News

The first study weekend for the CHIPS Fellowship took place at Mark and Tamsin Cuthbert’s home in Birmingham on 18-19 November 2006.

We followed a loose timetable, beginning on Saturday morning with a time to introduce ourselves to each other. We then made shared agreements about our time together and had a short time of prayer. Those present were Mark and Tamsin Cuthbert, Tom Baker, Jane Gibbs, Jamie Bird, Ken Gichu, Andrew and Rebecca Cuthbert, and Georges and Lydia Kisombola.

Reflecting on the weekend

Recently purchased borehole maintenance equipment is now being put to use to enable Karimojong and Iteso communities in the vicinity of Namendera and Okoboi to maintain and repair their boreholes.

CHIPS Well Technician Peter Ejongu helping to repair the borehole in Namendera (Sep 2006)

In the past, half of the boreholes in the area have often been non-operational at any one time due to a lack of maintenance, spare parts and knowledge of borehole repair. This means that thousands of people in the area often have to rely on dirty surface water sources.

Seventeen of those of us interested in being part of the CHIPS Fellowship of Peacemakers met up last Saturday at Greenbelt. Although cut short by a downpour, we had a good time of introducing ourselves and talking about the way ahead for the group.

You're never too young to be a peacemaker - Grace Cuthbert in the Peace Zone at Greenbelt

We decided to meet on a weekend in the next few months and to begin with an overview of a biblical understanding of peace and the experience/approach of CHIPS. The idea is that we mix up theology/bible study with practical examples, methodologies and case studies, aswell as some worship, each time we meet and that people from the group contribute as they feel they want to in terms of leading as well as participating in sessions.

The Ugandan Government and the Lord's Resistance Army have recently signed a truce aimed at ending the 20 year conflict in the north of Uganda which has killed thousands and displaced more than one million people.

For more details from the BBC click here. For a different slant to that of the BBC about why the ICC should withdraw indictments against the top LRA leaders click here.

This is obviously encouraging news.

CHIPS will be part of the Peace Zone at Greenbelt between 25th-28th August 2006. This will also be the first gathering of those interested in forming a CHIPS Fellowship of Peacemakers.

If you would like to camp with us or meet up over the weekend please get in please contact Mark or Tamsin at the CHIPS office.

See www.greenbelt.org.uk for more info about Greenbelt and how to book.

The new logo includes a symbol designed to capture something of the reality of CHIPS’ work: to convey peace, life and hope growing within the harsh reality of violence and suffering.

The green leaf is not overcome as it breaks through the barbed wire symbolising the breaking of the cycle of violence. The ring of barbed wire is reminiscent of the crown of thorns reminding us of the identification of God with mankind, his making peace through Jesus, and of the call to be prepared to share in his suffering for the sake of his Kingdom of peace and justice.

I left for a seven week visit to Uganda at the start of April, initially spending a few days in Kampala with Tamsin’s cousin and family. Travelling north I picked up the sense of frustration of the people towards Museveni’s government in terms of a lack of commitment to the people of Northern Uganda to do what is necessary for peace, security, relief and development.

I eventually reached Iriiri which is a small village trading centre near the Karamoja-Teso border where most of the team are currently staying in temporary accomodation (two of the team are living at the north end of the border in the new base at Okoboi).

Meeting with villagers who are currently living in internally displaced people (IDP) camps to see how CHIPS can support them in returning to their land in Okoboi to cultivate and rebuild

Some people don't know when to stop! Having completed the sprint distance London Triathlon last summer for CHIPs raising over £2000, Jo Winn-Smith (Caroline's sister-in-law) decided to go one step further and undertake that ultimate of challenges - the London Marathon...

Made it!

We are in the process of drawing together a small group of people who want to deepen their understanding and experience of Christian peacemaking to form the CHIPS Fellowship of Peacemakers.

A Service of Thanksgiving for 40 years of CHIPS was celebrated on Monday 13th March 2006, when around 140 people gathered at St Jude’s Community Church in West London. We were there to give glory to God for the variety of ways in which we have seen God’s love in action through the reconciliation and development work of CHIPS.

A stunning banner, symbolising many of the Christ-like principles on which CHIPS is built, was processed into the church and from there the story of CHIPS unfolded through testimony and talks, Bible readings, hymns and prayers. The 26 people taking part represented those who knew CHIPS through 31 Green Street, Tottenham and Brixton, CHIPS Team Members and volunteers from Cyprus, Philippines and Uganda, and those who have been inspired by CHIPS more recently.