DARK PLACES, SACRED SPACES

Easter should be a sacred time for followers of Jesus. No doubt about it what so ever. Too often though, as with Christmas, I have often struggled to find those genuine sacred moments amid an increasingly commercial emphasis.

This past Easter was different though, in a bit of an unexpected way. Just 25 miles up the road from Swansea, where we live, is the community of Bridgend. Bridgend has hit the headlines in recent weeks for all the wrong reasons. A seemingly in explicable high number of teen suicides over recent months have brought damming headlines such as ‘suicide city’ which have hardly been helpful in a place that is trying to cope with immense tragedy.

On Good Friday as God’s Squad members in South Wales, we hosted a memorial run (ride) to Zac’s Place for a memorial service to remember biking mates in the area that we have collectively lost. About 70 turned up from a numerous local clubs to share in some moments of quiet reflection and remembrance. Hospitality was shared and many of our guests appreciated the artworks on display too. But, here’s the twist, as an additional act, the ride then continued to Bridgend; To a popular kids hangout and near the site of the skate park in the town centre. The purpose was simply to provide a symbolic symbol of solidarity with a community of people that is hurting. As many of our biking mates rode in memory of lost loved ones, they also remembered others, as we placed a brightly coloured wreath and personal notes signed by many of the run participants. Many taking part have their own kids - many of them teenagers. This was closer to home than we thought.

It was a precious moment - many of our mates wouldn’t necessarily share our faith, the sight of all of us riding up the M4 doesn’t initially seem like a sacred act in progress! But it was, somehow it just was. There was a connection going on between people and with God; questions and human frailty were all reference points. Friday was indeed Good.
Sunday, resurrection day, was equally moving. A three hundred mile, last minute, round trip to Reading to visit a friend in the very late stages of cancer. Of all days, the day we celebrate an empty tomb, I struggle to find words of hope and comfort but I do my best. I take his hand and kiss his forehead, praying that God’s peace would be real amid the turmoil. As I walk from the ward and look over my shoulder, he raises a cup of medication, as if to say ‘cheers’........
........I got home that night and kissed each of the four children as they slept and was grateful to have a wife that I love and a God that understands such mystery when my answers have long since dried up.
Tues, 25 March, 2008

Bryn Haworth Track Added on MySpace Page...and other updates.

As expected the recent Martyn Joseph Gig at Zac's Place went brilliantly. Alternative format in the second half giving opportunity for questions proved a worthwhile exercise with a whole range of questions from the deep to the trivial, moving to the amusing. His 'storyteller' song was 'Carried In Sunlight' which he performed and then movingly explained the song line by line as he recounted much of his Grandfathers life and influence on him and his struggle and death from Alzheimer's. Numerous folk at the show commented on, despite seeing MJ on many occasions, they thought this performance was the best they'd heard - high praise indeed. Thanks to all who supported the gig and to MJ for choosing to use Zac's as his preferred venue in this area.

Continuing on the theme of live Zac's gigs, I have uploaded a short instrumental track recorded live at Zac's from Bryn Haworth on our MySpace page. It's a beautiful rendition of 'Were You There..' and a dobro masterclass for any guitarist. Quite superb.

Also did a radio spot for Swansea Bay Radio on Helen Enser Morgan's Show in recent weeks - pic below of muggin's and Helen meeting 'Doris' - one of our Beatitudes art exhibits. (Although Doris didn't say alot on the interview..)


Next couple of weeks sees me return to Spring Harvest to work on the Pastoral Team and then onto Holland to take a wedding. Some of which either some or all of the family join me. This is all after (Good) Friday's Bikers Memorial Run via Zac's which God's Squad is running and then onto Bridgend to show support for the community there.

May the challenge and eternal hopes of the Easter message be real in these coming days to each of us.

Live Music

It's been great to have some gigs to be involved in over recent weeks. Whilst we're not in a position at the moment to put on the weekly events in a pub, I really miss it. Two weeks ago I was asked to host and run the stage for a charity fundraiser gig at the Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot - in aid of CISS (Cancer Information & support Services). It was a very emotional night for all concerned. Last year I took the funeral of Matthew Davies, a young man, whose parents I know. Matthew died of pneumonia whilst battling leukemia. During his period of illness he dreamed of being fit enough to raise funds to help those who had cared or him - he actually wanted to bounce a basket ball from his home near Port Talbot to Cardiff. Sadly he never got the opportunity. In his memory, his parents organised a live music event pulling in a host of local musos including Mal Pope, Lorraine King, Helen Ensa Morgan, Phil James, Rob Ash, Luke Morgan, Andrew Meehan and headlined by The Storys. What followed was a great night of excellent live music infront of about 350 people and raising over $4000.

Two days later we hosted Bryn Haworth at Zac's Place. Bryn gave a master class in guitar playing in what was a virtual sell out gig. My personal fave moment was the Dobro instrumental of 'Were you there when they crucified my Lord....' - quite sensational. To see such an accomplished artist at work is indeed a priviledge. Great to have Paul P at the desk too for the occasion. Thanks to all who supported the event and also to Linden Church for help in promo. Bryn's Site Here

From host, stage manager and promoter it was great last weekend to get to a gig as a fan. To celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary last weekend, Jayne and I went to see Mike Peters at the Point in Cardiff. Jayne's always loved The Alarm - infact our kitchen noticeboard has a pic of Jayne and Mike from a Zac's gig years ago when they were both on the same bill! Mike did a great 2 hour acoustic set proving that the revolution can still be led by an loaded six string acoustic guitar.

More ace music coming up this Friday at Zac's as Martyn Joseph returns. This time it's part of his UK spring tour - his most recent visit was guesting with John Smith back in September. Always a pleasure, always a journey of contrasts. Some tickets still available by the way....£14 07971 218644

LARRY NORMAN - A Great American...

After a long struggle with poor health, the voice crying in the wilderness that was Larry Norman died on Sunday in America. May the legacy of his songs live on in the countless performers around the world who recognized his song writing talents and continue to perform these masterpieces. Rest in Peace, Larry.

THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL

THE OUTLAW

Which Piece Are You....

Made from the broken bits, the cast offs and misfits - our new window.....

Yes I know it's back to front - that's because I shot it from the inside using the natural light outside...

Windows and Gigs....

A whole heap of stuff has been happening, which means I haven't had a great deal of time to jot any notes down recently.

Great mate and stained glass artist Lloyd, has done the first of two windows to go over the main doors of the venue - this first one is based on the Zac's logo and made of a myriad of colours and shapes - and all from his scraps bin - true Zac's style, made something very beautiful out of the broken bits and leftovers.....Pics to follow....

A lot happening on the music front. I hosted a charity fundraiser gig last night at the Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot. It was organised by the family of a lad who's funeral I took last year and was in aid of the cancer care at Singleton Hospital in Swansea. The Storys headlined the gig which also featured a whole heap of top quality local artists, several of which are our regulars. A real great night with some very special moments and it all probably raised in excess of £5000. A wonderful tribute.

Tickets are going well for the Bryn Haworth Gig tomorrow and there's Martyn Joseph on 7 March which I'm looking forward to. Also got a radio interview with Helen Ensa Morgan for Swansea Bay next week sometime.... amid all this, usual chaos continues....

MARTYN JOSEPH TICKETS AVAILABLE

Fri 7 March sees Martyn Joseph return to Zac's Place as part of his UK Spring tour. His gig at Zac's is one of a few selected as a one that will feature special Q & A opportunity in the second set.


Great to read his 'Vegas' album review in MOJO this week and giving it a four star rating.

Colin Irwin writes.....

Britain's best-kept secret goes on the attack

Welsh singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph is one of Britain's most underrated talents. He had a hit 25 years ago with a song about dolphins and seems to have been filed under "wet" ever since. In reality, he's a challenging songwriter and a compelling courageous live performer. This forthright album - cleverly balancing a menacingly Spartan production with angry vocals, broody electric guitar and stirring narrative songs - demands reclassification. Strange characters weave in and out of its colourful human scenarios. The title track is the story of a lonesome cab driver, while The Fading of Light is a modern Desolation Row and Nobody Loves You Any more a coldly fierce epitaph to a shamed leader - just fill in your own name. But it's the musical spaces Joseph daringly inserts which make the difference, giving the album its brooding tension and intensity.

Tickets for the gig are available from Zac's Place, 07971 218644 or the tour office 01524 414043 Price £14
More info available from MJ site HERE

BRYN HAWORTH TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

Yup, Bryn Haworth play's Zac's on 23 Feb!

Check his MySpace page out to have a listen and read his biog.

Tickets are available in person at Zac's Place (07971 218644) or from Linden Church 01792 403777.

Christmas Tradition...

Thought it would be good to share a few images from the Christmas Day Dinner we held at Zac's Place. We hosted around 25 friends from the local community - many street homeless, others in housing crisis. Our thanks to all those that helped on that day and boxing day to these special times of 'belonging' - it was a precious time indeed.

It is also a time when we remember that the first invited guests on the scene at the birth of Christ as a baby were 'shepherds' - they probably had no voting rights and were not trusted enough to give evidence in court. We consider this kind of deliberate inclusion, a tradition worth continuing. Below are some pics of some of the most famous people I know - famous because God talks about them all the time.

My thanks to everyone who has supported, shown interest and added to the Zac's Place chaos over this past year - my love and prayers for God's blessing and peace into this new year.
(We continue to provide breakfast on weekday morining in partnership with The Wallich and also provide a hot meal on thursday evenings for Swansea's rough sleepers - volunteers always wanted!)

In Haste

Only seems like yesterday was travelling back from the heat of Australia, but was actually weeks ago. After several weeks of multiple sickness in our household am now getting stuff together for the additional meals for the homeless on Christmas Day and Boxing Day at Zac's HQ. (Do breakfast each weekday morning and a meal Thurs eve regularly).

Been a busy few weeks at Zac's - great to open the huge baptistry to see it used by us for the first time, as Denise took the big step of a public declaration of her faith in Christ. Love the symbolism of a full immersion baptism - death to life, washing clean, .......

Great to have two top gigs booked already for 2008 - Bryn Haworth and Martyn Joseph.

...Also been on the road - Manchester and my home town of Reading. I still help run a huge charity ride I founded with some mates 22 years ago and bring a 'reflection' to the thousand or so that take part. (www.readingtoyrun.org)

Doing the BBC and ITV news interviews................

---

Anyway, I'll leave these Bruce Cockburn lyrics with you as something to reflect on:

Like a stone on the surface of a still river
Driving the ripples on forever
Redemption rips through the surface of time
In the cry of a tiny babe

No Room At The Inn?

So why was Jesus born at such a busy time of year? Surely God should have realised the shops would be busy and the sales wouldn't start 'til January!

The fact is, even 2000 years ago Jesus was born at a hectic time. Countless families were on the move to go to the place of their birth to take part in a population census. It wasn't usually a problem getting a bed for the night in Bethlehem, but as the heavily pregnant girl, Mary, knocked on the doors of guest houses looking for rest, she got turned away each time. No room. Eventually shelter was found out the back in some shared accommodation with the livestock - at least it would have been warm.

I struggle with Christmas - in the main because I think good will and peace to all men came and was banished to the shit house out the back. I don't think much has really changed. For most in the middle classes, it's an excuse for excess to the extreme, for others it's when poverty and loneliness become accentuated to the extreme. Occasionally they meet, and exchange pleasant greetings.

As the story is re-told, with varying forms of accuracy and sincerity I am reminded that the birth of Christ took place on the margins of society. He didn't enter humanity in the mainstream - his story became an experience of exclusion as he began his life as a homeless refugee. Maybe we can take heart from that though.

The Christmas message is about God entering our world in the frailty of humanity. Maybe God is still on the side of the rejected and the lonely.

Happy Christmas? Maybe, maybe not. Here's wishing you God's gift of grace and peace whatever the coming days and events bring.

Cheers and God bless ya.

First degree murder by Dark Country.

How many Zac's Place related folk can you unearth in this moody shoot....?

Julia Harris - Live at Zac's Place

Here's another glimpse from the benefit gig back in April '07 with a performance from Julia Harris. Enjoy.

Klong Toey, Bangkok via Melbourne, Newcastle & Launceston

My recent visit to Australia which included God’s Squad’s 35th anniversary celebrations in Melbourne and other engagements in New South Wales and Tasmania, with John Smith and Sammy Horner, saw me take the opportunity to return home via a slum community in Bangkok.

The several hour stopover at Bangkok airport gave me enough time to go through immigration and get a cab into the city of bizarre extremes and visit friends in Klong Toey - a slum community of many thousands on port authority land over looked by huge commercial blocks. I have visited the area twice before. Thousands upon thousands of people live in semi-ordered community of shacks and some more permanent dwellings on and over the mud flats of the Port Authority. Flooding is therefore common and as I saw first hand so is the risk of fire.

The reason for my return visit was to see the good folk of UNOH (Urban Neighbours of Hope), whose pioneering work in their home of Melbourne saw them move to Klong Toey some years ago to live and serve amid the community there. Amid the sights, the stench of open sewers, the aroma of spicy thai food being cooked on every corner, there is also the fragrance of Christ permeating through these narrow walkways partially covered by tin roofs and linked with precarious bridges across the river.

The river itself boasts of life itself - to my amazement fish survive amid the sewage and below the film of slime. The dogs are everywhere but are silent and the radiance of the Thai smile beams from faces working away from dark spaces inside their small home.

I don’t recall any other place where people smile so freely - I was keen to reciprocate as I was acutely aware that after my first visit Rod’s young Thai friends warned him after I had left that I was probably a drug dealer. Before I met with Rod this time I was more aware of the quizzical stares as this white, bearded, long haired, tattooed ‘farang’ entered their neighbourhood. I hoped that my broad smile would speak the words I could not.

Rod had moved to a different unit since my last visit and his place was also home to several others - including a young couple and their baby daughter and a haven to others who had been victims of hostile gang behaviour. The work of the Community Centre thrives - Ash was in NZ, but Anji was busy sorting jewellery made by local ladies which UNOH sells overseas and therefore provides a salary for several families. Not wanting to keep them from work, I had a coffee from their street stall - Starbucks coffee beans no less, (which also provides another wage), I left Rod to continue packing boxes of ‘Free Burma’ T-shirts - printed locally and for sale in Oz at a UNOH event.

I wandered back through the narrow passage ways seeing hard working smiling faces on my way back towards the chaos of the city streets -huge Mercedes billboards providing shelter for those with no home, buses crammed full, tuk-tuks loaded with produce, small motorcycles everywhere, policeman bribing who they can and further on towards the lights westerners empty journey for temporal intimacy finds solace of the young and pretty.
As I journey back to the vast new airport in a cab, bartering with the driver for a fare, once again the land of smiling faces, amid desperate poverty and bizarre extremes leaves a lasting impression.

To learn more about the work of UNOH please visit: http://www.unoh.org and the handicrafts can be found here http://www.allyearround.com.au/unoh/

SCRAMBLED EGG CHURCH

I was recently asked to conduct a few lectures for students at Cliff College in the Peak District. The Bible College has Methodist roots and I had made connections with the Principal, Martin Atkins, and an American lecturer, Ron Willoughby, back in 2004 at the Lausanne Forum in Thailand.

I was asked to speak with specific reference to Mission and the Emerging Church. Often when talking about the evolution of Zac's Place, over the past nine years, I use some illustrations which I think best describe what is going own - many of these I've never written down, I just tell them as stories. Zac's is being discussed at many levels as a possible expression of the emerging church. Some think it's the spawn of the devil, others including Rowan Williams, have come into bat for us. To be honest, I have shyed away from getting into too many discussions and forums about it all - mainly because being involved at ground level is so time consuming, never mind have time to write a book on it all and go to endless conferences and forums.

Of two things I am certain though; something special is happening and it's not rocket science.

I have grown up within a church culture that likes things clearly defined. It's been important to know who's in and who's out for example. What theological boxes do you tick and what box can we place someone in. Several years ago it became clear that Zac's Place was very messy around the edge and over a simple lunch it became clearer! Where many church communities tend to be like a boiled egg or a fried egg on toast, where the edges are clearly defined - there's a yellow bit, a white bit - you can see the line that separates them and another edge onto the toast. It's safe, presentable and neat. Zac's however is most definitely more like scrambled egg on toast. There's yellow bits and white bits all mashed in together, it's cooked, it tastes good and it nourishes, but the edge of anything, even the toast and plate is almost impossible to find.








I thinks there's probably at least two kinds of emerging church. There's the ones that emerge from the established mainstream who take much of the familiar with it's clearly defined edges into an unfamiliar environment. Then there are those that emerge from the street, which are messy and unpredictable............now where's the brown sauce.

(For a little more history about Zac's Place see the main website Zac's Place section)

TEMPLE TANTRUM

Currently at the Tuesday night Tribal Gatherings, we are going through John's Gospel. The second part of chapter two, sees the narrative of Jesus throwing a tantrum in the Temple - caused a right rumpous it did - money, tables and feathers eveywhere. Religious folk asking JC to justify his actions and come up with a miracle to prove his authority on the matter completely missed the point.

The bottom line is that God has always wanted a connection with people. This temple and the sacrifices that were offered there was the accepted way at the time in Jerusalem - there was even a special area where non Jews could enter and pray. It was in this area traders had set up selling even the cheapest animals for sacrifice at extortionate prices that the poor could hardly pay for. It was where the money changers exchanged foreign curency, at very high rates, into the temple acceptable local currency of those pilgrims from further afield. The Priests turned a blind eye to all this going on. This was about dishonesty, exploitation and hypocrisy of the highest degree and Jesus was seriously pissed off about it.

Ordinary folk, some who made lengthy, difficult journeys, non-religious folk wanting to reach out to God and sincere poor worshippers were being denied the opportunity to connect with God because the religious expression of the day turned a blind eye to injustice and greed on it's doorstep. I can't help thinking this sounds horribly familiar.

JOHN SMITH / MARTYN JOSEPH

As expected a great night had by all - Smithy was on form taking various characters from the Bible, (Samson, Peter, John the Baptist amongst them) and bringing them to life in all their human frailty delivering both a hope and challenge. MJ as ever brought the perfect songs, questions and stories for the occasion. Both he and I reflected how over two decades ago John's preaching drastically reshaped the way we saw the world and understood our faith.

Was disappointed a little with the turn out, but I think that's a Swansea thing generally! If you weren't there - you missed out big time!

John and Glena then headed for home in Melbourne via the slums in Bangkok to see mutual friends Ash and Anji Barker who work there. Martyn takes his excellent new album 'Vegas' on the road this autumn (Narberth and Cardiff dates for South Wales - end of October). I visited a mate on the way home from Heathrow, having dropped John and Glena off, on the Mon who's seriously ill with various strains of cancer - was a touching moment when he handed me a photo of himself, signing the back of it 'love ya mate' - I still hope to see him a few more times yet. Questions and hope still permiate, do battle and linger......just as Martyn remembers Smithy asking twenty years ago,'why didn't Jesus visit John the Baptist in prison?'

JOHN SMITH AT ZAC'S PLACE

My Aussie mate and mentor returns to the UK soon and will be speaking at Zac's on Sun eve 9 Sep, 2007. Doors open from 7.30pm

Expect a challenging message, we'll have some live music from special guest, Martyn Joseph and I'll do my best to hold it all together.......

Who invited you anyway?

In our regular Tuesday Night Tribal Gatherings, which continue to attract a regular crowd of believers and seekers alike, we have been looking at some of the Parables of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. Diverse life experiences, journeys of faith and opinion all colour what are usually lively times of honest discussion and study. Everyone may speak and everyone is made to feel welcome. Looking at the parable of the Banquet in Luke 14 served as a timely reminder to ‘keep going’ - the over looked and ignored should not be left out of a place at the table, either in our homes, our churches or indeed in heaven itself. Hospitality shouldn’t be shown on the basis of what may be received in return - that is in essence what the Gospel of Grace is all about. We take our place at the ‘table of the Lord’ not by some divine right, following on the heals of another or because we got lucky. We take our place because as Frederich Beuchner writes, ‘the party wouldn’t have been complete without us’ - God himself invites us. Who are to judge who is more or less deserving a place at the same table feeding on a feast of such delicacies as mercy, grace, justice and love?

‘I was hungry and you fed me, 
   I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, 
   I was homeless and you gave me a room, 
   I was shivering and you gave me clothes, 
   I was sick and you stopped to visit, 
   I was in prison and you came to me..........
.............. 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' (Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 25)

Getting back to 'normal'

Zac's Place is gradually getting back to 'normal' after the burglary and insurance work, (New door plus a fancy roller shutter) plus a few bits and bobs of maintenance, (four major holes in the ceiling now repaired). I have to use the term 'normal' in it's broadest sense, because the very core of most of what goes on is quite unpredictable. Breakfast and Coffee bar work among the homeless and vulnerable is back fully functioning - although there's concern for 'dancing Kenny' who's not been seen for about five weeks. S is going into rehab and it was a precious moment to pray for him before he departs Swansea. Last Tuesday's Tribal Gathering was more informal than normal as we had some food together celebrating the completion of the last series of studies! Lorraine came down and shared a few poignant songs amid a gathering which included numerous going through real heartache. Next week we'll begin looking at some of the parables of Jesus. This coming week also sees Jems Drama School's annual production - weds, thurs and fri. Lots of extra work in the venue and lots of people coming through - and 45 children performing each night under the direction of my Jayne. I continue to be humbled by the profound impact such 'ordinaryness' can have when looked through the eyes of the searching, the lonely and the lost.