Alison Kay was in her 70’s when she read in the local paper about a homeless man whose lifeless body was found under bushes on wasteland in Newcastle. She was so moved and distressed by this story that she decided to do something about it. After months of research and working patiently to build the trust of the homeless people she sought out, she and some friends offered the first People’s Kitchen, under a railway arch – food and a warm fire. Although these were great things to offer, the main need, that the people who came had, was for friendship. That was 1986. The People’s Kitchen now provides meals for hundreds of people and provides many more services besides. All this because one woman turned her compassion into action.

This week I attended the ceremony where the City of Newcastle was formally awarded ‘City of Sanctuary’ status. MCC Newcastle pledged its support for the application and our joint project with MESMAC, Rainbow Home, was listed on the display as one of the agencies contributing to providing sanctuary in the city, as we work with LGBT people seeking asylum in the UK. The idea of City of Sanctuary was started in Sheffield by a man called Inderjit Bhogal. He could see different organisations all working with refugees and wanted to link them together, so that Sheffield could truly say it was a City of Sanctuary. This idea caught on and there are now 30 towns and cities across the UK and beyond who pledge to actively welcome and support those seeking sanctuary. All of this because one man turned his compassion into action.

To feel safe, to feel welcome, to have someone to talk to, to have people around who want to help you and not judge you – these are really basic human needs. Many of us will have felt unsafe, or not welcome or lonely or judged at some points in our lives. Alison and Inderjit both just wanted to make a difference. At the time, neither of them was thinking about developing a whole organisation or a network of cities. They just wanted bring hope and light into the lives of the people whose stories they heard. Throughout our history as MCC Newcastle, we have done the same. We have responded to the stories that we have heard, both within and beyond our congregation. We have offered a safe, warm, welcoming home and a place to just be. This weekend we are re-naming our church. As Northern Lights MCC, we are just proclaiming in our name what we do in reality – we offer hope and light to those who need it. Our new name signifies a public commitment to do this and to continue to turn our compassion into action.

God bless

Cecilia

A Scottish friend and I were talking about de-cluttering. She explained that when her father died, her mother moved house and found it difficult to let go of things. “There was this wee cup with no handle and a chip in it, and I’d say ‘Why are you keeping this?’ and my mum would say “Oh that was a wee present from Mary. I can’t get rid of that”. When my mum died, I found I couldn’t throw out these things either and so my flat is full of her stuff.” This is the challenge isn’t it – what do we take with us and what do we let go of? On Sunday 15th June, we will be renaming our church. We will also be celebrating all our history as MCC Newcastle. In reflecting on our journey so far, we will be able to consider what we want to take forward with us into the future and which things have been valuable and now need to be left to be honoured as part of our past. Doubtless, there will be many funny stories to be told, as people share memories of incidents and individuals. There will also be sad or painful moments as we remember those who have died or difficult times in the life of the congregation. All of the people in the stories and the moments we have shared with them have helped us to become who we are today.

I once observed that the DNA of MCC Newcastle was “fun, music and learning.” These are things that have always been part of who we are. Excellent music is the foundation for our inspiring worship, we socialise and laugh together a lot as a faith community, and we spend time going deeper in our relationship with God by learning more about our faith in different ways. These are some of the things that I know we will take forward as Northern Lights MCC. Many people remark upon how warm and welcoming it is when they first attend worship with us. This is another part of who we are which will not change as we continue to develop and grow.

For all that I hope will stay the same, I also hope for change. I hope that we will do even more to make a difference to those around us, without expectation that they will become part of our faith community. I hope that we will find even more ways of proclaiming God’s inclusive love for all people. I hope that we will be able to find ways of opening up our building to help even more LGBT and related groups to find a home. I also hope that we will find a way to support a project outside the UK and form real relationships with the people that we work with there. We can shine our Northern Lights of hope worldwide if we really want to. What are the aspects of MCC Newcastle that you value and want to see continuing as we become Northern Lights MCC?

God bless

Cecilia