Injustice…what’s your response:ability?
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SPEAK is a Network connecting the emerging generation to campaign and pray on issues of global justice. Through bringing change to situations of injustice we aim to share our faith in our creator: God.
SPEAK combines campaigning and prayer because we believe that they make a powerful combination to bring social transformation. We believe in networking because only together, when acting and praying in unity, can we really make a difference.
Visit the SPEAK site at
www.speak.org.uk
“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
How to follow the Lord in 3 easy steps, right? If you’re anything like me, it’s pretty easy to get stuck at step 1. In order to ‘act justly’ in a world of global economy, free trade, fair trade, corporate abuse, it can seem like the Lord requires a PhD in economics and politics from me as well!
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” These words from Martin Luther King have never been truer. Our generation is part of a society where we depend increasingly on the developing nations to produce our clothes, our food, and we find ourselves unwilling partners to the injustice that is rooted deeply within the economic system. This can leave us all a little hopeless, and wondering, “do I have the ability to challenge injustice?”
Of course, God’s answer is an emphatic ‘yes’! SPEAK is a network of students and young adults who believe the combination of passionate prayer and practical campaigning can address situations of injustice (PhD not required!). Within the network, we’ve been pondering the word ‘responsibility’, and asking a few pertinent questions like, ‘What is our responsibility?’ ‘What abilities has God given us to respond to suffering and injustice?’ ‘How do we truly empower people to take responsibility for our world?’ And we’ll be getting some answers as we gather people together in London at ‘Soundcheck 09’ in February (27th Feb – 1st March)!
Soundcheck is a space to draw out the passion, vision, and prophetic voice of our generation. It’s a space through which we explore Jesus-centred spirituality, and communicate the love of God. It’s a weekend of inspiration, prayer, creativity – and we’d love you to be a part of it. With workshops designed for anyone and everyone to discover their ability to speak up for the oppressed, we’ll seek to debunk the ‘experts’, give accessible info on issues of injustice, focused campaigns and the opportunity to join in with our call for:
• Greater legal accountability of multinational companies in Europe, as part of our Big Dress campaign
● An end to government support and promotion of the arms trade as part of our Counting the Cost campaign
We’ll be joined by Ron Sider, (author of 'Rich Christians in an 'Age of Hunger'), who’ll help us to explore the promises of justice and freedom for the oppressed found in the Bible. Also, on the Saturday night there will be a conscious club night to connect the head and heart with the feet!
If you’d like to come, please see www.speak.org.uk for more details, and you can book by following this link: www.speak.org.uk/who-speak-is/news-and-events/soundcheck-09-responseabil...