Dear Friends 

My thoughts recently have been very much on the riots in our cities. Words can fail us when we think of the senseless tragedy of it all: so many people hurt by it, including the perpetrators themselves.

We need to find out more about what caused the riots. This does not mean we are justifying them, or excusing them, rather we need to learn from these experiences and bring hope to lives for the future. The reasons for the riots will be complex, one factor being the psychological effects of the mob and the gang.

Unitarians have traditionally emphasised the need to 'think for yourself' and this is coupled with a concern for the needs of others and for the needs of our larger society. It was a moving sight to hear Tariq Jahan, a Muslim, who had just so tragically lost his son in the disturbances in Birmingham – call for calm - no further bloodshed, no damaging revenge. It was spoken from the heart and it addressed the needs of others and the needs of society in that situation.

When thinking of the riots, I will not forget this moving call for peace from a bereaved father. It touched upon our deepest values.

 From June