Coming together for peace
It was encouraging to see people coming together to restore order in the aftermath of the riots within our local community.
It was particularly inspiring to see how Facebook and Twitter were used to mobilise people to positive action. Micah is committed to using these media in this way.
Samantha Oliver, Youth Worker, and member of Micah Church spoke of her experience of the London Riots:
"When I saw the riots on TV, I went through a series of emotions, from shock, horror and disbelieve to pity, anger and despair. I wondered what they were thinking - there were children, youth and adults looting, helping themselves to what they knew didn't belong to them. They had all lost their sense of right or wrong. I immediately felt compelled to get out there with other likeminded people in Tottenham. We prayed, sang and cried out to God to bring peace on the streets, which He did. I believe the nation finally came to a standstill because the church came out and claimed territory for God. God and only God can bring peace to a disturbed world."
Following the riots, Samantha has continued on her mission for peace and desire to understand the reasons behind the actions of the last couple of weeks with an aim to bridge a gap between the disaffected youth within our communities and beyond.
On Tuesday 9th August, Samantha was featured speaking about the riots and the youth on the BBC News at Six:
"We've got to come together, we have just got to literally patrol the streets, get the young people...stop them and speak to them."
Psalms 34:14 says:
"Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Well done Samantha! If the community come together, we can make a real difference.
A taste of Caribbean worship
We're fortunate to have a number of Trinidadian artists at Micah to minister to us in song over the coming weeks. This Sunday we're delighted to welcome back Vanessa Briggs, whose urban styled gospel music blends R&B with the rhythms of the Caribbean.
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Vanessa Briggs will perform at Micah on Sunday
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On September 4th, we also have with us three gospel artists from Trinidad, who will be giving us a taste of Caribbean worship. In this week's e-bulletin we present Marvin "Mention" Harrison, who began his 18-year gospel music career following an invitation to a summer camp. His music is rooted in the sound clash lyrical style and is heavily influenced by reggae. The name "Mention" stuck from his habit of rhyming words with the "tion" extension. The word has taken on a whole new meaning: 'to speak God's word'.
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Mention will perform at Micah on September 4th
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