Homecoming a moral dilemma?

[kml_flashembed movie="http://uk.youtube.com/v/cO1HZIR0G5U" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /] HOMECOMING 2009 Very shortly the Scottish Government will launch their big tourist idea for 2009. Its called "The Homecoming". They're hoping for rich exiled Scots to return in their droves next year from all over the world. It might prove to be a more challenging idea than first expected, now that the ecomomic down turn is almost certain to effect the jobs of many people. Personally I can't see Americans making the trip when their stocks and shares portfolios have hit rock bottom. CHURCH AGENDA STRENGTHENED However I do think this is a wonderful opportunity for the churches to connect with their partners in the developing world and invite them to Scotland in 2009. We're hoping to bring over some of our friends from India during 2009. It maybe that the Government doesn't get the tourist trade, but wouldn't it be wonderful if the churches got a spiritual boost from the shear enthusiasm of our Christian brothers and sisters from around the world. Going home isn't always an easy thing. For many there are too many sad memories. Using this theme as a mission statement for the churches may be more challenging that I first thought. However it may do us all the world of good to reflect on the idea of home. At the end of the day I'm convinced that we all want a place, a person, a community, a hope, we can call home. Of course the idea still remains uncomfortable as we think of the hundreds of Scots marooned in cities all over the world, addicted to alcohol and drugs, for them there is no homecoming. Perhaps the churches should be challenging government about such a topic. How could we work together to bring the broken back home. If we can spend Billions on saving the banks maybe we need to be thinking about the cost of saving individuals. GOING HOME ? Going home? He smiled, I wish, but, I've a shift to finish. Going home? I'd need to say sorry I'd never be accepted. There's no room for me I've burnt my bridges Too much has been said Too little done to mend the hurt. Mention home My stomach turns I feel crowded smothered afraid. Which home? My mother's home My father's home I've had many homes. The question unsettles me makes me sad. It reminds me of something I've lost but never had. Faith.

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2 Comments
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Posted By: iTalker   On: 16 Oct 2008   At: 1:04am

Dan,

thank you for your comment. I’m all for making links and partnerships all over the place.

 

However,I think the greater impact could be the Christian legacy of past generations returning to Scotland. If congregations with overseas partners are willing to host them and pay for their visits they could be a great impact for good in this country.

 

As a nation today we are spiritual paupers. To ask the average Scot about Celtic spirituality they might think you were talking about the devotion that some Scots have to a football team.

 

The economic down turn is going to impact on tourism from abroad in a big way. I think churches

could be the hosts to many of their partners from the developing world. However these are not the people that the people from Visit Scotland want, because they will have no money to spend. The Homecoming was predicated on Scots returning home from Canada America and Australia.  I think the partnerships that churches can enter into will undoubtedly be less economically viable

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Posted By: Dan Frydman   On: 15 Oct 2008   At: 10:48am

As a company working with clients who have a stake in Homecoming, I think it’s worth churches partnering with companies and the government in order to promote Scotland’s rich spiritual heritage, from Celtic Christianity through to what the church is doing today to effect the poor and marginalised.

Let’s impact the worldwide Scots diaspora with what is being done here in Christ, so that they can take that home.  Surely there are great riches to share with them.

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