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.

Another Typical Week....

Apologies for any that do return here now and again to see if I've joted a note down - it's been a while, and it's also been a little hectic!

Finally, Zac's Place as a venue is now fully functioning again having had the damaged door replaced after the burglary back in February. It has been a lengthy drawn out process. I will endeavour to use my most tactful approach in explaing the frustration and inconvenience this has caused when I next see the two young gentlemen who caused the damage in the first place.

The past week or so has seen me make a 1500 mile 5 day round trip, by bike, to NE Holland and Southern Germany fullfilling some European God's Squad responsibilities. Great to be back riding on the continent - the autobahns of Germany, although much quicker that UK motorways feel much safer, much more disciplined and respectful. Great to be in the company at each destination of very dear Christian brothers and sisters also engaged in admirable missional efforts among the biking communities they engage with. Maybe some pics to follow soon.

24 hours after arriving back I am taking the funeral service of a young man who's parents have had associations with Zac's Place and some of our musician friends. It was difficult to make the arrangements on the road through Europe - I would normally like to spend plenty of time with those grieving in person. Never the less, I was glad to be there on the day and the evening before. The utter emptiness and pain of parents losing their kids and siblings losing a brother is human wounding at it's most raw and most vulnerable. To attempt to bring any words and actions of comfort and hope, for me, need to be utterly dependant of the compassion of Christ himself.

I was very appreciative to Glenn for taking the lead at our Zac's Bible study following the funeral - despite him also having to take one the following day too.

Finally by Wednesday I was able to catch up properly with my own family & jobs at home. The following two days were spent up an 8 metre scaffold with Glenn in the main hall of Zac's Place making some long overdue repairs on the ceiling - which continue into this week.



Sometimes I get asked, usually by writers or journalists, what does a typical week look like. Diverse is perhaps an understatement.

Royal Mail Incompetence

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Due to the apparent incompetence of Royal Mail, it would appear that mail to our PO Box address, (Exousia Trust, Box 437, Reading, RG30 3DF), during this year has not been getting delivered to us. As of 23 May, 2007 this matter is under investigation and is a very sorry state of affairs. It is quite probable that any cheques, letters and orders for merchandise may not have arrived. If you are in any doubt that something you have mailed to us has not arrived, please contact us asap on 07971 218644. Many thanks. Royal Mail can expect a seriously snotty letter, assuming it arrives.....

BIG ISSUE CYMRU FEATURE

This week, Tue 8 May, sees a two page interview in the Big Issue Cymru - not seen it yet and I was very tired when I was interviewed so it could go either way . . . . . watch this space. Get your copy and support a local vendor.

God's Squad

Regular visitors to Zac's Place will only be too aware that it also serves as the Euro HQ for God's Squad Christian Motorcycle Club, of which I am a founder UK member. The UK chapter had our 'National Run' starting at Zac's 2 weeks ago before heading north - here's a few video clips to give you some more of an idea behind the 'Squad' images displayed in the venue.

By way of an update regarding the recent break-in at Zac's - things should be back to normal, (having had to put most regular third party use on hold since mid January), within the next two weeks after a lengthy period of waiting on the insurance company.....

BENEFIT GIG SUCCESS

Live music has always been an important part of the foundation of Zac's Place. The Gig last Friday night, an excuse for a belated 40th birthday bash for me and a fundraiser for the Trust, underlined the exceptional standard we have set for ourselves over the years. It really was a magical night, with ten artists taking part bringing a beautiful blend of acoustic styles.

Phil James kicked things off. Phil's been receiving a lot more radio play in recent years, but his performances have always been firm favourites for the Zac's audiences. Rob Ash joined him with some great guitar work and did some of his own stuff too. They also dueted Tom Petty's 'Won't Back Down' which is a real fave of mine. Julia Harris demonstarted why she's getting so much attention, whilst Mike Toulcher emerged as Swansea's best kept secret as a songwriter delivering two great piano based songs. Allen McCarthy - small guy - HUGE voice and two fantastic songs including the Zac's CD track, Waterfalls. Bill and Rachel Taylor-Beales were joined by Karen Chalk for additional flute/keys and vox and performed a six beautifully moving songs from a combination of Rachel's Brilliant Blue album, Bill's forthcoming Scratch The Sky plus Dylan's 'Shelter from the Storm'. Lorraine King, my original co-founder of Zac's together with my wife, Jayne, as usual worked brilliantly together for four tracks and finished the night with Phil James & Rob Ash performing 'Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For'.

About a hundred people crammed into the venue, travelling from Belfast, Leicester, Manchester, Exeter and beyond, creating an intimate atmosphere and thoughrally enjoyed what was a great night of superb live music...

Thankyou to everyone who played, helped, came and gave - your support was and is much appreciated, especially as the Trust will benefit to the tune of around £2000 as a result of the gig. THANK YOU

Easter Bunny Get's Slaughtered On Rubbish Dump

I started this blog around this time last year with an Easter reflection. A chaotic lifestyle leaving little time for marshalling thoughts into an ordered fashion to share with the expactant few, is a little frustrating to say the least.

As we approach Easter time, the lead up has continued to be hectic and I know I will struggle to find much space to truly reflect on this glorious celebration of reunion of creator and created. Amid all the Easter imagery of the butchered and bleeding Christ in various states of undress we can still be missing the greatest pain of all. 'Why have you forsaken me?' The pain of the severing and separation of the Father and the Son renders the brutal physical torture and humiliation of Christ a mere stubbed toe on the redemption journey. One day, maybe one day we'll fully appreciate it.

Breaking down of relationships at any level is a painful experience. Just this past few days and weeks one of my kids has experienced bullying and I believe a betrayal of trust from friends. How hard it is to see the disappointment and pain in a young life. But how sweet it is, to see signs of reconcilaition, apology, forgiveness.......

At Zac's Place on Tuesday night half the group has been looking at the New Testament letter of Paul's to the Ephesians. One of the reminders in these pages is that the non-jews, the non religious, were as welcome in God's family as anyone - the curtain separating the holy from the not so holy in the temple was torn in two on that crucifixion night. The way continues to be open for the religious and non-religious, the hurting and the lost, the betrayed and belittled, the bullied and the thug........

Happy Easter? Depends how grateful you are I guess.

BONO SAYS READ IT!

Back in 1988, on my second read through of John Smith’s ‘On The Side Of The Angels’, I just knew, both John, (who at the time I’d never met) and God’s Squad would have a significant part to play in my life - here we are nearly two decades on as I head up God’s Squad in Europe and was ordained by John several years ago! What’s more, his story and the challenges regarding mission, church, the arts and justice made a huge impact on me then (and still do) and made a massive contribution in ‘sorting my head out’ when a lot of things seemed very confusing. ‘On The Side’ has been out of print for a number of years now, but has now been republished in Australia with an updated chapter and pictures including references to our work, musicians Sammy Horner, Martyn Joseph & also U2. We have the only supply of these new books available for sale in this country at moment, for £10 plus £2 p+p. Just drop us a note, (Exousia Trust, PO Box 437, Reading, RG30 3DF), with a cheque payable to ‘Exousia Trust’ and we’ll be glad to send one. (If the price seems a little high it’s because of the shipping costs from Australia).

"Truly a preacher to the convertible .. John Smith's message is for people who want to do more than just listen" - Bono, U2.

Drama Queens

Zac's Place is used by several third party groups - Swansea Drugs Project, Youth Offending Team, Community Lives Consortium and Jems Drama School - which Jayne, my wife, runs. Was particularly proud of her and the Jems Youth Theatre Company this week. The girls performed a recent exam piece called 'True Colours' at a local arts event at the Dylan Thomas Centre and received huge acclaim!! It's a moving piece that Jayne wrote with them about an asylum seeker trying to settle into a new life. Bullying at school for scars and eating disorders all featured in the dialogue which was based around Cyndi Lauper's song True Colours. Two of the girls were also able the following day to give a very good interview for Swansea Bay Radio who's Karen Vincent was blown away by the performance on Weds night.

aaaggghhhh!!

Mobile phones have become a necessary evil. There's one particular caller ID I really dislike seeing come up on my phone's display trying to get through. It's my 'office'. It can only mean one of two things. Either we have some how miraculously managed to finance an assistant for me who happens to be calling me from the office - which on this occasion was highly unlikely, as it was Saturday evening and the money box is empty anyway. This leaves the only other option, that being the burglar alarm at Zac's has been activated and a recorded message is about to tell me so. Great - I'm 150 miles from Swansea, on the bike and it's belting down with rain.

By the time I get back having battled the elements, the gaping hole that used to be a door is being boarded up, scene of crime have done their thing and we work out what's missing. Fortunately, not much - but cctv and the process of elimination means the theft was probably carried out by two of our 'familair friends'. But a week of disrupted activity at Zac's beckons due to a lack of available exit and another insurance claim for another trashed door. (A different door was put in a few weeks back.) City Centre Mission, it's a wonderful thing!

Father Paul Bennett's Murder

I, like many, am shocked to hear of the tragic death of Father Paul Bennett, a vicar in the South Wales Valleys community of Trecynon near Aberdare yesterday. Apparently stabbed to death after answering his door to a local resident and in the company of his watching family. My heart goes out to them, it really does.

There once was time where it was common place for Church leaders to be slaughtered or punished for what they believed and stood for, (I say 'once was a time', but it does still occur in many countries - possibly more so than ever before - we just don't hear about it, China, Vietnam.......). We do not know the reason at this early stage why he was targetted, so for now we can only speculate.

In my experience as a minister, although in a slighlty different context, I don't think we should be surprised. Nor do I think anyone engaged in a pastoral community ministry will be. The vast majority of people are appreciateive of your efforts, particularly those most vulnerable. But innevitably there are those with issues with God and his representatives and the local vicar will always be a potential target. The fact that his home is often expected to be open house makes him or her all the more vulnerable.

On the couple occasions I have taken a beating - one such occasion included token punches and kicks as punishment for the 'sins of others' in ministry who had been exposed as abusers of trust. That issue was nothing to do with me - infact it was a headline story from another country that maybe hit close to home with this particular chap and his pals, and I and my mates were easy pickings.

Time will tell and maybe the truth will come out as to why Father Paul has been stabbed to death. Whatever the reasons are, they won't erase the pain and heartache for his family - my prayers will be for them.

For me there remains a challenge and a balancing act. The call of ministry, committment to God, serving unpredicatable people, speaking up for justice................. and protecting your family.

Pinball

It often feels like I collide with each day, buffetting around in a pinball machine of clatters and rattles. Lots of stuff happens. Sometimes you can recall milestone marks. Sometimes it's a blur.

This past week has been has been the usual chaos, but it's also been a week of my 40th birthday, our 15th wedding anniversary and the birth of our fourth child. The family continues to be the place where all the stuff you share on the road and among those seeking your words and ear is grounded.

If love and grace aint real there, I find it hard to talk about it else where. This week it is truly good to celebrate with those closest - who often pay the highest price - who love and give the most.

Zac's Place Benefit Gig

Join us for what will be a night of exceptional live acoustic music - watch this space for more artists added to the line up...in the meantime check out the myspace pages for music previews...

JESUS LOVES PORNSTARS.....

I'm pretty skeptical about obscure US based mission initiatives, but we'd had some corresponence via our myspace site about a Michigan based set up engaging in a mission initiative at porn festivals and others within that huge industry. Most of the complaints they get are from Christians - that sounds familiar!!!! I'll leave the text at that but include this youtube interview with Martin Bashir asking the questions and let you make your own mind up......

SAMMY HORNER'S VISIT

It was grerat to have Sammy around at Zac's for a few days this past week. The Sun night gig went well as did the impromtu one at Tues nights Tribal Gathering. Managed to squeeze in a radio interview for Swansea sound, for broadcast this Sunday morneing with Kev John's Heart & Soul Show and Sammy also managed to share a few song with some of the lads on 'A' wing in Swansea Jail.

Celtic music and traditions came with a breath of fresh air, accompanied with reminders or worship with the '5 stringed harp' - symbolizing that we can worship God with all of the senses we are given - which if like me you have a terrible singing voice - there's room for a whole range of creative expression.

I'll aim to put a live track up from the Sun night gig on our myspace page as soon as I can and also keep you posted when we have Sammy's new album 'Songs for the Sick and Tired' in stock. The advance copy I have listened to is great and will be an encouraging listen for many Zaccers.

Also managed to take a few new promo shots of Sammy at Zac's in a spare hour - here's another two of them....

The only reason I stick around is to see what happens next

There's a sign I've seen around that goes something like; 'I've been spat at, beat up, thrown up on, sworn at, abused & wrongly accused - infact, the only reason I stick around is to see what happens next.' It can be a bit like that at Zac's Place sometimes.



It's a been rough few weeks at the beginning of this new year for those making provision for the rough sleepers and street drinkers. A couple of isolated violent incidents make it difficult for everyone - the clients, the neighbours and the volunteers. One of the doors was smashed in in a different incident - probably an attempted opportunist break in.

Grace and forgiveness is a foundation of who we are. So is the protection of those others coming into Zac's. The hard facts of putting that into practice is not easy, especially when the voice of reason doesn't get much of a look in. The up shot is we either be walked all over, close the operation down at the expense of those who appreciate all the help that is given or we attempt to place those causing the problems on a ban for a set period of time. We've opted for the latter. How that will be received remains to be seen.

The reality is that the destructive pattern of behaviour fuelled by alcohol and drug abuse, brought on initially by a myriad of circumstances, has a very ugly face - finding the balence in a Jesus like response is often a struggle. No one more than he knows what it is to walk amid chaos into the middle ground of everyday life.

SAMMY HORNER Gig, Sun 11 Feb.

Celtic singer / songwriter Sammy Horner returns to Zac's on his solo tour, which has the working title of 'Songs for the Sick & Tired'! Sammy is an excellent performer on many levels - whether it be with his punked up celtic combo, 'The Electrics' or with his more reflective acoustic material. His wit and warmth make a great connection and I'm looking forward to having him around for a couple of days.

He's a friend, colleague and if he lived near Swansea would be a 'Zaclican' too! So put the word out - Sun 11 Feb from 7.30pm at the Zac's Place HQ in Swansea.



See Sammy's myspace pages at http://www.myspace.com/sammyhorner

It's Not Every Day You Meet The US President

Over thirty years ago I stood, with my parents, amid crowds of people spectating the commissioning of the humungous US Aircraft Carrier, 'Nimitz' at Norfolk Naval base Virginia. Making his way through the crowds was stand-in President, Gerald Ford who was filling the boots of a disgraced Nixon ousted the previous year in '74. Ford died this week. I didn't know much about him when he stopped and commented on my obvious out of place English accent and shook my hand. Reading some of the comments in the papers and in the obituaries there is a breath of fresh air with regard to that famous office.

He never did get elected in '77, some would say it was because he 'pardoned' Nixon, (or maybe it was a dodgy trade off?). But this action won praise from his former chief of staff Dick Cheney as he commented; (Ford) "was almost alone in understanding that there can be no healing without pardon."

In an age when votes are bought with short term goals and ego's fuelled with wars that aren't our own, oh to have politicians remembered for marks of healing and for forgiveness.

Russell Grant On Acid?

As expected it's been a busy few weeks both on the road and at Zac's Place. The combination of heartaches and celebrations of the previous week went well and further emphasize the the diversity of ministry to the margins.

The recent series at Zac's on tues nights looking at the 'main players' in the Christmas narrative have endorsed this emphasis too. Particularly with reference to the Shepherds and the Magi. The Shepherds genericly were wholly untrustworthy - you will have bought your sacrificial lamb from them but nothing else. Their evidence wasn't even admissable in court. The Magi, (and it doesn't say how many there were), were a mixture of Russell Grant and Patrick Moore possibly on camels, (maybe acid?) - but more importantly they were foreigners - they were gentiles. So there we have it. All encompassing from day one. Closely followed by a massacre and then seeking asylum in Egypt as a refugee.

What does this mean for us today? Well it should mean Good News to ALL - regardless of status, colour, postion, orientation or religion. We'll keep doing our bit for the revolution - in the meantime we'll be serving up dinner Christmas Day and Boxing Day at Zac's for the local rough sleepers, ..... untrustworthies, ...... mystics

Nadolig Llawen

Loving Connections

Although I'm based at Zac's HQ for many activities and duties during a typical week, it's always good to be away on the road. Yesterday saw a 350 mile round trip to continue involvement in a huge charity motorcycle ride that I helped found 21 years ago in Reading with one of my closest mates, Ben. Despite the absolute deluge of a ride back down the M4 last night, it was good to see well in excess of 1000 bikes take part in the run and around 1500 people bringing gifts to a Barnardo's centre for distribution throughout the south of England. It also brings opportunity to catch up with many mates from back home and also to bring a short Christmas message to the assembled crowd. http://www.readingtoyrun.org will explain more

This coming week will be as diverse as ever with the addition of a wedding in Reading on Sat, a funeral of a 21 year old lad in Swansea who died six weeks ago next Tues followed by the Christmas Tribal Gathering at Zac's in the evening. Many people, different circumstances - I pray for wisdom and the ability with God's help to always make a sincere and loving connection.