'A garden that's bursting into life?'

I was recently interviewed by a guy who is conducting some research into the development surrounding London’s 2012 Olympic adventure. Focussing on the much talked about regeneration promised to accompany the mammoth Olympic project Rob’s question was whether or not the games represent ‘an expensive short-term necessity or a long-term sustainable legacy?’

As a 'representative community leader', alledgely with my ear to the ground and my eyes wide open, he thought I might have a view?!

Acknowledging that for us regeneration was about renewal, new life and energy I shared our concerns that it couldn't just be about moving the 'less desirable' members of our communities out (compulsory re-location of Clays Lane Housing Co-operative) to make room for flash new housing and opportunities for the influx of affluent new residents - that's not renewal, it's displacement and it's anything but long-term or sustainable.

Ultimately time will tell how the Olympic dream shapes Stratford and the surrounding area, but Rob hasn't been the only person to get us thinking about regeneration and renewal. I mean even Snow Patrol when they're out 'Chasing Cars' sing about wanting to see 'a garden that's bursting into life'.

We believe we were given a similar biblical picture of the kind of renewal we were to be part of during our time in E15. It centres upon words written by the prophet Isaiah a few years ago...

'Wilderness and desert will sing joyously,
the badlands will celebrate and flower —
Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom,
a symphony of song and color.
Mountain glories of Lebanon—a gift.
Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon—gifts.
God's resplendent glory, fully on display.
God awesome, God majestic.
Energize the limp hands,
strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls,
"Courage! Take heart!
God is here, right here,
on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs.
He's on his way! He'll save you!"

Blind eyes will be opened,
deaf ears unstopped,
Lame men and women will leap like deer,
the voiceless break into song.
Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness,
streams flow in the desert.
Hot sands will become a cool oasis,
thirsty ground a splashing fountain.
Even lowly jackals will have water to drink,
and barren grasslands flourish richly.

There will be a highway
called the Holy Road.
No one rude or rebellious
is permitted on this road.
It's for God's people exclusively—
impossible to get lost on this road.
Not even fools can get lost on it.
No lions on this road,
no dangerous wild animals—
Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
The people God has ransomed
will come back on this road.
They'll sing as they make their way home to Zion,
unfading halos of joy encircling their heads,
Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness
as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night.'

Entitled 'The Voiceless Break into Song' this passage (Chapter 35) seems packed full of wonderful imagery of the kind of transformation that communities of loving defiance should be part of. What does this look like locally? For us, it means..

..ensuring that commitments are kept and Ethel gets the much promised wheelchair that will liberate her from her house-bound captivity.

...supporting a young family facing the spectre of AIDS.

...listening to those hurt by an uncaring and impersonal form of institutional church while hopefully offering and modelling an alternative.

...writing letters, providing references, and going to court to stand 'shoulder-to-shoulder' with Paul as he desperately struggles to keep his life back on track post-prison.

...sharing a grace-filled rather than a hate-fuelled, message of hope with homosexual friends.

...offering an alternative community for Greg who for most of his life only found acceptance and affirmation amidst the drug-fuelled and violent world of biker gangs.

Is this this kind of regeneration that Isaiah was writing about? Will this prove to be part of a 'short-term necessity or a long-term legacy'?

I guess ultimately, only time will tell, but we're happy trying to do our bit.