'And I've pitched my tent in a land of hope' Acts 22: 25-26
What a gorgeous invitation to set up a prayer tent at a local community event run by Bonny Downs Community Association. An event designed to be a creative exploration of hope in hopeless places. Opening with the East Ham voices community choir singing ‘I want to cross over into Jordan…..my home a place of safety’. We heard from Anji Barker and her tales of working in the extreme material poverty of the slums of Bankok. Philippa King spoke of her art – which are essentially collections of rubbish and an invitation to look from a different angle….and lo! the rusty nail, twisted wire or shard of glass is a beautiful object!...and with that everyone was encouraged to join one of the tables around the room to explore their own response to finding hope through the myriad of art materials laid out.
‘I trusted in God, I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic! And I’ve pitched my tent in a land of hope’ Acts 22: 25-26.
And in the corner of the room I sat in the tent which glittered with fairy lights, comfy with cushions and throws, a candle burning softly. A gentle space for time out, for a prayer or a tear.
And the room spoke to me of all the elements of sacred activism.
The first movement is that we listen. We listen to the cries of the poor, the marginalised, the oppressed. We listen to the experience of those who have engaged, learning from those who have trod the path before us.
The second movement is that we reflect. In prayer, in meditation, in stillness…whatever term we use for allowing ourselves space to sit with what we have heard and for God to be in the mix.
And thirdly we respond – for us on Saturday it was creatively through art. At other times this may be by more actively engaging in the need that we witness.
By going through these movements we engage all of ourselves – head, heart and hara. Our response is fulsome and informed – ‘from the inside out’!
And so, the room hummed with hope.