Features (July/August 2010)

Auschwitz visit: Illuminating and harrowing
Investing in the future of the world
How did a Hungarian get to Newcastle?

Auschwitz visit: Illuminating and harrowing

They went with a variety of reasons – to remember and to mourn, to learn and to understand, and to share in some small way in the suffering of millions who died at the hands of the Nazis.

But the mixed Jewish and Christian party from the North-East who visited the notorious concentration camp at Auschwitz –Birkenau in Poland came back with one over-riding question in mind: how can history help us tackle the problems of racial and religious discrimination, and prejudice against certain other groups of people in our society, today?

The party was led jointly by Bishop Martin and Rabbi Dovid Lewis of the Orthodox Synagogue in Newcastle, and organised by Lesley Carson, Diocesan Inter-Faith Officer along with members of the local Council of Christians and Jews. Rabbi Lewis explains: “This was a trip devised by Jewish and Christian people working together as a possible forerunner of a multi-faith visit in the future involving people from other religious communities as well. We were there to tease out and force ourselves to confront what was different about us, and also what was similar about us.”

This process happened against a background of horrific reality – the stark evidence of factory style murder on a massive scale, with the vast dormitories, the chimneys, the crematoria, and the piles of personal possessions stolen from the camp inmates, providing a poignant and at times unbearable backdrop to the discussions and the prayers.

Karenza Passmore, Director of the Religious Resources Centre at Church House, and also in the Durham Diocese, was one of the Christian party, and she says: “It might have happened 65 years ago, but the lessons are still being learned today. I don’t think that people’s tolerance to difference has changed hugely over that period. We can see from Press reports that religious and social intolerance is still as prevalent as it once was.”

However, she adds, “ I think what we understand now about the Nazi regime is the way in which people can be led into mass racial and religious intolerance - which can then result in a political system dramatically killing millions of people.”

There was difference and debate between the two groups who travelled together, but as Karenza says “in the process of discussing those differences we came to see just how much we shared, and how much we could do together to avoid differences between groups of people getting to the point where they become dangerous.”

One of the most heart-rending moments of the trip, Rabbi Lewis reports, was when a member of the Jewish contingent stood outside the gas chamber and read out the names of 20 family members who had been murdered there, including those of his grandparents. Only his father escaped from Auschwitz, rescued by another family member who was able to put up a ransom. “Without that act of generosity, he himself would never have been born.”

But at the same time, Rabbi Lewis adds, there were other moments - specifically a memorial service led by himself and Bishop Martin at the camp – when the very act of witness and shared sorrow offered a sense of hope.

“As we lit candles and the sun was setting there was an uplifting aspect to our service which helped us feel that lessons had been learned. This came on the back of a very emotional time for the group. Later that evening we were able to talk to each other about the things we had seen and felt, not telling each other what to believe nor expecting that everyone had to agree, but simply respecting what the other person was saying.”

For some of the group, one of the most upsetting moments of the trip came not in the camp but in a public square in Kracow, scene of the execution of some 600 Jewish children. The children had filed into the square expecting their daily school lessons, but instead they were led into an alley taken into a field beyond, lined up and shot.

Lesley Carson says: “It seemed impossible to take in that this had happened, but it did. Walking down the alley where the children were taken was extremely harrowing.” And yet Lesley too was able to speak of a moment of peace, standing in a wood in the heart of the camp, where some of the inmates were put to work. “I certainly had a sense of something having been resolved by the fact that we were there, remembering all those who had died and asking what we could do to ensure that nothing like this would ever happen again.”

Bishop Martin reflects: “It was a very worthwhile, illuminating and harrowing visit. To contemplate the extent of the suffering, the violence, the brutality and the death was almost unbearable.

“Although most of those who were killed were Jews, there were also Christians, gypsies and homosexuals who died – all those who didn’t fit. It must never be allowed to happen again.” He adds: “Our party of Jews and Christians grew in their friendship and deepened their understanding. We were all changed by the experience, and we returned with a renewed commitment to work together for peace among ourselves and within our communities, recognising that we are all children of, and ultimately precious to, God.”

Investing in the future of the world

If you’ve never heard of Shared Interest, then regrettably you’re not the only one.

Not only do many people still not know about this radical and innovative way of investing in business projects in the developing world, even more don’t realise that it is based in Newcastle. Recently celebrating its 20th birthday, Shared Interest is an ethical investment company which grew out of Traidcraft. With offices in the Groat Market in Newcastle, it now invests some £33 million pounds annually in fair trade businesses and is active in 36 countries around the world.

Its way of working is wonderfully simple. An initial £100 allows an investor, or investors to open an account. The money is then lent out to fair –trade business projects such as farming and handicrafts. Regular statements detail the account transactions, and further deposits, or withdrawals, can be made by post.

Ruth Taylor, Shared Interest’s support office for the North, is keen to spread the word about Shared Interest and is available to visit parishes and groups to talk about the organisation’s work.

“Investing is ideal for a church or a church group, either for the group itself or for people within the group,” says Ruth. ”People can invest on an individual basis, or four friends can get together and that means just £25 each to get started.”

The businesses in which Shared Interest invests are wide-ranging. Among those currently being supported are a group of Peruvian farmers transforming former mines into coffee growing areas, Kenyan soap stone carvers and farming and craft co-operatives in Rwanda.

While many churches and church groups are now Fair Trade registered, it is not necessary to register in order to become a Shared Interest investor. Meanwhile, the surprise for many people, according to Ruth, is that this, the world’s only 100 % fair trade lender is a local operation. “I talk to local people and they don’t know we’re here,” she laughs. “They think we must be in London.”

Ruth can be contacted on 07825 917443
or on e-mail: Ruth.taylor@shared-interest.com.
For further information visit www.shared-interest.com

Our picture shows Ruth (left) on a recent trip to Costa Rica where she visited projects involving indigenous peoples producing organic fair trade cocoa, bananas and coffee. With her is Hugo Villela, the Shared Interest Regional Development Executive for Central America, and Andrea Wilkinson from the Shared Interest Foundation which provides business training for the new fair trade producers.

How did a Hungarian get to Newcastle?

by Lilla Molnár

My story begins with a “mysterious opportunity.”

At the Evangelical-Lutheran Theological University in Budapest we have varied opportunities for study abroad because our small church community has many relationships with foreign Lutheran churches and universities, not least a companion link with the Diocese of Møre in Norway.

However last year I discovered a new place, a new scholarship: the only one to the UK among a host of German, American and Scandinavian openings. Moreover to go to an Anglican, rather than Lutheran College seemed exotic and three month period perfect for a first adventure in the English speaking world! Newcastle Diocese’s own link with Møre seemed to offer a special opportunity for making new friends with an interest in the Lutheran Church.

The aims of my studies in the College of Resurrection in Mirfield and placement in Newcastle Diocese were to get to understand something of Anglican theology and the Church of England’s daily life (and to practice the language). I pursued these aims in the Lent-term at Mirfield, studying Church History, Ecclesiology and Old Testament as well as participating in services and in the daily life of the community. Catholic Anglicanism seemed very strange at first because my Church has quite a different historical and liturgical tradition, -with a tendency towards much simpler forms of worship.

However I tried to be open minded, and this bore fruit. It was a place of wonderful spiritual experiences especially the sharing of daily prayer and Eucharist. Importantly I learnt to use the periods of silence and my life calmed down for three months! The welcome was very warm -in direct contrast the weather…

Term was followed by Holy Week and Easter in the parish All Saints, Gosforth. I was glad to have this time because I could observe and participate in a lay parish and so compliment the time with a theological community. My hosts (Church Warden Valerie Farthing and Vicar Genny Tunbridge) were endlessly hospitable and I would also very much like to thank the members of the parish for many wonderful meals and conversations in their homes.

This placement was highly instructive making it possible to observe the variety of programs services and organizations which together constitute an Anglican parish. The visit to a care home to share Holy Communion with the residents was especially moving and I enjoyed visiting the toddler group very much too! It was good to participate in worship as diverse as BCP Evensong, Stations of the Cross, Family Worship, and The Ecumenical Act of Witness. The high point was being asked to serve at the Vigil of the Resurrection!

On Holy Monday Bishop Martin generously made himself available for a cup of coffee and answered all of my questions about his work, life in the Diocese of Newcastle and the process of selecting ordination candidates. In Easter Week new friends kindly took me sightseeing in Newcastle, Durham and Holy Island!

My thanks go to all, who organized and supported my time in England, especially Bishop Martin Wharton, The Revd. Alex Faludy, the Anglican-Lutheran Society, the College of Resurrection and the Northern Diocese of the Lutheran Church in Hungary – and also new friends in Mirfield, Gosforth and Manchester. You are all still very much in my thoughts.