played better, faster, more skillfully etc.etc.

We are through to the quarter finals! The cup is half full!

Imagine a scenario, you tell an English man that he is saved for all eternity through the death of one man by Crucifixion and his reaction is..." couldn't he have done it in a better way?".

Aaaah...

A Creator God

A great day was had by all in the Wright household as some wonderful spring weather allowed outdoor activities the upper hand.

The sheep seemed impressed too...

The view in the picture is from the bottom of our garden  as the sun set, and as you can probably imagine we find God's creation a strong focus in our spiritual lives.

Our responsibility for this creation is something I muse over a lot...